Mission Command Research Paper

Mission Command is the use of authoritative guidance by a leader using orders to enact initiative within the commander’s intent. Intended to act as a guidance, it is used in order to build adaptive leaders in the proper manner and conduct expected by the U.S. Army. Unlike concepts such as Troop Leading Procedures, mission command is not a methodical process that a leader can just strictly follow. Mission Command is guided by several principles. These principles aid leaders in applying the art of command with the science of control when facing situations. These principles consist of building cohesiveness through mutual trust, creating shared understanding, providing clear commander’s intent, exercising disciplined initiative, using mission …show more content…
It is in our doctrine, training, and education. As a leader, I need to establish an environment that allows subordinates to apply the principles and practice fostering a culture that enables mission command. As a leader, I would need to create a universal understanding of mission command. The Army enables leaders to create a basis of understanding in multiple ways. One example, is doctrine like ADP 6-0 as a framework to explain the theory of mission command. In order to create a proper environment, Army leaders accept that universal understanding of mission command in an organization such as the Army is difficult and takes personal commitment. As platoon leader, I want my subordinates to succeed in their careers. By allowing them to directly assist me in leader planning processes at certain times, it assists them in the future. I want to create a constant learning environment. For example, instead of personally planning an event like FTX or gun range that my platoon was assigned to coordinate for company level training, I would want my team and squad leaders to conduct measures such as troop-leading procedures for the event. This would act as a collaborative learning atmosphere while still under my instruction and supervision. After observing the planning process, they would execute and refine the event based on the commander’s and their intent. My example is simple, but I want to ensure that my subordinates …show more content…
I consider counseling in the form of a professional environment between a platoon leader and subordinates. I also would consider casual a twenty minute talk with a newest member in my platoon who just arrived from basic training counseling as well. The latter example is for developing trust within my organization. If soldiers and subordinate leaders believe their higher leaders truly care about them, a higher leader will possibly have an easier time achieving the level of trust needed in an organization that uses mission command during wartime and peace.
A remaining critical aspect needed to foster a positive environment is developing a culture that enables mission command. Developing a culture in any organization is one of the most difficult tasks a leader can have. This takes an immense amount of time and effort. The most important piece of developing a culture that fosters mission command is an organization that shares in its successes and failures as one whole group. Not one leader in an organization should ever believe his individual successes or failures were the most critical factors if the organization achieved its goals or not. However, at the same time, subordinates need to understand that leaders entrust subordinates to take control of a situation and make the best decision possible during that

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