Reflective Journal Assignment: External Influences Affect Or ✓ Solved

reflective Journal Assignment external Influences Affect Or

External influences affect organizational readiness, moral, performance, and proficiency. These influences can be either positive or negative. As a Sergeants Major, you will have to aid your commander in preemptively identifying potential external influences and ways in which to mitigate negative outcomes. Likewise, Sergeants Majors must be able to think critically, and creatively, in order to exploit, and multiply potential positive external influences on their organizations.

Throughout this module, you have examined external influences of an organization. Write a 500 – 700-word substantive journal entry identifying and addressing external influencers on the organization. Elaborate on a Sergeants Major’s role in: 1. Civil-military relations, 2. the influences of irregular warfare, 3. leader engagement aids in developing resilient organizations, and 4. exploiting either positive or negative external influences on an organization. Proper APA sourcing and citing is required for referenced information that you obtain and events you were not personally party to. Do not write in first person.

Adhere to APA standards and cite sources appropriately.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

External influences play a critical role in shaping organizational readiness, effectiveness, and resilience. For military organizations, especially at the level of Sergeants Major, understanding these external factors is essential for strategic planning and operational success. The influences can arise from political, social, economic, military, and informational domains, each capable of either enhancing or impeding organizational capabilities. This paper explores the roles and responsibilities of Sergeants Major in managing these external influences through civil-military relations, irregular warfare, leader engagement, and exploiting external factors positively or negatively.

Civil-Military Relations

Civil-military relations represent the dynamic interaction between military institutions and civilian authorities, underpinning the principles of civilian control and military professionalism (American Civil-Military Relations, 2020). A Sergeants Major acts as a vital link in maintaining a balanced civil-military interface, ensuring that the military abides by democratic principles and civil oversight. This role involves advocating for military professionalism to prevent politicization of the armed forces and educating civilians and soldiers about the importance of a clear separation between military operations and political agendas (Puddington & Schneider, 2017). The major must also facilitate open communication channels, foster mutual understanding, and support the chain of command while respecting civilian authority.

Major issues within civil-military relations include the politicization of the military, where military actions are improperly leveraged for partisan gains, risking erosion of public trust and institutional integrity (Kelley & Brearley, 2018). To strengthen civil-military relations, Sergeants Major coalign with leaders to uphold professionalism and ethical standards, which reinforces the trust and transparency necessary for a healthy civil-military interface (Wang, 2019).

Influences of Irregular Warfare

Irregular warfare encompasses operations conducted by unconventional actors such as insurgents, terrorist groups, or hybrid threats that challenge traditional military tactics (Joint Staff J7, 2007). Its impacts on military organizations necessitate adaptability, cultural understanding, and nuanced engagement strategies (Petraeus & Amos, 2014). Sergeants Major have a pivotal role in emphasizing the importance of understanding the complex environment of irregular warfare, including the social and political factors driving insurgencies and non-traditional threats (U.S. Joint Publication 3-24, 2008).

History demonstrates that irregular warfare requires not only military action but also civic engagement, information operations, and partnerships with local communities (Ricks, 2012). Sergeants Major guide their units to develop intelligence, cultural competence, and resilience, enabling them to counter the multifaceted challenges of irregular threats effectively. They serve as mentors, ensuring leaders and soldiers are trained for these unconventional environments and understand the importance of patience, adaptability, and strategic thinking.

Leader Engagement and Resilient Organizations

Leader engagement is fundamental in fostering resilient military organizations capable of responding to external pressures (ADP 6-22, 2019). Effective leader engagement involves building trust, inspiring cohesion, and ensuring open communication within units and with external stakeholders (Northouse, 2018). Sergeants Major must actively participate in community and partner engagements, which helps develop a shared understanding of external influences and promotes unity (U.S. Army, 2016).

Resilience in organizations is bolstered through proactive training, mental health support, and adaptive leadership approaches (Britt et al., 2016). Leaders influence stress levels, morale, and adaptability—key factors in resilience—by modeling behaviors that foster confidence and cohesion. Furthermore, engaging with external communities and institutions aids in understanding societal trends and potential external influences, allowing organizations to adapt quickly.

Exploiting External Influences

Sergeants Major are tasked with exploiting external influences to benefit their organizations. Positive external influences might include favorable political support, strategic alliances, or technological advancements (Fredriksson et al., 2020). For instance, leveraging diplomatic relationships can facilitate smoother operations and intelligence sharing. Conversely, understanding and mitigating negative influences such as political instability, economic downturns, or adversarial propaganda are equally essential (Bach et al., 2017).

To exploit these influences, leaders must conduct environment assessments, foster relationships with external stakeholders, and develop adaptable strategies (Margerum, 2018). Exploiting positive factors enhances operational capabilities, morale, and strategic positioning, while proactively mitigating negative influences prevents disruptive outcomes (Sunoo, 2019).

In conclusion, Sergeants Major possess a vital role in navigating external influences through proactive civil-military relations, understanding irregular warfare, fostering resilient units via leader engagement, and exploiting external factors strategically. Their leadership ensures that external challenges are managed effectively, thereby preserving the organization's readiness and integrity.

References

• American Civil-Military Relations. (2020). In The Soldier and the State in a New Era. Chapter 11.
• Bach, J., Coombs, R., & Smith, R. (2017). Navigating political instability: Strategies for military leaders. Journal of Defense Studies, 45(3), 234-251.
• Britt, T. W., Adler, A. B., & Barling, J. (2016). Resilient leaders and organizations: Strategies for stress management. Military Review, 96(2), 45-52.
• Fredriksson, P., Lundgren, Å., & Olsson, T. (2020). Strategic influence in modern warfare. Defense Studies Journal, 40(4), 589-606.
• Joint Staff J7. (2007). Irregular Warfare Joint Operating Concept. U.S. Department of Defense.
• Kelley, P., & Brearley, S. (2018). Civil-military relations in democratic societies: Challenges and opportunities. Armed Forces & Society, 44(1), 113-132.
• Margerum, R. (2018). Strategies for strategic influence: Impact of external factors on military operations. International Security Review, 22(3), 75-89.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 8th Edition. Sage Publications.
• Petraeus, D., & Amos, P. (2014). Counterinsurgency and irregular warfare. Military Review, 94(6), 30-41.
• Ricks, T. (2012). The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today. Penguin Press.
• U.S. Army. (2016). Army Leadership Reference Handbook. U.S. Government Publishing Office.
• U.S. Joint Publication 3-24. (2008). Counterinsurgency. Department of Defense.