Critical Thinking and Army Religious Leadership

<p>The United States Army is changing and so must the chaplaincy. At the heart of the ongoing Army transformation is a critical thinking (CT) approach to problem solving and decision-making. Given the many complex choices Army leaders face on a daily basis the Army considers CT to be an essential leader skill and requires its leaders to become critical thinkers. Consequently to remain relevant in a critical thinking Army it is essential that chaplains need not only be educated on CT but also that they understand what it portends for their religious leadership of the Army. Particularly as chaplains face new challenges and assume new responsibilities some outside the area of their traditional expertise or training CT skills will become even more crucial. Its shortcomings notwithstanding CT is vital to Army religious leadership. However to realize the value of CT to religious leadership in the pluralistic environment of the Army will require a broader understanding of religious ministry. Consequently chaplains must overcome certain intellectual theological and psychological (emotional) challenges to foster coherent intellectual and theological alignment of their beliefs and ministerial practices. This study explores the relevance of CT to Army religious leadership by examining its meaning characteristics purpose and requirements; outlining its strengths and weaknesses; and analyzing the challenges it poses as well as its utility for Army religious leadership.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>