Comments on: My week at West Point, fantastic! http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/ An expert on leader development, personnel management and fourth generation warfare Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:17:37 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: MAJ Joe Albrecht http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1159 MAJ Joe Albrecht Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:33:08 +0000 http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1159 Sir, I recently read MAJ Foster's article "No 'Approved Solutions' in Assymetric Warfare" and it was great to see that West Point has implemented the Outcomes Based Training and Education model. I really believe that the force will benfit from officers who are educated/trained in this manner. As you may recall, I contacted you nearly a year ago while I was attending CGSC and have since started school at SAMS. I did not complete my research into Junior Leadership Development, but I am restarting my efforts here at SAMS. If I may, I'd like to ask if you know of any other Universities that have started using the OBT&E model? Sir,
I recently read MAJ Foster’s article “No ‘Approved Solutions’ in Assymetric Warfare” and it was great to see that West Point has implemented the Outcomes Based Training and Education model. I really believe that the force will benfit from officers who are educated/trained in this manner.
As you may recall, I contacted you nearly a year ago while I was attending CGSC and have since started school at SAMS. I did not complete my research into Junior Leadership Development, but I am restarting my efforts here at SAMS. If I may, I’d like to ask if you know of any other Universities that have started using the OBT&E model?

]]> By: Don http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1118 Don Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:04:22 +0000 http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1118 Its leaders like you, Chad, Fred and COL Haskins that makes my job a blessing. Without your strength of character, implementation of new ideas would not take place. Thank you, Don Its leaders like you, Chad, Fred and COL Haskins that makes my job a blessing. Without your strength of character, implementation of new ideas would not take place.

Thank you, Don

]]> By: Fred http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1117 Fred Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:48:26 +0000 http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1117 This is outstanding Gentleman. Keeps me fired up and focused on implementing these ideas in the law enforcement realm. I agree totoally with Maj Foster, when you see these methodologies at work you cannot help but believe in their value at develpoing adaptable individuals, teams and organizations. Fred This is outstanding Gentleman. Keeps me fired up and focused on implementing these ideas in the law enforcement realm. I agree totoally with Maj Foster, when you see these methodologies at work you cannot help but believe in their value at develpoing adaptable individuals, teams and organizations.

Fred

]]> By: MAJ Chad Foster http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1114 MAJ Chad Foster Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:08:31 +0000 http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1114 Oh, by the way, I wrote an article for the Armor and Cavalry Journal advocating OBT&E and I also submitted a companion piece that outlines how we used ALM to completely re-design the Military Science curriculum here. I don't know if they have accepted the second one or not, but at any rate the first article should be in the next issue of Armor and Cavalry Journal. Trying to get the word out! Oh, by the way, I wrote an article for the Armor and Cavalry Journal advocating OBT&E and I also submitted a companion piece that outlines how we used ALM to completely re-design the Military Science curriculum here. I don’t know if they have accepted the second one or not, but at any rate the first article should be in the next issue of Armor and Cavalry Journal. Trying to get the word out!

]]> By: MAJ Chad Foster http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1113 MAJ Chad Foster Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:04:58 +0000 http://donvandergriff.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/my-week-at-west-point-fantastic/#comment-1113 Don, your visit last week was a great help to us as we are getting ready for this year's New Instructor Development program. This year, we don't have much turn-over in personnel (other than me leaving as the Course Director for MS300), so we should be in great shape for a seamless transition into this new year. The feedback from the field this summer has been really positive and constructive. With the new approach to MS instruction, the cadets are showing up to their field training with it already ingrained in their minds that THEY have to be personally accountable and that THEY have to figure things out by thinking creatively. In the area of constructive feedback, we saw that the cadets are a bit weak in the area of rehearsals and PCC/PCI. This feedback has allowed us to start looking at ways to address this weakness in our MS classes through some of our TDEs. We have a pretty solid idea about how to get at this one. MAJ Joe Katz (MS200) and CPT Al Vigilante (MS300) are taking over the two MS courses for this coming semester. We couldn't find two better officers to step in. SFC Miller will remain as the assistant course director for MS300 with SFC Noah taking the same slot in MS200. This is in keeping with the intent to have strong NCOs fully integrated into every course. Thanks again for your help. We are doing some great things here thanks to COL Haskins' guidance, the efforts of great officers and NCOs on the ground, and the assistance of outside contacts such as you! I would invite anyone who has any doubts about the effectiveness or feasibility of OBT&E and ALM to come and see us. They will quickly have their doubts laid to rest. Don, your visit last week was a great help to us as we are getting ready for this year’s New Instructor Development program. This year, we don’t have much turn-over in personnel (other than me leaving as the Course Director for MS300), so we should be in great shape for a seamless transition into this new year.

The feedback from the field this summer has been really positive and constructive. With the new approach to MS instruction, the cadets are showing up to their field training with it already ingrained in their minds that THEY have to be personally accountable and that THEY have to figure things out by thinking creatively. In the area of constructive feedback, we saw that the cadets are a bit weak in the area of rehearsals and PCC/PCI. This feedback has allowed us to start looking at ways to address this weakness in our MS classes through some of our TDEs. We have a pretty solid idea about how to get at this one.

MAJ Joe Katz (MS200) and CPT Al Vigilante (MS300) are taking over the two MS courses for this coming semester. We couldn’t find two better officers to step in. SFC Miller will remain as the assistant course director for MS300 with SFC Noah taking the same slot in MS200. This is in keeping with the intent to have strong NCOs fully integrated into every course.

Thanks again for your help. We are doing some great things here thanks to COL Haskins’ guidance, the efforts of great officers and NCOs on the ground, and the assistance of outside contacts such as you! I would invite anyone who has any doubts about the effectiveness or feasibility of OBT&E and ALM to come and see us. They will quickly have their doubts laid to rest.

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