Institutionalized Crucible Experiences within Intermediate-Level Education: Case Studies include Navy Seals, POWs Louie Zamparini and Admiral Stockdale, and Apollo 13 Flight Director Eugene Kranz

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This study explores the impact that crucible experiences have on leadership and leader development. This impact is specifically applied against the effects, both positive and negative, of implementing a crucible experience within Intermediate-Level Education across all military services within the Department of Defense and how this would affect the experience and leadership development for junior field grade officers. The current adult education model and curriculum meets the intent of developing leaders, but previous research has shown that crucible experiences can create extraordinary leaders. Evidence within this thesis implies that crucible experiences enable leaders to emerge stronger, more engaged, and more committed than ever. The intent of this study is to assist each of the services' Intermediate-Level Education curriculum development experts with future revisions to their programs and to form more effective learning experiences for junior field grade officers.

CONTENTS * CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION * Overview * Secondary Research Questions * Assumptions * Definitions * CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW * Overview * Category Development * Leadership * Crucible Experience * Case Studies * Summary * CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY * Overview * Identification and Isolation of the Problem * Development of a Hypothesis * Organization of the Findings * Formation of Conclusions * Summary * CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS * Overview * Crucible Experience Defined * Crucible Truths * Crucible Leadership * Research Questions * Can Crucible Experiences Increase the Attributes of Effective Leadership; if so, which Attributes? * What are the Potential Negative Impacts Associated with Crucible Experiences? * Can Institutionalized Crucible Experiences be Effectively Created in an Education and Training Environment? * Can an Institutionalized Crucible Experience Provide Concrete Context and Increase the Effectiveness of In-class Adult Education? * Are there any Additional Positive Benefits of Crucible Experiences to an Organization? * Summary * CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION * Overview * Recommendation * Parameters * Summary * BIBLIOGRAPHY