Center for the Army
Profession and Leadership
Case Studies
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Case Study PackagesFeatured Case Study
Mentoring Stewardship
"Mentorship as a facet of leadership is probably the most important aspect of the Stewardship of the Profession that doesn't get the attention that it should," said COL Bircher. As a mentor, he explained how sharing advice and knowledge is helpful for the mentee as well as the mentor.
A Vulnerable Unity
Accountable Justice
Adherence to Standards
Age of Accountability
An Ethical Pause
Army Civilian Corps: Serving as an Army Professional
Army Civilian, Soldier Values
Backbone of the Army
Battle Buddies and the Battle Within
"Black Hearts" Case Study: The Yusufiyah Crimes, Iraq, March 12, 2006
On March 12, 2006, five Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division abandoned their posts and headed to the village of Yusufiyah, located within their operational sector in Iraq. There the five Soldiers committed a brutal gang-rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl, Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi, and the simultaneous murder of her family. Fueled by alcohol confiscated from Iraqis, coupled with talk of revenge against the Iraqi people, the Soldiers directed their frustrations towards the family whom they rationalized were supporting their enemies, viewing them as scapegoats for the real and imagined suffering they were experiencing.
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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"Hell No, I Won't Go"
In May 2006, I proudly raised my right hand and joined the world's greatest fighting force, the United States Army. I finally achieved what I had worked so hard for through my four years of college, the rank of second lieutenant.
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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"I Would Do It Exactly The Same Way"
We saw a significant increase in enemy activity and attacks in the recent months along main supply route (MSR) TAMPA in Iraq. Tensions were high on the ground and in the air. Improvised explosive device (IED) attacks were all too common and we lost a few aircraft due to enemy activity.
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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| - | - | | - | - | - | - | - |
"To Shoot or Not to Shoot"
"Sometimes the expected course of action, although legal and justified, is not the most honorable option."
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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A Child's Cacophony
I was an Airman assigned to a Special Operations Element (SOE). I spent most of my career as a SOF Enabler and enjoyed working in this environment. As on previous operations, we found ourselves at an undisclosed location prosecuting the Global War on Terrorism.
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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A Company With No Commander
During Operation IRAQI FREEDOM I, I commanded a tank company in the Third Infantry Division. After the Division seized Baghdad, we remained in the city for approximately six weeks. The city was relatively peaceful compared to the violence levels of 2005-2007.
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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A Few Extra Items Never Hurts
I witnessed a Drill Sergeant (DS) in my unit circumvent the Army's system to steal over $7,000 dollars. DS Whales was an outstanding non-commissioned officer. He was assigned to a Training Post and loved his job. He enjoyed very much being a Soldier, training Soldiers, and above all, being a Drill Sergeant.
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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| - | | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A Question of Loyalty
Dean and I were newly-minted lieutenants assigned to separate battalions in the same brigade. We went to college together, graduated airborne school and the officer basic course together, and he was a frequent guest at my my dinner table.
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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Almost a Millionaire
Our task force deployed to Kuwait in November 2002 in support of Operation DESERT SPRING. Essentially, we were part of a brigade combat team deployed to deter Iraqi aggression. Despite this deterrence mission, everyone in the brigade knew we would make up part of the invasion force to topple the Iraqi regime once the President made the decision to go to war.
| IMT | Mid Grade | Intermediate | Strategic | Civilian | Active | Reserve | Guard |
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| | | - | - | - | - | - |