Developing Adaptive Leaders: The Crucible Experience of Operation Iraqi Freedom

v, [1], 23, [3] pages. Endnotes, List of Acronyms. Some slight wear to the cover edges. The Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) is part of the U.S. Army War College and is the strategic level study agent for issues related to national security and military strategy with emphasis on geostrategic analysis. Studies produced by civilian and military analysts concern topics having strategic implications for the Army, the Department of Defense, and the larger national security community. Paraphrased from the Foreword by Douglas C, Lovelace, Jr., SSI's Director: The author examines the Operation Iraqi Freedom environment and concludes that the complexity, unpredictability, and ambiguity of postwar Iraq is producing a cohort of innovative, confident, and adaptable junior officers. They are learning to make decisions in chaotic conditions and to be mentally agile in executing counterinsurgency and nation-building operations simultaneously. As a result, the Army will soon have a cohort of company grade officers who are accustomed to operating independently, taking the initiative, and adapting to changes. The author warns that the Army must now acknowledge and encourage this newly developed adaptability in our junior officers or risk stifling the innovation critically needed in the Army's future leaders. Leonard Wong served in the Army for over 20 years, including teaching leadership at West Point, and he is a Research Professor of Military Strategy in the SSI at the U.S. Army War College, who focuses on the human and organizational dimensions of the military.…