The Learning Army, Approaching the 21st Century as a Learning Organization.

Abstract : As we approach the 21st century, the US Army faces a world of unprecedented change and turbulence across virtually the entire spectrum of its activities and functions. To successfully navigate this change and turbulence, the Army must be able to learn at the individual and organizational level with increasing speed and effectiveness in order to succeed. The concept of the learning organization and its associated disciplines provides an effective road map for navigating significant change. Members of a true learning organization practice learning disciplines and skills with the same effectiveness as the technical skills of their organization, and the organization creates learning mechanisms which enhance learning. A review of the Army's learning skills and structures reveals many strengths. However, there are still obstacles to maximizing the Army's learning capabilities, primarily in the way leaders are trained and educated and how they are managed. By providing both theoretical and practical education in the learning disciplines and skills, and reinforcing those skills in the performance and assignment management of its leaders, the Army can become a true learning organization, and successfully transition into the 21st century.