Identification of Company Command Competencies

Abstract

Company command currently has responsibilities that were once at the battalion or brigade command level, but now have been pushed down to the company level. This research identified 35 company command competencies required for successful performance in the current environment. Twenty-nine focus groups with current and former Company Commanders, Battalion Commanders, Small Group Leader Instructors at Captains Career Courses, Command Sergeants Major, First Sergeants and other senior non-commissioned officers helped to draft an initial competency model. Survey results from 138 Battalion Commanders, Company Commanders, and Small Group Instructors provided additional data concerning the (a) required proficiency levels for each competency, (b) extent to which each competency differentiates superior from less effective commanders, (c) extent to which competencies should be fostered in precommand training, and (d) level of preparedness for competency-related job responsibilities. The survey also identified optimal training methods for five competency clusters: knowledge, leadership, operational, personal, and resource management. The Company Command Competency Model delineates the command responsibilities for this command level and can be used to identify gaps in pre-command courses and assess training effectiveness.