Eliminating Micromanagement and Embracing a Mission Command Culture

United States Army leaders often struggle with micromanagement, weakening the Army's ability to fully embrace a Mission Command culture. In effort to establish a culture similar to the Germans during the inter-war period, the Army officially adopted its command and control doctrine known as Mission Command. However, many obstacles stand in the way of its full adoption. At the forefront of these issues is the tolerance of micromanagement among Army leaders. Several aspects of the Army feed this tendency including core aspects grounded in French military culture, risk aversion among leaders, and rigid methods of conducting professional military education. Moreover, technological advances in information sharing and communication allow commanders to hold decision making authorities at higher levels than necessary. Consequently, the Army must develop a sense of urgency within the organization to eliminate micromanagement and fully embrace a Mission Command culture. This culture is necessary if the Army expects to effectively prepare for a future great power conflict.