Command and General Staff College Foundation News - 11

the center is to work with the student officers throughout
the year and to complement course curriculum's focus on
communications skills. The classes begin with students selected
to participate in a pre-CGSOC Writing program prior to the
start of the CGSOC. For those officers, this preparatory writing
instruction offers an opportunity to "knock the rust off" of
writing skills that may have atrophied over the years and gives
them a head start on using the writing skills that will be in
constant demand throughout the CGSC course. For the other
officers who do not attend the pre-CGSOC Writing program,
the Learning Resource Center offers individualized instruction
tailored to their specific writing weaknesses. The center offers
all "customers" a wide range of writing instruction and tools
that are certain to complement the existing materials in the
CGSC course.
Another initiative that will greatly enhance the quality
of the officers' communications skills throughout the
year is the publication of a revised "Student Text 22-2,
Leader Communication." This document, authored by
the Communications Skills Working Group, provides a
comprehensive overview of the requirements related to briefing
and writing for the CGSC student and offers practical advice
and techniques to improve essential skills in communication.

The Work Behind the Scenes

Key to the success of these initiatives has been the ongoing
efforts of the Communications Skills Working Group (CSWG).
The CSWG is chaired by the CGSS Deputy Director, Mr.
Marvin Nickels, and includes faculty representation from
all academic departments in the College. For the past year
plus, the CSWG has quietly labored to improve the quality
of the communications skills instruction in CGSC and to
facilitate a better approach to the writing discipline in the
curriculum, an approach that is holistic in nature and one
that mirrors the educational focus of graduate schooling. The
CSWG conducted a comprehensive review of curriculum to
ascertain communications skills requirements in the existing
curriculum and recommended significant changes to improve
student performance in communications skills. Hence, much
of the writing focus is on argument analysis and argument
development, vital skills in academic, professional, and military
writing.
Mr. Ted Ihrke, who serves as the CGSS lead for the CSWG,
has been on the faculty of the College for 10 years and is a
strong advocate of the recent changes. He describes the CSWG
as the "Director's 'go to' group for all things associated with
communication skills." Whether it's an update to a writing
rubric or the quick development and teaching of a unique
writing program, the CSWG provides this capability. The
CSWG takes on the most pressing needs and prioritizes them
to improve instruction products and resources in the college.
The CSWG has also filled a key role in facilitating the Writing
Improvement Program that each teaching team conducts
throughout the academic year. They have provided lesson
materials and resources that allow each faculty team to prepare
and execute a tailored block of instruction for their students
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based on the faculty's assessment of their specific students and
the particular weaknesses they see in their students' written
work.
Mr. Marvin Nickels, Deputy CGSS Director, believes that
the CSWG has contributed immeasurably to the College and
notes, "the work that the CGWG has done in the past few
months has unquestionably strengthened the overall quality
of our course. We know that there are significant demands for
field grade leaders in the communications arena, and the efforts
of the CSWG have directly addressed those requirements in a
thorough and feasible manner."

Writing for Publication Opportunities

Another important initiative that has emerged from the
CSWG's efforts is the creation of a new elective offering
for CGSOC students to collaborate with resident faculty to
conduct research on an academic topic and have their findings
published in a scholarly journal. This new elective offers the
best students an extraordinary opportunity to partner with
experienced faculty members who will coach and mentor
the participants throughout the research and writing process.
These faculty members will also offer unique insights into
the selected topics based upon their long-standing association
with the profession. Given the inherent value of the research
being published within the public domain, the student writers,
as well as the College, stand to gain significant exposure and
credibility by contributing to the body of knowledge on topics
of importance. The publication of these writing efforts will
undoubtedly enhance the credibility of the institution while
providing a vital contribution to the professional development
of the officer participants. This program is scheduled to begin
with the new classes beginning in August 2017.

A Course for the Future

Moving forward, the CSWG intends to thoroughly
review the communications requirements across all CGSOC
departments and curriculum to ensure better coordination
and synchronization in future years. While much has been
done to facilitate a better experience for officers attending
the resident course at Fort Leavenworth, admittedly there
remains a pressing need to constantly assess the lesson
materials so that the students receive the best, most relevant,
and most appropriate curriculum for field grade leaders.
Effective communication is an enabler. Essential to mission
command is the ability to create shared understanding.
An academically rigorous focus on communications skills
will complement other areas of focus within the CGSOC
curriculum and ensure our graduates are ready to excel in
the contemporary operational environment. Greater skills
in communication enable clarity in providing commander's
intent. In the age of mass media influence and complex
problem solving, revised emphasis on communications skills
complements other pieces of the CGSOC curriculum and
satisfies the demands of the current operational environment
by honing skills vital to field grade officers in today's
military.
CGSC FOUNDATION NEWS - 11
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Command and General Staff College Foundation News
