Urgent Fury: The Operational Leadership of Vice Admiral Joseph P. Metcalf, III

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA564017 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Vice Admiral Joseph P. Metcalf, III commanded the largest American joint military operation since the Vietnam War on the small Caribbean island of Grenada in 1983. This paper focuses on Metcalfs operational leadership during Operation URGENT FURY. It begins by providing readers an introduction to Metcalfs life, his education and career, and the circumstances that led to Metcalf being named as the operational commander of Combined Joint Task Force 120. Examination of the planning and execution stages of the Grenada invasion illustrate Metcalfs possession of the three theoretical requirements of successful operational leadership certain personality traits including wisdom, good judgment, and emotional balance, a present yet unobtrusive command style, and significant professional knowledge allowing for critical decision making. Discussion topics include the 39 hours Metcalf had to prepare for the invasion, the decisions to bomb Fort Frederick and conduct a Marine amphibious assault at Grand Mal, Metcalfs relationship with General Schwarzkopf, and the now-infamous media policy. The paper concludes with lessons learned from Metcalfs operational leadership performance for current and future leaders, including the Vice Admirals favorite When you are in command, COMMAND

Author(s):
Ward, Samuel D.
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI JOINT MILITARY OPERATIONS DEPT
Descriptive Note:
Research paper
Pagination:
0026

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
NWC/JMO
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_5.4.3_Establish Rule Sets; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_5.5.1_Communicate Intent and Guidance; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_5.2.3_Share Knowledge and Situational Awareness; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance; JCA_3.1_Maneuver; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_3.1.1_Maneuver to Engage; JCA_4_Logistics
Communities of Interest:
Biomedical
Descriptor(s):
*DECISION MAKING, *GRENADA, *INTERVENTION, *JOINT MILITARY ACTIVITIES, *LEADERSHIP, *MILITARY COMMANDERS, *NAVAL PERSONNEL, AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS, BIOGRAPHIES, CAREERS, INTERAGENCY COORDINATION, JUDGEMENT(PSYCHOLOGY), LESSONS LEARNED, MASS MEDIA, MILITARY HISTORY, PERSONALITY, POLICIES
Field(s)/Group(s):
Administration and Management, Humanities and History, Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
Keyword(s):
*GRENADA INVASION, *URGENT FURY OPERATION, *JOSEPH P METCALF III, *OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP, COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE 120, COMMAND STYLE, PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SCHWARZKOPF NORMAN, MEDIA POLICIES, PRESS BAN, MEDIA BLACKOUT, METCALF JOSEPH P
Report Date:
2012 May 04
Creation Date:
2012 Sep 24