Leadership Development Training (Sapper Leader Course)

What:

In Brad Jackson and Ken Parry’s book, A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Studying Leadership, the authors briefly discuss formal leadership training and development and on-the-job training (OJT). These sections move from the previous leadership theories into leadership in practice. I believe this is the most important part of the leadership process.

Theories provide a framework for leadership development. But, leadership practice provides a platform for leaders to develop these many theories into their reality. Specifically, Jackson and Parry talk about action learning and outdoor challenge programs. Action learning being opportunities for individuals and teams to conduct field projects with lessons learned in formal training sessions, and outdoor challenge programs being physical activities performed outdoors. Usually, these are team building type events.

This leadership in practice also strongly relates to Authentic Leadership as outlined in Peter G. Northouse's book, Leadership: Theory and Practice. The author discusses critical life events that influence authentic leadership. These critical life events can be defined in numerous ways. In my experience these 'life events' can be self or organizationally driven.

So What:

 

The U.S. Army offers many opportunities for Soldiers to develop their leadership skills through programs like the ones listed above. A great example of this is the Sapper Leader Course. This is a 28 day course designed to train leaders from the squad level to the company level (30 personnel per class). The course is divided into two phases. The first phase is classroom training with incorporated field exercises. The second phase is a 15 day field leadership exercise. The objective of the course is to develop leaders through team building exercises specializing in Army combat engineer techniques and battle drills.

Sapper Leader Course Training Objectives

This course is open to all military occupational skills (MOSs). It is also open to males and females; enlisted and commissioned officers. Sister services (Marines, Air Force, and Navy) may also attend.

Now What:

I graduated from the Sapper Leader Course in 2007. I apply lessons learned in this school almost every day in my leadership philosophy.  At face value, this course teaches Army combat engineer skills. But, in reality it develops leaders. Engineer skills serve as the tool for teaching.

CPT Doug Armstrong and CPT Nathan Ferguson Proudly Displaying Their Sapper Tabs

 

This course instills confidence in leaders and teaches them how and when to lead. Throughout the course, leaders are put into difficult situations numerous times daily. There is never a clear solution. The course is founded upon leading by example and leading by motivating. For example, sleep deprivation is a typical tool in this course. This forces leaders to motivate other Soldiers when everyone in the team wants to quit. Failure to motivate others typically results in additional physical exercise and/or negative evaluations. For me, Sapper Leader Course was a defining moment in my life. I gained confidence in myself and learned how to apply different leadership techinques to different situations.

This course is just one example of leader development training. I’ve seen Soldiers make the leap from follower to leader after this course and strongly encourage Soldiers regardless of their position to enroll in the training.