"The School of Hard Knocks: Combat Leadership in the American Expeditionary Forces"
As the Great War raged across Europe, America faced a wide range of challenges, including developing and training junior and non-commissioned offers (NCOs). Advances in warfare technology and training techniques evolved at an astounding rate, forcing the U.S. Army to maintain equivalence with, or even surpass, the professionalism in the armies of her allies and enemies. The U.S. rapidly adapted the Army's training methods to create the leaders the growing Army needed. In his book, The School of Hard Knocks: Combat Leadership in the American Expeditionary Forces (Texas A&M University Press), Dr. Richard Shawn Faulkner highlights the flaws and successes of the U.S. Army in preparing junior officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) for their positions on the front lines. With increased responsibility and a lack of necessary training, many Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants did not understand the skills required to excel at their deadly profession. Not until they experienced combat did these leaders emerge with the skill sets necessary to lead men into battle. Dr. Faulkner's lecture will review the flaws of officer training efforts during World War I and will closely examine the leaders, and the men they commanded, as we hope to glean important lessons about military leadership today.
Length: 63 Minutes
Lecture Date: November 7, 2013