Faithin Omaha eBook Collection

Download or read book Debunking the Myth of the Strategic Corporal written by Thomas M. Feltey and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In 1999 General Charles Krulak introduced to the United States Marine Corps the concept of the strategic corporal in the widely read essay 'The Strategic Corporal: Leadership in the Three Block War.' General Krulak indicated that, given the modern battlefield's new character, the actions of a Marine corporal have strategic impact. Over the last decade, the term strategic corporal became mythologized within the military culture; forever associated with negative consequences. Leaders now are concerned with the perceived risk to a strategic outcome emanating from the lowest of levels. In an effort to manage this perceived risk, senior leaders have elevated decision authorities far away from anyone but themselves. A thorough analysis of a series of contemporary historical case studies debunks the myth of the strategic corporal and demonstrates that tactical level incidents alone do not alter the strategic outcome of a conflict. The conclusion of this paper restores balance and demonstrates errors in policy or strategic level decisions ultimately affect the outcome of an operation and because the strategic corporal is a myth, recommends joint and service doctrine must be purged while reinforcing the essential elements of mission command. "--Abstract