Strategic Studies Institute

Military Culture Studies

Added February 08, 2012

Type: Monograph

Once Again, the Challenge to the U.S. Army During a Defense Reduction: To Remain a Military Profession. Authored by Dr. Don M. Snider.

The exact shape of the recently initiated Department of Defense reductions and the defense strategy that our down-sized land forces are to execute in the future are only now becoming clear. How can the U.S. Army best meet these challenges?

Added December 16, 2011

Type: Letort Papers

Real Leadership and the U.S. Army: Overcoming a Failure of Imagination to Conduct Adaptive Work. Authored by Colonel John B. Richardson, IV.

This is a case study of a cavalry squadron struggling with operational adaptability. Through this struggle, the study provides a means for analyzing the complexity of organizational leadership in the contemporary security environment. The case study provides an example where hard fought lessons learned resulted in a more holistic approach to leadership, because the leader transcended that of simply being an authority figure, and instead, become a real leader who provided a safe and creative learning environment where the organization was able to tackle and solve complex problems.

Added April 08, 2011

Type: "Of Interest"

Army Strong--Really? Authored by COL (R) Charles D. Allen, COL (R) Charles D. Allen.

The author outlines the past, present, and future of the Profession of Arms.

Added March 29, 2011

Type: Monograph

Resolving Ethical Challenges in an Era of Persistent Conflict. Authored by Colonel Tony Pfaff.

In this provocative monograph, COL Tony Pfaff argues that the challenges of combating irregular threats have fundamentally challenged the traditional “ethics of war,” and he offers a number of measures and policies that the Army must adopt if it is to not only successfully, but ethically, respond to these challenges.

Added September 10, 2010

Type: Letort Papers

An Army Transformed: The U.S. Army's Post-Vietnam Recovery and the Dynamics of Change in Military Organizations. Authored by Lieutenant Colonel Suzanne C. Nielsen.

Drawing on the literature on military innovation and reform, the author examines an important case of military change: the transformation of the U.S. Army in the 2 decades preceding the Persian Gulf War of 1991. The findings of this study have significant implications for how the U.S. Army should think about implementing changes needed today to meet new strategic, economic, and technological challenges.

Added September 02, 2010

Type: Letort Papers

Is the Organizational Culture of the U.S. Army Congruent with the Professional Development of Its Senior Level Officer Corps? Authored by Dr. James G. Pierce.

In this study of the organizational culture of the U.S. Army, Dr. Pierce has reviewed a previously assumed but unverified connection between organizational culture and professional development. The study has uncovered a lack of congruence between the dominant type of organizational culture of the U.S. Army and the professional managerial/leadership skills of its senior level leaders. This observed lack of congruence may be inhibiting performance and unconsciously perpetuating a cycle of caution and an overreliance on stability and control. The data indicate that the U.S. Army is illustrative of an organization that emphasizes stability and control, and one that attempts to comprehend the ambiguity of the future through an unconscious reliance upon the successful solutions employed in the past.

Added August 05, 2010

Type: Monograph

Organizing to Compete in the Political Terrain. Authored by Dr. Nadia Schadlow.

The degree to which military forces can and should shape the political landscape during war--that is, who rules contested terriroty--is at the root of several ongoing debates about how to restructure the U.S. Army. Decisions about the military's appropriate role in shaping political outcomes in war are fundamental to resolving these debates and will determine the degree of organizational and educational changes that the U.S. Army must make to meet current and future security threats.

Added July 20, 2010

Type: Monograph

Got Vision? Unity of Vision in Policy and Strategy: What It Is and Why We Need It. Authored by Dr. Anna Simons.

Having the right "who" to devise strategy is critical to success in counterinsurgency or any asymmetric, cross-cultural encounter. This monograph contends that if we do not get the "who" right, none of the "whats," in terms of what we do, matters.

Added May 10, 2010

Type: Op-Ed

Untangling a New Gordian Knot: Don't Ask, Don’t Tell, and Alexander’s Sword. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong, Professor Douglas C. Lovelace, Jr..

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the May 2010 newsletter.

Added May 05, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Employing Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Historically, the U.S. Army has employed its officers to good effect, but is there need for improvement? Does its current assignments paradigm lead to optimal career satisfaction and productivity? Does it allow officers to develop the depth and breadth of talent the Army needs? Perhaps most importantly, does the Army really know enough about the officer talent it possesses, as well as the requirements for that talent?

Added March 29, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Developing Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

The U.S. Army is almost universally acknowledged as an organization that powerfully develops talent in areas such as leadership, teamwork behavior, work ethics, adaptability, fitness, and many others. Employers know that the Army invests substantially in its people, and that this investment translates directly into enhanced productivity. Despite this well-earned reputation, however, are the Army’s current officer development programs equal to tomorrow’s challenges? Does it suffer from a growing imbalance in talent supply versus demand? Perhaps most importantly, is there an effective relationship between its developmental and employment strategies?

Added February 19, 2010

Type: Monograph

Accessing Talent: The Foundation of a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Organizations often focus their recruiting efforts on high-payoff markets--how does the Army identify the right market in which to focus its officer accessions efforts? What role does education play in officer accessions? How does the Army identify and go about meeting its officer diversity requirements? Why is establishing the proper ratio between commissioning sources so important?

Added February 03, 2010

Type: Op-Ed

A Death Knell for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Authored by Professor John R. Martin.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the February 2010 newsletter.

Added February 01, 2010

Type: Monograph

The Army Officers' Professional Ethic--Past, Present, and Future. Authored by Colonel Matthew Moten.

Do you think the Army officer corps needs a clear statement of its professional ethic? Colonel Matthew Moten does, and he has written it in one page. Join the debate.

Added January 28, 2010

Type: Monograph

The Effects of Multiple Deployments on Army Adolescents. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong, Dr. Stephen Gerras.

Frequent U.S. Army deployments increase the burden on children who must face the stress and strain of separation and anxiety. The authors take a much-needed, detailed look at the effects of multiple deployments on Army adolescents.

Added January 15, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Retaining Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Why have Army junior officer retention rates plummeted since 1983? Are the root causes truly understood? What are the long term consequences of failing to retain talented young officers? What steps has the Army taken to meet this challenge, and how effective have they been? What must the Army do to restore junior officer retention rates to previously healthy levels?

Added October 28, 2009

Type: Monograph

Talent: Implications for a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

What is the difference between competent and talented? What is talent, and which people have it? What talents should the United States Army seek in its officers? Most importantly, what are the consequences of failing to create an officer talent management system?

Added October 06, 2009

Type: Monograph

The Army's Professional Military Ethic in an Era of Persistent Conflict. Authored by Dr. Don M. Snider, Major Paul Oh, Major Kevin Toner.

As the character of conflict in the 21st century evolves, the Army’s strength will continue to rest on our values, our ethos, and our people. Our Soldiers and leaders must remain true to these values as they operate in increasingly complex environments where moral-ethical failures can have strategic implications.

Added September 16, 2009

Type: Student (Carlisle) Papers

Baghdad ER--Revisited. Authored by Colonel Erin P Edgar.

The China Dragons of the 28th Combat Support Hospital deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from September 2006 until November 2007. Their service epitomizes the strides that have been made in military combat medicine.

Added February 27, 2009

Type: Op-Ed

Training for the “Political” War. Authored by COL Louis H. Jordan, Jr.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the March 2009 newsletter.

Added July 15, 2008

Type: Colloquium Brief

Civil-Military Relations in a Post-9/11 World. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong.

The participants in this colloquium sought to examine three general areas: the roles and responsibilities of military leaders and changes in the relationship between civilian and military leaders. Experts from the military, government, and academia presented their not-for-attribution assessments and recommendations for further increasing U.S. effectiveness in civil-military relations.

Added March 12, 2008

Type: Monograph

Drug Intoxicated Irregular Fighters: Complications, Dangers, and Responses. Authored by Dr. Paul Rexton Kan.

The presence of drugged fighters is not unknown in the history of warfare. Irregular fighters have found a ready supply of narcotics for a variety of combat purposes. Such consumption has led to unpredictable fighting, the commission of atrocities, and to the prolongation of internal violence.

Added January 24, 2008

Type: Student (Carlisle) Papers

Women in Combat Compendium. Edited by Colonel Michele M. Putko, Dr. Douglas V. Johnson, II.

The topic of Women in Combat has been one of great emotion, but uncertain factual content until recently. The rules created to deal with the fact that women want to serve in the armed forces have ranged from silly to serious, but the factual bases have changed and the plea of all the contributors is to review the entire issue with objectivity and attention to the facts as they exist.

Added January 04, 2008

Type: Op-Ed

Intrepidity . . . And Character Development within the Army Profession. Authored by Dr. Don M. Snider.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the January 2008 newsletter.

Added September 10, 2007

Type: Op-Ed

Grunts and Jarheads: Rethinking the Army-Marine Division of Labor. Authored by Dr. Steven Metz.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the September 2007 newsletter.

Added July 09, 2007

Type: Op-Ed

Knowing when to Salute. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong, Professor Douglas C. Lovelace, Jr..

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the July 2007 newsletter.

Added October 04, 2006

Type: Op-Ed

Fashion Tips for the Field Grade. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the October 2006 newsletter.

Added April 01, 2001

Type: Book

Political Control over the Use of Force: A Clausewitzian Perspective. Authored by Lieutenant Colonel Suzanne C. Nielsen.

The author addresses the issues regarding the ideal relationship between the commander and the statesman in time of war and the balance between political control and military operational expertise by examining what Carl von Clausewitz has to say about civil- military relations and the use of force. She looks in depth at Clausewitz s arguments, reviews his theoretical approach, and discusses four key implications of the basic idea that political purposes govern war.

Added October 01, 2000

Type: Monograph

Generations Apart: Xers and Boomers in the Officer Corps. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong.

The author points out that Generation X officers are more confident in their abilities, perceive loyalty differently, want more balance between work and family, and are not intimidated by rank.

Added June 01, 1999

Type: Book

Population Diversity and the U.S. Army. Edited by Colonel Lloyd J. Matthews, USA Ret., Tinaz Pavri.

It is an anthology of selected presentations that not only portrays the main challenges confronting those who must staff the future force in the face of unprecedented demographic flux, but also provides the attitudes and hopes of women and minorities who are part of today's Army.

Added June 01, 1997

Type: Book

The Evolution in Military Affairs: Shaping the Future U.S. Armed Forces. Authored by Professor Douglas C. Lovelace, Jr..

Professor Douglas Lovelace articulates the exigent need to begin preparing the U.S. armed forces for the international security environment which will succeed the post-Cold War era. He defines national security interests, describes the future international security environment, identifies derivative future national security objectives and strategic concepts, and discerns the military capabilities