HOW SHOULD GREEN BERETS BE LED?
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Authors
Kertzman, Benjamin J.
Subjects
leadership
special forces
management
special forces
management
Advisors
Lester, Paul
Date of Issue
2024-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Army Special Forces has an information gap. While the Special Forces regiment collects an array of data on its officers, it lacks a deliberate formal way to assess and select its company commanders. The current selection process relies on records review, interviews, and reputation assessment. While senior leader judgment is valuable—and should play an important role in this selection—this thesis asserts that establishing agreed upon standards based on data and empirical evidence will improve both the selection process and the overall quality of leaders serving as company commanders.Using survey methodology, this thesis defines the attributes Special Forces company commanders should have and what practices they should use to prepare their company for its mission. Additionally, it describes how various demographic groups within the Special Forces community differ in how they prioritize these attributes. This survey was based on previous occupational studies of Special Forces competencies and current organizational leadership research.Results indicate that respondents consistently ranked the leader attributes of integrity and intelligence as the most important qualities needed in company commanders. Significant variation between how officers and NCOs defined their ideal leader, which suggests that commanders may need to change their leadership approach based on the specific group they are leading. Leadership development based on these findings may help address this.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
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NPS Report Number
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Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.