Creating The Pentathlete: Are We Willing to Pay the Price?

Abstract

Abstract : This paper provides an analysis of the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army's concept for Army Leaders of the 21st Century- Pentathlete. The paper focuses on the criticality of instilling the skills and attributes of into the Army's junior officers (Lieutenants - Majors). It examines the nature of the Pentathlete concept; its skills and attributes, historical basis, why it is relevant in the Contemporary Operational Environment (COE), why it is necessary to instill elements of the Pentathlete into our junior officers, specific institutional, organizational, cultural ideas to accomplish this, the challenges and risks associated with creating such a multi-skilled and multi-faceted officer - especially with regard to junior officers. This paper also provides, in order to provide perspective and comparison, results of a study conducted by the History Department at the US Military Academy which identifies the historical traits of successful combat leaders. Input is based on three primary sources: (1) discussions, interviews, and written surveys expressing the views and experiences of US Army, Marine Corps, British, and Australian Officers (Infantry, Armor and Special Forces) attending and instructing at the Captain's Career Course at the Maneuver Center at Fort Benning, Georgia and US Army Majors (all branches) attending Command and General Staff College (CGSC) and the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; (2) Leadership in Combat: An Historical Appraisal - conducted by the Department of History United States Military Academy, 1984; (3) discussions with senior US Army Leaders with service as combat leaders in Iraq or Afghanistan; and (4) the Army Chief of Staffs concept for Growing Army Leaders in the 21st Century - The Pentathlete.