Changing Army Culture: Creating Adaptive and Critical Thinking Officer Corps

As an open system organization the Army is constantly affected by variations in the environment that should ultimately spark change in the way Army leaders view, approach, and resolve problems. But this ability to demonstrate mental agility and adapt effectively is, unfortunately, not always the case. The world is evolving, threats are changing, and the organizational force structure is in the process of a significant transformation. The boat has left the Information-age dock and - although some of the Army's leaders and institutional cadres are on board - most are still trying to figure out how to use the mechanism required for buying a ticket to the ride. The Army has been able to identify the need for changes required in our institutional culture, but the road ahead is complex. Indeed changing the Army culture is easier said than done. This SRP reviews research on the complexities and factors that need to be considered when taking on the challenge of changing military culture. It concludes with recommendations for establishment of a framework to change the culture in order to successfully develop adaptive, critical thinking skills in future Army strategic leaders.