Leadership Training Requirements

[BMCM Ian McVicker]

I looked to see if this had been discussed in another thread and could not find it. If I missed it somewhere let me know.

In May ALCOAST 256/07 hit the streets announcing that completion of Leadership and Management School (LAMS) will be required for Advancement to E-6 beginning 1 January 2009. I am very glad to see that we as a service are moving towards formal mandatory Leadership Training requirements other than just the CPO Academy, but in the interest of sparking some discussion:

1. Is this a move in the right direction?

2. Should this be required for advancement to E-5 instead of E-6?

3. Will there be enough opportunities for personnel to attend the training?

4. What is the next step? Do we as a service start looking at a training program for personnel going from E-3 to E-4, maybe an addition to "A" schools, and what steps do we take to get there?

5. What are people doing at their individual units to promote or conduct Leadership training?

As I said before I like this move, but am interested in others views on this...Standing by

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I think this is a great move. Does there need to be leadership training at the E-4 level? Yes. But, we have to start somewhere and I think it will happen eventually. It makes sense for it to be at this level, for now. I hope that eventually there are leadership programs like those in the Air Force. We have come along way in the last few years and will make more headway over the next few years.

If I was allowed to plan leadership training at the E-4 level, I would add it to the end of "A" school. Your last 2-3 weeks would be leadership training. If you strike, then you would attend the training with the "A" school class. Then, every E-4 would have leadership training prior to advancing to Petty Officer.

[ETC Joe Jester (Ret)]

If I recall correctly, some have said before that there is basic leadership training at "A" school.

I never inquired about the Curriculum Outline for such training or if it's the same for every "A" school.

E-5, I feel is the appropriate time to send them off to a leadership school ... something more than the basic leadership taught at the E-4 level. I don't know how many people been to the Navy Leadership school, in Memphis back in 1994, ... the one for Navy PO1's ... [and CG PO2's] ... but the last person I sent to it said they enjoyed it.

PO1 is a good start. Elsewhere I've read where the CG requires leadership ... at three levels ... E4, E6, and E8.


Graduate of CCGDThree's leadership school as a PO2 in 1976 sends.

[MSTCM Jerald Motyka]

When I went to the Command Master Chief Course in October, MCPOCG Bowen said that his vision was to implement a "total training program" for all enlisted folks. Problem was, going from nothing to everything was both cost-prohibitive as well as impossible in a mission-effectiveness practicality way. His goal was as follows:

1. Make the Chief's Academy mandatory for ALL E-7's - no grandfathers (DONE)
2. Make LAMS mandatory for ALL E-6's - (IMPLEMENTED)
3. Move the LAMS requirement to be mandatory for E-5 and have a SPOLAMS (senior PO LAMS) re-implemented (in works)
4. Construct some flavor of MAJOR leadership course for E-3's to make Petty Officer (no idea - methinks it's in the drawing board stages). He mentioned something like 2-4 weeks in length (think PLDC/PNOC for Army).

I gotta say that he's kept his part thus far - and I think this is a HUGE step in the right direction. I would expect to see, prior to MCPO Bowen's departure, a message lowering the requirement for LAMS to make E-5, and the creation of SPOLAMS.

[ETC Joe Jester (Ret)]

... and the creation of SPOLAMS.

I never knew spolams had a lapse of existance.

[BMCM Ian McVicker]

Deane, Joe and Jerald...Thanks for the replies. I really liked the info that Jerald was able to provide. That was pretty much in line with what I was thinking about the direction of the program. I think building it is just going to be a slow road, seeing how the initial implementation isn't until 2009.

I was disappointed with only 4 replies after over 80 views...I wonder if the topic just wasn't interesting enough. I do wonder though if some people are gun shy to talk about policy after recent events in this forum. I hope that is not the case, because that would pretty sad.

[BMCS Burt Ford]

I think it is a good move Ian. Long time comming. Now if we can get poeple to teach leadership at there level instead of complaining about not having any, we will be better off. Us Chiefs need to step up and teach good leadership at all levels.

[BMCM Ian McVicker]

I agree Burt, and that's why the last question I asked in my original post was what folks at their own unit for Leadership Training. I am really curious to see the different ideas or techniques people are using in the field.

Is anyone out there using the resources from the ULDC web-site?

Is anyone using any particular Leadership books or resource materials?

Have you worked it into your trng schedule, or are you doing it on a case by case basis?

Has anyone taken advantage of the "Command Assessment Team" through you individual districts? I have used this and it is an outstanding tool. I took over my current unit due to a RFC, and had the team come in about 6 months later, and was absolutely amazed at what I learned. It gives you a really good snap shot of your unit, crew, and gives you areas to look at that you might normally not have done. Since then I have tried to have them in here once a year, and am getting ready to call for our next appointment.

Know I know somebody is going to say the standard "Act Like a Chief" or "Lead from the Front" and "Leadership by Example". Roger that, and I agree, but every unit is supposed to have a Leadership program, so what is everyone doing?

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I've been having monthly leadership training for about the last 5 years. I believe in it and hopefully the crew gets something out of it.

We have a variety of training. I use any and all resources that I can find. We're currently going through a program that will take about 12 months to complete. A different member of the crew will lead the training each month. Our training is always geared toward interaction, that's the important thing in my opinion. Getting every member of the crew to share their thoughts on leadership is beneficial for everyone.

I've had a command assessment and plan to have one here soon. I also want to have them do the myers-briggs personality type indicator while their here. That's always a good thing to do with the entire crew.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz (Ret)]

I was disappointed with only 4 replies after over 80 views...I wonder if the topic just wasn't interesting enough. I do wonder though if some people are gun shy to talk about policy after recent events in this forum. I hope that is not the case, because that would pretty sad.


Okay, I'll throw my proverbial 2 cents in. The idea is a wonderful one, it is also an idea that should have been implemented a long time ago. There are some personnel that will just not attend any sort of leadership schools unless they are foced to. Perhaps these sort of men and women believe that their leadership skills are good enough and see no reason to attend a meaningless school, meaningless in their opinion, not the Coast Guard's. Making the attendance at a leadership school a condition of continued employment is a step in the right direction.

What ever happened to the concept of the Advanced LAMS? I attended a prototype back in 2002, it was really worthwhile. Once someone is advanced to E-7 and has attended the CPOA are there any other refresher type leadership schools?

[BMCS Burt Ford]

ian I had the crew do the online assessment when I forst got here. I approached the problms it had but it was mostly trivial in nature. I used to use the 28 cometentcies often but now I dont have the need. With a crew of eight, all POs that have decided to make this a career, it has not been needed. I run this unit on a simple pretense, teach them all to replace each other. I know everyone believes in it but when I am not here, this place will go on. Everything I get, I pass, everytime. My XPO runs the joint and I guide where guidenace is needed and required. I explain why I make the decisions I make, good or bad.

[BMCM Ian McVicker]

I've had a command assessment and plan to have one here soon. I also want to have them do the myers-briggs personality type indicator while their here. That's always a good thing to do with the entire crew.

Deane, it sounds like you have a great program going on there. I have not thought about doing the myers-briggs with the crew, but that's an interesting thought.

Ray...It is sad that the service has to create regulations to make people take advantage of the available training, but whatever works I guess. I hope that we continue to expand towards more formal training for different paygrades. I have a Army training center not to far from the unit that puts on a leadership school for E-4's, and I am working on getting my third classes into there courses. Some of the material doesn't cross over, but may be helpful to them regardless. We also have an AFB about 100 miles away, and am going to research what they may have available.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz (Ret)]

We also have an AFB about 100 miles away, and am going to research what they may have available.

The Air Force has an Airman Leadership School that is open to the Coast Guard, you might want to ask about that.