Generalship and the Art of Senior Command

<p>Based on a review of the literature this study identifies the qualities and attributes of successful senior commanders at two-star level and above. A taxonomy is developed defining and describing leadership and management as component elements of commandership. Previous studies of senior command have approached the topic from two widely disparate disciplines history and science. Historical approaches have been based upon the testimony of senior military commanders the assertions of military theorists the post hoc analysis of historians or some combination of the three. The scientific study of senior command is based upon the behavioral sciences of individual social and organizational psychology as well as management theory. This study compares and contrasts the findings of these two disciplines of history and science. Large differences in the historical and scientific conceptualizations of senior command were found. These differences reflect divergent means of viewing the world and organizing information. Evidence suggests that the general's intellect character and temperament are more important in determining success at this level than are specific skills ability knowledge or experience. Additionally significant differences were suggested for the requirements for generalship during war and peace as well as between staff positions and combat command. A proposal is offered for the reconciliation of the oft times conflicting historical and scientific perspectives of commandership in order to improve the preparation selection training and assignment of general officers.</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>