Education and Training: Crucial Assets for an Army Leader

'Leadership, the lifeblood of an Army, makes a difference every day in the United States Army'. One cannot have great leadership without experienced and knowledgeable leaders. For leaders to be the best at their occupation, they need wisdom and understanding on the tasks at hand. This includes anything from firing a weapon, performing first aid, or writing papers. Leaders can gain those skills and knowledge by going through training and education. These factors are both different, yet they complement each other. A leader will need both training and education to become their absolute best.

Training is a crucial asset for any leader in any organization. It focuses on sets of skills to enhance performance for a precise task or group of tasks. Training can consist of hands-on exercises, both notional as well as real-life demonstrations. One can complete training in a short amount of time, especially when one compares it to education. Learning skill sets first makes it easier to understand the concepts taught in education. Training is most efficient when those conducting it are experts on the subject. Leaders can conduct training inside a classroom or in an outdoor setting. Training is not an institutional way of learning. It is more of an apprenticeship style of education. Learning through experience from their instructor and what they discover doing the task. Leaders can conduct training by performing the task while on the job. A specific example would be learning how to shoot a rifle in basic combat training. The Non-Commissioned Officer will show a soldier how to hold and aim a rifle. First by demonstrating the task, then by them walking the trainee through step by step. Training’s importance is exponential to organizational leaders.

Education is a way of learning through reading, lecturing, or discussion. It is a very important tool for a leader to utilize in their team. It goes over a broad range of information as well as concepts and theories about a specific topic or set of topics. It allows the trainee to see a bigger picture than training alone can give them. For training to be more efficient, it is important to educate oneself about the essentials of a task. Doing so will allow one to be able to find much faster and more efficient ways to complete a task. With knowledge from education, one can learn how to apply different concepts to the task at hand. Instructors usually perform education in a classroom or lab type setting. Education often takes much longer than training, but prepares one for an extended period of time. A good example is when Non-Commissioned Officers teach trainees about the fundamentals of firing a rifle. The leader goes over concepts that can improve the trainee's accuracy with a rifle. These essentials include sight picture, steady breathing, as well as trigger squeeze. Even though it is not hands-on, the knowledge can enhance the training one receives.

Education and training work the best when they are coinciding with each other. Training gives one a base so that they can expand their knowledge. Going through training first, one can make it easier to grasp the knowledge from the instruction. Education gives one the ability to apply concepts and knowledge to their training. Furthermore with the combination of both, trainees can become an expert on the subject or task. Being an expert allows trainees to perform tasks easier than with training alone. It can also allow one to conduct in-depth training of their own with a complete understanding of the subject. This prepares a leader to explain and answer any questions the subordinates may have for him. Supervisors need to be conducting in-depth training to ensure their subordinates understand their jobs. Leaders that can conduct in-depth drill improve their organizations. Training gives one the skills to hold and aim a rifle; education teaches one the fundamentals. Combining both can improve one's accuracy firing a rifle or any skillset.

Training and education are both vital parts of becoming a great leader. Both are dissimilar, yet they go hand in hand with each other. Learning skill sets first can make it easier to understand concepts from education. One can also build a skill set from training and expand on it with education. Doing so will allow one to find new ways to accomplish a mission or complete a task. Leaders can also conduct their own training using the combination of knowledge and experience. Education and training allow leaders to be better equipped to train and lead subordinates, making it easier to improve their organization.

References

• CFA Staff (24 Aug. 2018). The Difference Between Training and Education for Employers. Retrieved from https://collegeforamerica.org/difference-between-training-education/
• NSF International (June 2017). Education vs Training: What’s the Difference? Retrieved from www.nsf.org/newsroom_pdf/Education_Vs._Training_-_What_Is_the_Difference_-_Whitepaper_-_NSF_PB.pdf.
• U.S. Department of the Army (August 2012). Army Leadership: ADP 6-22. Retrieved from http://data.cape.army.mil/web/repository/doctrine/adp6-22.pdf