Transforming Effective Army Units: Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Abstract : The research produced lessons learned and best practices for transforming units across the relevant doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) and cultural domains, as well as shares strategies for resolving operational requirements with limited personnel. A review of military, business, and behavioral research literature served as a foundation for the research on lessons learned. Interviews were conducted with reserve and active duty Stryker leaders to further explore the issues associated with transformation. A total of 62 lessons learned or best practices regarding Culture, Personnel, Organization, Leadership and Education, and Training were derived from the literature and interviews. The focus groups identified 20 operational needs where strategies for selecting and training can effectively build necessary unit capabilities. The findings contributed to the development of four products: a matrix for identifying when specific issues will be encountered, a glide path for transformation best practices, a smart card for culture change, and matrix of strategies for resolving new operational needs.