Archive: Col. Charles D. Allen
Correcting the course
Now the elected officers are pursuing their respective visions, which in several cases result in attempts to reverse some decisions by previous leaders. That is the nature and the beauty of our constitutional system...
By Col. Charles D. Allen | January 5, 2011; 11:09 AM ET | Comments (12)
The protectors: Salvatore Giunta and George W. Bush
The reasons both men held the national spotlight could not have been more different, but the two figures are inextricably linked...
By Col. Charles D. Allen | December 20, 2010; 02:45 PM ET | Comments (5)
Then and now: Reflections on diversity this Veteran's Day
Although 185,000 African Americans served in the Union Army during the conflict, only white troops made up the 200,000-man procession through the capital of our restored nation.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | November 11, 2010; 10:12 AM ET | Comments (0)
Start with "what" and "why"
When plans and strategies appear to falter, the simplest questions are often the ones that are the most overlooked. "What were we trying to accomplish and why?" At the strategic level, these answers should be tied to our professed national values and the protection our U.S. security interests. The result should be a clear statement of purpose and the development of well-defined...
By Col. Charles D. Allen | November 3, 2010; 01:40 PM ET | Comments (1)
The right way to engage military leaders
The fact that a debate on the strategic direction occurred, allowing for conflicting and dissenting points of view within the Bush administration, is characteristic of healthy civil-military relations. Senior military officers--the theater and operational commanders as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff--were engaged in discourse...
By Col. Charles D. Allen | September 28, 2010; 03:19 PM ET | Comments (1)
Gettysburg lessons reverberate in a modern world
To paraphrase, "a day on the Gettysburg battlefield beats any day in the seminar room." Of course for our U.S. Army War College trip, the seminar room was the battlefield. Over the years, I have been privileged to observe several student groups of senior military officers vicariously experience the great national contest of wills that was our American Civil War. It is advantageous for our students that contest came to be realized in central Pennsylvania.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | August 24, 2010; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (14)
Find the right leaders for the job
Organizations that may be considered "Too big to lead" require leaders who are big enough to lead with others. Such organizations need leaders who are temperamentally suited to handle complexity and, more importantly, who can develop teams of capable individuals to pull and push constituents towards their vision.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | July 20, 2010; 11:31 AM ET | Comments (8)
Medal of Honor: It's never too late to honor a fallen hero
Amid today's press about pop stars, corporate woes, and daily challenges in our lives, I offer a simple hand salute to an American soldier and hero--rest well!
By Col. Charles D. Allen | July 16, 2010; 12:07 PM ET | Comments (10)
A modern-day Gen. George McClellan
The Civil War General George McClellan was a true talent, and one might argue his was essential in building the Army of the Potomac. But he had no sense of place, and this got him sacked.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | June 24, 2010; 03:26 PM ET | Comments (6)
Henry Flipper at West Point: From slave to Army officer
West Point's first African-American graduate, Henry Flipper, was born into slavery. Today, the institution that actively resisted enrollment of African American officers now has an award in his name.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | June 17, 2010; 10:40 AM ET | Comments (10)
Baron von Steuben's example
At Valley Forge, Baron Von Steuben quickly adjusted the Prussian training methods to meet the realities of non-professional force of colonial troops
By Col. Charles D. Allen | May 14, 2010; 05:43 AM ET | Comments (0)
One freezing dove, four precious freedoms
A morning spent caring for a frozen dove with a foreign military officer reminds me that we do have something special in America--probably more than we deserve and something that we should hope for others to experience.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | May 10, 2010; 04:24 PM ET | Comments (4)
Hope for the future
On a day-to-day level, senior leaders may not impact us that much. But when crisis hits, senior leaders are the ones who can provide meaning and give hope.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | April 20, 2010; 03:51 PM ET | Comments (0)
'All glory is fleeting'
What military officers have in common with other leaders that reach celebrity status is that their celebrity status will eventually fade or come to an abrupt end.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | April 15, 2010; 12:15 PM ET | Comments (1)
Flattery is betrayal
As public servants, we demean and betray our citizens if we do not provide them with the brutal facts and truths.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | February 4, 2010; 06:23 AM ET | Comments (1)
'In-progress review'
It is part of our Army culture to continually assess our performance on critical tasks and missions. The country must do the same with its president.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | January 21, 2010; 01:02 PM ET | Comments (1)
MLK day: African Americans answering the call of military service
Martin Luther King's dream is a call to service, and African Americans from our country's very beginnings have responded to that call in the military.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | January 17, 2010; 06:12 AM ET | Comments (13)
'Get'er done'
Highly successful leaders are those with the ability to build teams that can meet and conquer challenges.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | January 6, 2010; 03:09 PM ET | Comments (0)
What soldiers do
We justly admire civilians like Jasper Schuringa, but in Iraq and Afghanistan, valor is demonstrated daily, in the most austere and dangerous conditions, by those in uniform.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | December 31, 2009; 07:03 AM ET | Comments (0)
A familiar job
Our U.S. military has many years of experience in training the forces of other nations.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | December 2, 2009; 01:52 PM ET | Comments (0)
Crisis leadership from a commander
While he was himself visibly shaken by the shootings, the Fort Hood commandar, Lt. Gen. Bob Cone, sought to provide a calming influence to the community.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | November 6, 2009; 08:00 AM ET | Comments (0)
'Four dead in Ohio'
The trust the American people place in its military is as fragile as it is precious.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | November 5, 2009; 01:43 PM ET | Comments (4)
Nominee: U.S. Armed Forces
Our military is made of imperfect people who acknowledge their faults and learn from past mistakes.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | October 12, 2009; 10:20 PM ET | Comments (6)
New Strategy, New Leader
It is possible Gn. McKiernan was the best-available leader under the old, NATO-focused strategy in Afghanistan, but the game has changed.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | August 25, 2009; 01:19 PM ET | Comments (30)
Even Pickett's Charge
Even the men who died in combat at Gettysburg's horrific struggle were led into battle by leaders who used inspiration rather than intimidation.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | August 18, 2009; 11:50 AM ET | Comments (3)
Share Your Challenges
The more successful leaders I have observed do not tell stories of their great accomplishments, but rather of their personal and professional challenges.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | June 12, 2009; 10:12 AM ET | Comments (0)
Military Solutions
The process for ensuring senior military leaders do not stagnate is provided for by law. Once a four-star general is relieved from the position, the officer must be reappointed to a position at the same grade, revert to a lower grade, or retire within 60 days.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | May 29, 2009; 02:59 PM ET | Comments (1)
Military-Style Planning
The foundation for judgment and actions in time of crisis are embedded in the strategic plans and standard procedures to deal with anticipated crisis events.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | April 29, 2009; 02:57 PM ET | Comments (0)
Lessons from WWII Leaders
What I have to offer are three renowned WWII military leaders' responses to the question of whether leaders are born or made.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | April 20, 2009; 11:48 AM ET | Comments (0)
The Highest Example
The heroics of Captain Richard Phillips reflect the expectations of military culture: that a commander is responsible for success and failure. And as Gandhi and Dr. King remind us, such leadership values are universal.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | April 17, 2009; 09:50 AM ET | Comments (0)
A Lesson From the Military
A parallel can be drawn between the ousting of GM's Rick Wagoner to the firing of some of the most highly accomplished senior leaders in the military due to the challenges at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | April 6, 2009; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (0)
Soldiers of "Glory"
The movie, about the first all-black unit in the Civil War, shows us a group of soldiers who join a dangerous enterprise for many reasons but stay together for each other and in service of a greater good.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | February 17, 2009; 11:57 AM ET | Comments (0)
Protect Core Capabilities
When the U.S. Army downsized in the late 1990s, it kept a tight focus on core capabilities, while recognizing that its most valuable asset is its people.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | February 9, 2009; 10:32 AM ET | Comments (0)
How the Army Does It
The U.S. Army offers an example of how to motivate older, experienced workers by appealing to their ideals, offering them meaningful work, and communicating that their work is valued.
By Col. Charles D. Allen | January 27, 2009; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (6)
First Measure of Success
Will President Obama succeed in establishing a vision, like FDR, and then leading the nation through these turbulent times?
By Col. Charles D. Allen | January 21, 2009; 10:34 AM ET | Comments (0)
