Topic > Education and Training: Critical Resources for an Army Leader

'Leadership, the lifeblood of an Army, makes a difference every day in the United States Army.' It is not possible to have great leadership without experienced and competent leaders. For leaders to be the best in their profession, they need wisdom and understanding in the tasks at hand. This includes anything from firing a weapon, performing first aid, or writing documents. Leaders can acquire these skills and knowledge through training and education. These factors are both different, but they complement each other. A leader will need both training and education to become the absolute best. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Training is a crucial resource for any leader of any organization. It focuses on skill sets to improve performance for a specific task or group of tasks. Training can consist of practical exercises, both theoretical and real-life demonstrations. Training can be completed in a short amount of time, especially when compared to education. Learning skills first makes it easier to understand the concepts taught in education. Training is more effective when the person conducting it is an expert in the subject. Leaders can conduct training inside a classroom or in an outdoor environment. Training is not an institutional way of learning. It's more of an apprenticeship style of education. Learn through the experience of their instructor and what they discover while doing the activity. Leaders can conduct training by performing the activity while on the job. A specific example would be learning to shoot a rifle during basic combat training. The NCO will show the soldier how to hold and aim a rifle. First demonstrating the task, then accompanying the trainee step by step. The importance of training is exponential for organizational leaders. Education is a way of learning through reading, lectures or discussion. It is a very important tool that a leader can use in their team. It covers a wide range of information, as well as concepts and theories on a specific topic or series of topics. It allows the trainee to see a bigger picture than training alone can give them. For training to be most efficient, it is important to educate yourself on the essential elements of a task. This will allow you to find much faster and more efficient ways to complete a task. With the knowledge from education, one can learn how to apply different concepts to the task at hand. Instructors typically deliver instruction in a classroom or laboratory-type environment. Education often takes much longer than training, but it prepares you for a long period of time. A good example is when NCOs teach trainees the fundamentals of shooting a rifle. The leader illustrates concepts that can improve the trainee's accuracy with a rifle. These essential elements include the sight picture, steady breathing, and trigger pull. Even if it is not practical, knowledge can enhance the training received. Education and training work best when they coincide with each other. The training provides a foundation so they can expand their knowledge. By following the training first, you can more easily acquire knowledge from the instructions. Education gives you the ability to apply concepts and knowledge to your education. Furthermore, with the combination of both, trainees can become experts on the topic or task.