Good advice for the Army on how to manage officers more productively

Best Defense is in summer reruns. Here is an item that originally ran on June 6, 2016.

Offered by the estimable Tami Davis Biddle, in the new, spring issue of Parameters:

“This will require some cultural shifts, some breaking of old pat­terns, and some limited (and, I believe, short-term) risk. Opportunities for officer education outside the Army — especially for advanced degrees like MAs, MBAs, and PhDs from civilian universities — must not be seen as diversions from the ‘warrior path.’ Instead, they should be regarded as welcome opportunities to enhance crucial skill sets and build comfort (and contacts) in the civilian world. Unconventional assignments — serving as a defense attaché, working with the U.N., or teaching in a PME setting — ought not to be seen as career killers but as career enhancers. Right now the Army punishes people for doing the very things they need to do in order to acquire the abilities the Army is convinced it needs.”

(My italics)

Also, on page 123, this blog (including its commenters, which is to say, you) gets a nice shoutout.

Photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense