ABSTRACT
Regardless of the equipment, materiel, logistics, or the organization and tactics, successful armies depend on well-trained soldiers and highly developed leaders. Although it has been said that armies fi ght on their stomachs, which emphasizes the importance of logistical support, armies win through the leadership that creates and implements effective responses to the spectrum of conventional and nonconventional threats (e.g., terrorism) faced around the world. Effective leadership begins with leader development. The Army’s leader development system is emphasized by many senior leaders as a critical component in its ability to effectively serve the nation. But what do we really know about the process of leader development? Army doctrine speaks of a progressive and sequential growth process. But does this provide a meaningful framework for Army leader development? Is it consistent with what is known about adult development, skill acquisition, and other related bodies of research?
