What is the primary mission of the United States Army War College?

The U.S. Army War College's primary mission is to prepare selected high-potential military and civilian leaders for duties of increased responsibility at the strategic level.

What kind of learning model does the Army War College use?

The college employs a unique adult learning model that capitalizes on the experience of its students, facilitated by a diverse faculty using methods like dialogue, experiential exercises, and research.

How is the culture of the U.S. Army focused on development?

The U.S. Army has a culture of development and succession planning where every soldier is always preparing to assume the next level of responsibility.

What are the core functions of the Department of the Army?

According to the Army Chief of Staff, the Department of the Army has two main functions: to build leaders and to provide trained and ready units to combatant commanders.

Strategic Leadership Development: Army War College Model

The Imperative for Strategic Leadership

The United States Army War College is tasked with preparing high-potential military and civilian leaders for strategic-level responsibilities. Within the U.S. Army, leadership is the core currency, and the institution is built around two primary functions: building leaders and providing trained units for national service. This creates an embedded culture of development and succession planning, driven by the practical needs of the profession of arms, where every member is constantly preparing to assume the next level of responsibility.

The Army War College Educational Model

With a century-long history of developing renowned leaders, the Army War College excels in senior leader development through a distinct approach to adult education. The model is built on leveraging the extensive experience of its students.

A diverse, multi-disciplinary faculty guides the educational process, applying a variety of pedagogical methods that prioritize dialogue and interaction. This approach is supplemented with more traditional academic methods to create a comprehensive learning environment.

Key Pedagogical Methods

The curriculum and instruction at the college are designed for experienced adult learners and include:

Dialogue: Small group instruction and seminar-based learning emphasize active discussion and sharing of perspectives.
Experiential Learning: Practical, hands-on exercises, such as the Strategy Crisis Exercise, allow students to apply concepts in simulated environments.
Focused Research: Students engage in research to deepen their understanding of specific strategic issues.
Lectures: Traditional lectures from expert faculty provide foundational knowledge and context.

This blend of methods is a result of decades of study and refinement, making the Army War College one of the most respected and studied leadership institutions within the military. The college actively shares its findings and collaborates with other government agencies, academic institutions, and private industry through various symposia and workshops.

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United States Army War College