The Marshall Approach: The Battle Command Training Program and 21st-Century Leader Development

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Remember this: the truly great leader overcomes all difficulties, and campaigns and battles are nothing but a long series of difficulties to be overcome ... the real leader displays his quality in his triumphs over adversity, however great it may be. --General George Marshall (1) PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING an army can do to prepare for war in an era of persistent conflict is develop agile and adaptive leaders capable of engaging across the spectrum of conflict and who are equally at home on the tactical battlefield, the strategic headquarters, or the halls of government. This is no small task and can only be accomplished with a combination of education, training, and experience. It cannot happen by accident. A career that encompasses all the requisite components should be deliberately cultivated in officers with promise. The obvious historical example of the application and product of this kind of leader development was General George C. Marshall: chief of staff of the Army during World War II, rebuilder of postwar Europe, secretary of defense, secretary of state, and Nobel Peace Prize winner. His credentials as both Soldier and statesman are sterling. What was unique about his career path that prepared General Marshall for the extraordinary challenges of his generation? From the outset of his career he was consistently exposed to a level of leadership and training above the grade in which he was assigned. He was known for his organizational expertise, ability to identify and groom leaders, and forming and sustaining relationships with civilian leaders. Marshall was a product of a diverse series of assignments that included serving as an aide-de-camp and chiefs of staff at division and above and at various tactical and training commands. The BCTP Assignment Where do you find the opportunity in today's high-tempo environment to build on existing education and develop an appreciation for the complexities of leadership at the next level of command and beyond? One assignment that stands out in its ability to afford an officer the opportunity to grow and develop is the Combined Arms Center's Battle Command Training Program (BCTP). BCTP has the mission to develop current, relevant, campaign-quality, Joint, and expeditionary battle command instincts and skills in senior commanders. BCTP does this at all levels-Army service component command, corps, Joint task force, division, and brigade. An assignment to BCTP offers a unique, professionally broadening experience that encompasses three broad categories: professional study, exposure to multiple echelons of command at brigade and above, and mentoring by the Army's senior leadership. Having the time to conduct professional study and inquiry is essential to leader development. BCTP provides that in several ways. First, it is a place to become intimately acquainted with current Army doctrine. Second, it exposes officers to Army training methodology and exercise design. Third, it provides officers an opportunity to complete an advanced degree. And finally, it allows officers to remain engaged with units deploying to combat by conducting theater reconnaissance with deploying units and participating in battle command seminars linked to theater commanders. Let's look at each of these developmental opportunities in turn. Doctrine Between World War I and World War II, General Marshall was instrumental in reviewing doctrine and capturing the lessons learned from directing the publication of Infantry In Battle in 1939, the main reference used to train Infantry Officers during World War II. (2) An assignment in BCTP affords the opportunity to review existing doctrine and review and contribute to emerging doctrine and practices. Each operations group provides a robust certification program designed to produce an observer trainer who is grounded in current doctrine and able to lead discussions with our senior officers in brigade to Army service component command formations. …