by Thomas Zimmerman
Army ‘all stars’ share experiences, learn from War College students

Gen. Lloyd Austin, 1997 Army War College graduate and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, speaks to the Army War College Class of 2013 in Bliss Hall as part of Army Leader Day.

Twenty six Army “all stars,” including 13 Army War College graduates, came to the U.S. Army War College Oct. 18 to share their experiences, insights on the current state of the Army and discuss the issues and challenges facing the military as part of Army Leader Day.

Gen. Lloyd Austin, 1997 Army War College graduate and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, kicked off the day with a Bliss Hall talk with students, staff, faculty and the 25 state Adjutants General and deputies participating in the Adjutants Generals National Security Seminar.

During his remarks, Austin laid out the near, mid and long-term goals for the Army.

“We need to invest in our people, optimize our force and selectively modernize in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly disorganized world,” he said.

The War College is an important step for these future strategic leaders and advisors, said Austin. 

 “What you learn here is very important,” he said. “Take the time to learn about each other, especially our international partners. It will serve you well in the future.”

Students talk in seminar with Maj. Gen. Harold Greene, Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army.  

Austin spoke at length about one of the major challenges the military faces, the visible and invisible wounds of more than a decade of war.

“What is most important are our Soldiers and their Families,” he said. “We must lead the effort in dealing not only with the physical wounds, but the invisible ones like traumatic brain injury as well. We have a duty to do everything we can.”

The War College students will play a key role, he said.

“You have to lead by example and we must maintain their faith.”  

He expressed confidence that the military leaders studying at The War College – Army, Air Force, Marine, Navy, Coast Guard and International – are up to the challenges the world will face.

“I am very optimistic about the future of America and the world just by looking around this room,” he said.  “There is an incredible amount of talent in this group.”

“Having been to this event for three years while I was on the Army Staff, I know how valuable this experience is,” said Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, Army War College Commandant. “I know the students will take full advantage of this rich experience.”

Following the keynote address, the students moved to 24 seminar rooms for candid, in-depth discussions with a member of the Army Staff and the Secretariat.

Army Leader Day is an integral part of the War College resident educational experience.  It is a unique opportunity for many of the U.S. Army's senior leadership, military and civilian, to come to Carlisle and interact with the class.  The event serves as the capstone for the Strategic Leqdership block of instruction and provides students the tools to comprehend the unique aspects of leadership required at the strategic level,   analyze the role of the strategic leader in evaluating the climate and culture of an organization, aligning these with the strategic vision, and then leading the organization through the change processes necessary to implement this alignment and comprehend the role of senior military leaders as stewards of the profession of arms.