(UNCLASSIFIED)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
21 Oct 2021
(U) WHAT IN THE PROVIDED CASE STUDY CAN BE APPLIED TO THE NCO C3 OF LEADERSHIP?
(U) (MLC 001-22)
The NCO Common Core Competencies (NCO C3) are leadership guidelines that enhances a shared understanding of a ready and lethal force. NCOs at all levels of leadership ae expected to be competent in six major areas which include readiness, leadership, training management, communication, operations, and program management. (Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 2020 pp 2-2). These areas of competence are vital for becoming a successful leader. When conducting military operations each of the competencies has a key role in successfully completing the mission. Operations, being the most important competency for this will be the foundation in which it will describe the troop leading procedures (TLP) (Army Doctrine Publications (ADP 5-0) used by unit leaders to analyze a mission, develop a plan, and prepare for operation. TLPs include briefs, rehearsals, and pre-combat checks/inspections to help each Soldier understand their role in unit operations. This enables leaders to effectively communicate the mission and commanders intent across the whole formation. Operations alone is what keeps a unit unified and successful during wartime situations. Not possessing the competency in this area as a leader will lead to mass confusion, mayhem and possibly causalities. During the Crimean war, Lord Fitzroy Reglan did not possess nor grasp the concept of operations as he directed his light and heavy brigade of cavalrymen one brigade being led by George Bingham to advance on Causeway heights. Reglan gave this command without any guidance or clear intent simply expecting the Soldiers to know how and when he wanted them to attack Causeway heights. Raglan’s plan was for his cavalrymen to attack immediately onto Causeway heights to quickly retrieve his artillery guns before the Russians escaped with it while the infantry support would be in route. Bingham didn’t have a full understanding of Reglan’s plan as he instead waited for the infantry support before attacking. With the absence of procedures and a developed plan put in place for this operation, it lead Bingham to attack a Russian artillery battery that was on other side of the valley moving away from the primary objective. George Bingham never checked back with Lord Reglan to get a clear understanding of the mission and continued to lead
with the attack which suffered massive casualties. However, this attack was considered brave by many resulting in those Soldiers that day to be forever remembered by a poem
known as the “charge of the light brigade”. The Crimean War is a clear example of why it is vital to possess core competencies which would have alleviated a lot of confusion and casualties. Eddie R. Smith/MLC 001-22
eddie.r.smith10.mil@army.mil
(UNCLASSIFIED)
