Modernizing Army Principles for a Contemporary Military
The U.S. Army is undergoing a significant transformation to meet the challenges of modern conflict, and a key part of this transformation is a proposed reinvention of its values. The proposed modernized value framework, LEAD (Loyalty, Empathy, Adaptability, Discipline), aims to align with the mission and moral complexity of current times.
The Army, currently operating in morally gray zones including cyberspace and proxy conflicts, under constant global visibility, needs values that leaders can purposefully enact to keep pace with technological and societal advancements. The current seven core values (LDRSHIP) were developed in the 1990s and may not be suitable for leading today's diverse, technologically advanced, and strategically complex Army.
According to General Randy George, Army Chief of Staff, the battlefield is changing as fast as technology in our pockets, and the Army needs to change as well. He emphasizes that to make LEAD real, the Army must institutionalize it at every touchpoint, including Professional Military Education (PME), evaluations, command climate surveys, doctrine, and recruiting and retention messaging.
Loyalty, as part of the LEAD framework, encompasses strong faithfulness to the Army team, the Constitution, and the nation, as well as adherence to integrity, honesty, and what is morally right. Empathy, under the LEAD framework, is essential for leading varied teams and operating in culturally complex environments, and it involves understanding, valuing, and uplifting others' perspectives.
Discipline, in the context of the LEAD framework, is the internal commitment to routinely and consistently do what's right, even when no one's watching or there isn't a specific requirement. Adaptability, within the LEAD framework, is the mental and physical agility to respond with intention to ambiguity and rapid change.
Some LDRSHIP values, such as honor and integrity, lack clarity and enforceability, while others, like personal courage and selfless service, are not often or readily displayed. The proposed LEAD values aim to promote mental agility over rote adherence and provide values that leaders can purposefully enact to morally, ethically, and intellectually keep pace with modern conflict.
The article "LEAD: Eine moderne Armeekodex - für eine neue Art des Führens" was written by Gabriela Schwarz, highlighting the need for a modernized value system in the Army. The transformation of the Army's values is a significant step towards ensuring the Army remains a strong and effective force in the face of the complexities of modern conflict.
