Junior Officer Institutional Leadership Education: Is the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) Meeting the Challenge

摘要

Junior Officers are finding themselves in situations in which their decisions have strategic consequences, not only for the Army but for the Nation. As an Army at war, it is imperative that we prepare these leaders for the challenges they will face in the complex environments in which they are expected to operate. Additionally, these junior Soldiers are the future leaders of our Army and Nation. Hence, it is paramount that the Army begin developing strategic leaders at the earliest opportunity. This paper discusses, analyzes, and makes recommendations about junior officer leader development in its Basic Officer Leadership Courses (BOLCs): BOLC I (West Point, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and Officer Candidate School (OCS)), BOLC II, and BOLC III with respect to the curriculum, standards, and resources. This paper concludes with recommendations on how to continue or improve junior officer leader development at Army institutions to meet the Chief of Staff of the Army's vision for future leaders.