Human Dimensions of Battle Command: A Behavioral Science Perspective on the Artof Battle Command

摘要

In response to a request from GEN Frederick F. Franks, Jr., (Ret.), thenCommander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) has undertaken a research initiative addressing the Art of Battle Command. This paper represents a first step. Here we examine what and how the behavioral science community can now contribute to improving effective Battle Command, what knowledge gaps we need to fill, and what future research requirements we anticipate based on our understanding of the likely impact of technology and the Army's changing role and missions. We discuss our understanding of Battle Command, placing the concept into historical perspective to illuminate some of the issues. We identify and discuss the human dimensions of leadership and command, and begin an integration of relevant research findings and their implications for Battle Command. We suggest immediate applications of those findings to improve Battle Command today as well as discuss the relevance of today's research to Battle Command on tomorrow's battlefield.