Military Leadership & Skill Development

“Writing is a supremely important communication skill for Army officers. One of the most infamous military writing failures occurred at the Battle of Balaclava, leading to the infamous “Charge of the Light Brigade.” An unclear written order from the British commander was misunderstood by his cavalry commander. Instead of moving to prevent the opposing Russian force from repositioning their guns, the cavalry instead charged unsupported into the teeth of the Russian defense, suffering heavy casualties with no decisive effect. Even today, written orders remain the centerpiece of battlefield command and control despite exponential technological advance. Army officers must clearly convey mission, commander’s intent, and tasks to be accomplished in written orders....”

Major Trent J. Lythgoe, U.S. Army. “Flight Simulation for the Brain: Why Army Officers Must Write.” Military Review November-December 2011: 49-56.

The example above describes the importance of communication to effective military leadership. As you describe your military experience, consider how you have developed skills that will be critical to the work you will continue post graduation, whether those skills involve leadership, communication, collaborative skills, and/or technical skills.

Guiding Questions

Describe Military Leadership & Skills

Describe your military leadership experience and the skills that you have developed while serving in the armed forces, whether during active duty, or serving as a member of the Guard or Reserves, or participating as a member of the Corps of Cadets.

How has your personal leadership style changed since you entered into military service?
What are some of the biggest differences that you have seen between effective leadership inside the military environment as compared to successful leadership in a civilian environment?
Which of these leadership traits do you believe will prove to be most valuable to you in your future military career? In the civilian sector?
The military is commonly regarded as a great proving ground for leadership development, but what other skills are most commonly developed by members of the military that might be underappreciated or misunderstood by people who are unfamiliar with military life?

Describe Communication Skills

- What have you learned about oral and written communication from your military experience?
- How do you communicate to different audiences? Provide examples.
- What communication challenges have you faced during your military career? How did you address these challenges?
- What "takeaways" or guiding principles have you learned during your military experience that will advance your military career or that will apply to the work you will do beyond the military?

Provide Details

What were some of the formal ways in which your military leadership was developed early in your career?
How did you prepare for military leadership? What tasks or steps did you complete?
What did the leadership position assume that you already knew?
What were some of the informal or cultural ways in which your military leadership was developed early in your career?
Which mode of training has had the greatest influence on your current leadership style?
What are some of the skills and traits (not MOS-specific) that you consider most closely linked to military service?
How are your experiences inside and outside of the classroom at the Bush School preparing you for your next opportunity rather in the military or beyond?
Describe the relationship between your previous practical experience and classroom theory. How will the combination help you to be a better officer?

Tips

Consider the broader application for specific skills and credentials acquired through your military experience.
Provide clear reasons for the conclusions you draw regarding why a particular skill is valuable.
Use examples and specific details to advance your explanations.
Use your best writing skills to demonstrate strong writing competencies.

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