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JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS – The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s Morelli Auditorium was filled with anxious colleagues, family and friends as they waited to recognize the graduates of TRADOC’s Intermediate Development Program Cohort 2015-2017 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in late July.
The graduation ceremony included four graduates proudly representing CASCOM: Tracy Bradford, U.S. Army Women’s Museum; LaShonda Easton, G8, Resource Management; Pearle Winkey, Army Logistics University; and LaTonya Worrell, GCSS-ARMY.
David Brinkley, deputy chief of staff, TRADOC G-1/4 (Personnel/Logistics); served as the graduation keynote speaker. He addressed the graduates and guests and underscored if they “do not recall anything else from my speech you would remember the word opportunity.” Opportunity is exactly what these graduates leveraged when applying for this program.
The TRADOC ILDP is a centrally funded and managed 2-year civilian leader development program designed for mid-level (GS-11-13) employees who aspire to develop the competencies necessary to assume greater responsibilities and advance in their careers. The ILDP complements the TRADOC Senior Leader Development Program and supports the overall TRADOC Civilian Leader Development Program.
A key objective of Civilian Workforce Transformation, the Army’s campaign plan to transform the Army’s civilian cohort for the 21st century, is producing a flexible, adaptable and capable workforce able to support the Army of 2025 and beyond. This includes the development of civilian employees who are technically proficient and well-grounded leaders.
The ILDP has four key components -- developmental assignments, leadership training, mentoring and self-development through reading, discussion and networking. These components are intended to enhance decision-making skills, develop critical-thinking concepts; improve communications skills; and broaden operational experience.
Each participant is resourced $10,000 in funding to pursue formal learning opportunities. Participants independently canvass for courses that are tailored to their individual developmental needs, as well as, selecting learning opportunities that would strengthening competency gaps. Graduates’ access to formal education included universities such as Harvard, MIT and University of Virginia.
Seizing these educational opportunities conveys a commanding message that the graduates are committed to investing professionally in their future and the future of the Army. Winkey shared that the program’s emphasis on “professional development and continuing education is integral to the continual learning process.” This program has proven to be in the elite category when it comes to exposing growing civilians to the best continuing educational opportunities available. The graduates also were exposed to learning opportunities outside of the formal classroom; Graduates trained at the Pentagon where they obtained a wealth of knowledge and experiences that will resonate with them throughout their careers.
Another Lee graduate, Worrell, articulated her takeaway from the program and how she is primed to meet the demands of competent leaders. She noted, “ILDP provided me with the opportunity to obtain a clear perception of myself and others. I was able to clearly identify my strengths and weakness.” She said she clearly understands this is only the beginning of an ongoing commitment to learning and leadership advancement. She added, “My goal is to maximize those identified strengths and grow as a result of my weaknesses. I find myself applying this skillset to my work and home life.”
Participants were assigned formal mentors who provided them with a professional relationship that linked them to real world experiences through their mentors. Winkey said the mentor-mentee relationship increased her morale and provided valuable feedback to assist in her career development. “My mentor was a seasoned professional who assisted me in growth and development while providing direction and advice from her own career experiences and education.”
The program’s objective is to grow civilian leaders through an array of opportunities and exposures; but, it also unintentionally cultivated a cohort of professionals who were closely bonded throughout this journey.
“The most unexpected reward of the ILDP was the continued inspiration and encouragement I received from my cohort. We entered this journey together in 2015 and grew as individuals and as a team through two years of amazing training, mentoring, and coaching opportunities,” said Bradford.
Each participant also was required to complete developmental assignments that are intended to stretch them outside of their comfort zones. Bradford gave high commendation to the CASCOM G8 where she completed her developmental assignment. “During my developmental assignment in CASCOM G8, I was encouraged to step completely out of my comfort zone and strategically plan for a long-term initiative.” Developmental assignments allowed the graduates to gain work experience and knowledge while embedded in an external organization for 60-90 days.
As a result of the program, all of the graduates emphasize they have gained confidence, new skill sets, improved self-awareness, sharpened their critical thinking skills, and increased their ability to canvass and recognize new opportunities for advancement. Easton said the ILDP experience “exceeded my expectations. Some programs ‘talk the talk’ but they miss the mark of delivering tangibles and intangibles that facilitates growth and development. This program has definitively set our course for the future”
This high-quality program proves to be intensive and collaborative and is growing future leaders through expanding their abilities, exposure to advanced professional learning while solidifying the growth and leader-driven mindset. Participants realize that this is an emerging journey that is in its infancy stage. The graduates must continue to leverage their learned skills and carefully hone their careers (for what Brinkley identified on graduation day) - the next “opportunity.”
Don Hall, director, Deputy Chief of Staff, G8, said he encourages leaders to support this program that will pay dividends for not only TRADOC but the Army as well.
“The TRADOC Intermediate Leader Development Program is designed to develop our promising GS 11-13’s into the next generation of Senior Civilian Leaders,” he said. “It has hit the mark. Every single participant from CASCOM has finished this program with a much broader perspective. They will ensure our Army innovates and keeps us with the pace of change in an uncertain world. Senior leaders should support this program by sending their most promising people, serving as mentors and facilitating meaningful developmental assignments.”
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.17.2017 09:17 |
| Story ID: | 245132 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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