United States Army War College Strategic Leadership Primer

PREFACE TO 3rd EDITION


The original edition of the Strategic Leadership Primer, published in 1998, served the

U.S. Army War College (USAWC) well as a basic overview of Strategic Leadership. Written

by Dr. Rod Magee with the assistance of several other faculty members, it was intended as

an orientation reading for students arriving at the USAWC whose backgrounds were

primarily in the tactical and operational field environment. The Primer was useful because

there was no other adequate work that described and defined strategic leadership in terms that

could be understood and applied by USAWC students.


A 2nd edition was published in 2004 and edited by Colonel (Ret) Steve Shambach. This

3rd edition updates significant portions of the Primer, especially Chapters 1, 2, and 3 and

also adds a chapter on decision making (Chapter 5). It is not that the nature of strategic

leadership has changed drastically, rather this edition preserves the salient features of

the original editions. It is updated with contemporary literature and examples to sustain the

Primer’s relevance.


The editor acknowledges the tremendous contributions of Colonel Murf Clark and

Professor Charles Allen, along with editing assistance from Commander Traci Keegan and

Dr. Richard Meinhart, while also acknowledging previous edition contributions from Dr.

Lenny Wong, Dr. Craig Bullis, and Colonel (Ret) George Reed.


SUBJECTS By CHAPTER:


1. Strategic Leadership Primer


2.  Understanding and Communication through Narratives


3.  Film - Big Picture: Battalion Commander (B&W; Public Domain; 1960s)


A Battalion Commander holds one of the most responsible and respected jobs in the Army--representing, in his single experience, a career of national service and Army leadership. Under his command are hundreds of men, machines and weapons - forged together into a thunderbolt representing many thousands of dollars in the nation's investment in military security. This film focuses on crowded days in the life of the commander of an armored battalion in West Germany.


4.  Film - Big Picture: What Makes a General (B&W; Public Domain; 1960s)


Preparing selected Army officers for the highest command and general staff positions in the Army is the mission of the Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It is the top of the ladder in the Army's educational system. From Washington's time to the present day of missiles and atomic warheads, we have looked to the Generals for leadership in maintaining our liberty and security from foreign oppression. This film examines and answers the question, "What makes these men tick -- the Generals?"


5. Film - Big Picture: Top Soldier (B&W; Public Domain; 1960s)


Since the creation of the National Security Act in 1947, which might be considered to coincide with the beginning of the modern Army, four men have held down the role of "top soldier"--the awesomely demanding job of Army Chief of Staff. In this episode of THE BIG PICTURE, the camera's attention is focused on the lives of these four generals and their contributions to the Army: General J. Lawton Collins, General Matthew B. Ridgway, General Maxwell D. Taylor and General Lyman L. Lemnitzer.


6. Film - Moral Leadership: The Whole Man (B&W; Public Domain; 1963)


An Air Force sergeant faces moral and psychological dilemmas.


7. Film - Marine Corps Combat Leadership Skills (Color; Public Domain; 1986)


Actor and WWII veteran Lee Marvin narrates this USMC training film on combat leadership.