army argumentative essay format

The Field Grade Leader

Organizational leadership in the us army, u.s. army cgsc: overview and advice for the class of 2021.

When I found out that I was selected to attend resident Intermediate Level Education (ILE) at Fort Leavenworth, I immediately realized how little I knew about the course. My research brought up numerous articles from officers discussing their year at Fort Leavenworth. These articles are what I found most useful and are the reason that I decided to write my own. Hopefully, my experience and advice serve two purposes. The first is to assist future classes in understanding the course of instruction and aid in your preparation for the “Best Year of Your Life.” Second, this article will be my attempt to, as General Funk says, “Leave the jersey in a better place than I found it.”

U.S. Army Command and General Staff College 101

Our academic year consisted of three phases: Common Core, the Advanced Operations Course (AOC), and two terms of electives. Classes during all three phases are taught almost entirely by instructors from the Departments of Tactics (DTAC), History, Command and Leadership, Logistics and Resource Operations (DLRO), and Joint, Interagency and Multinational Operations (DJIMO). In general, we attended class between four to eight hours, Monday through Friday, at the Lewis and Clark Center in our assigned staff group (SG) classroom. Each staff group consists of approximately 16 students from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, interagency (CIA, USAID, State Department, etc.) and partner nation armed forces.

Each staff group had three faculty members consisting of a mix of active-duty officers and civilian instructors. Instruction during Common Core and AOC was almost entirely at the staff group level with a few exceptions for classes that are taught by subject matter experts.

Our class started in early August with Common Core lasting until the Thanksgiving break. Common Core culminated with the X100 exam, which is a comprehensive test of everything covered in Common Core. It is a two-part assessment that starts with a multiple-choice test and ends with an oral board. During the oral board, which lasts about an hour, students answered questions from 3 faculty members from outside their section.

AOC consisted of a mix of classes and planning exercises. Planning exercises consisted of one or two staff groups acting as a brigade, division, or higher-level staff. During some of the planning exercises, students worked as the staff for both friendly and enemy forces. Planning exercises lasted between two to five days with a mix of four and eight hour days. Following AOC, we transitioned to electives.

Electives were two, four-week terms, with students taking course loads based on what their branch, functional area, or service required. In addition, students could take course that lined up with their personal and professional interests. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our elective requirements and terms were adjusted and taught exclusively online.

Throughout Common Core, AOC, and electives, we were evaluated through multiple-choice tests, presentations, research papers, argumentative essays, class participation, forum discussions, group projects, planning products, field grade officer competency reports, and briefings of all kinds.

Following electives, the last couple of weeks consisted of out-processing, PCS preparation, and a graduation ceremony, all heavily modified because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advice for Future Classes

Prepare Now

One of the main reasons that I had a positive experience is because I had a good idea of what to expect before attending. Research, discussions with previous graduates, expectation management, and having a “Whole-Of-Family” approach to resident ILE before I arrived set me up to have a rewarding year. Read and understand the doctrine referenced during the pre-courses and tests that you will complete before arrival. A thorough understanding of this doctrine will make Common Core much easier.

Make Your Staff Group Great

Second, only to your own attitude, your staff group is the biggest factor in determining whether your CGSC experience is positive or negative. You can’t do anything to influence what staff group you are in, but you can play a huge role in its success or failure. I was lucky to be placed in a fantastic staff group that worked well together from day one. Your staff group may take more work. Put in that work, and it will pay dividends throughout the year.

Decide what you want to get out of the academic year before you arrive. You can earn a master’s degree, compete for student awards, improve yourself physically, prioritize your studies, or some combination of all these. Having an endstate to work towards will help maintain focus on the areas that are most important to you.

Learn (or Remember) How to Learn

If you have not been in an academic environment for a long time, you’ll need to dust off and improve your study habits from college. There is a lot of reading, writing, and information to digest at CGSC. Writing is one area where you may struggle if you don’t put in the time to improve. Thankfully CGSC has a great learning resource center to improve study habits, time management, speed reading, and writing.

Knowledge Management

Have a system to manage information in both digital and analog formats before you arrive. Your ability to rapidly find information from multiple disparate sources while taking exams will significantly affect your grades. If you are the type of person with thousands of emails in your inbox and a computer monitor filled with icons, you need to figure out a knowledge management system that works before you start classes.

If you do not have a good laptop or tablet, I recommend getting one. Wi-Fi is available in all the classrooms and the library at Fort Leavenworth. Having a laptop or tablet in class makes life a lot easier. At home, having multiple monitors helps when writing and taking exams. The COVID-19 pandemic will, most likely, change or interrupt in-class instruction during the 2021 academic year. Having a good home office will help minimize these interruptions. I also recommend purchasing the premium versions of Grammarly, Zotero, and Quizlet. Grammarly is a great proofreading program, Zotero makes writing research papers easier, and Quizlet will help when studying for the X100 exam.

Be Flexible

At the time of this writing, it is unclear how COVID-19 will affect the class of 2021. Regardless of how this class is conducted the biggest challenge will be in integrating and developing a staff group when not everyone is at Fort Leavenworth for the entire time. Because of the large role it plays in your CGSC experience, I recommend prioritizing staff group integration and development as early as possible. As mentioned earlier, your staff group is really, really, important.

Final Thoughts

Every officer that attends resident ILE at Fort Leavenworth will have a unique experience; uniquely good, bad, or average. Take the classwork seriously and put in the time needed to accomplish your goals. CGSC was not “The best year of my life,” but it was a great one.

MAJ Philip Henke is currently attending AMSP at SAMS. MAJ Henke is a Cyber and Electronic Warfare Officer who began his commissioned service in the Infantry. MAJ Henke served 5 years on active duty as a Cannon Crewmember where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant before attending Kansas State University and OCS. MAJ Henke most recently served as the Cyber and Electronic Warfare Operations Officer for the 7 th Special Forces Group. He can be reached on DOD webmail and on Twitter @PhilipHenke    

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

One thought on “ U.S. Army CGSC: Overview and Advice for the Class of 2021 ”

Great work, Phil. Sending this out to next year’s students now to get them ready.

Comments are closed.

Importance of Military Essays ⚔

Essays on the military are critical because they help us comprehend the military’s history, tactics, and effects on society. They give us a place to conduct in-depth study and analysis, enabling us to examine and assess many facets of the military career.

We may learn a great deal about the complexity of combat, the advancement of military strategies and equipment, and the military’s influence on international politics and security by reading and writing on military topics. These pieces encourage critical thinking, spark intellectual debate, and improve military knowledge and study in addition to instructing and informing readers.

When writing a military essay, you may explore compare and contrast essay topics such as the similarities and differences between military strategies or the contrasting perspectives on the impact of warfare in different historical periods. For example, you can compare the military tactics used in World War I and World War II or contrast the views on the effectiveness of air power in modern warfare.

Types of Military Essays 🎖

Military essays come in various formats with various functions and writing styles. Here are four specific categories:

☑ Expository essays

 These papers seek to offer a concise and impartial exposition of a military subject or idea. They investigate the issue logically and methodically while providing factual information. Expository essays can be written on various subjects, including the history of a particular fight, the composition and organization of a military unit, and the operation of military technology.

☑ Argumentative Essays

In a military setting, an argumentative essay will express a particular point of view or argument and back it up with facts. Critical thinking and persuasive writing skills are needed to make a strong argument in these essays. Argumentative military essays could examine the moral ramifications of military action, debate the merits of a specific defense plan, or assess the efficacy of a military strategy.

☑ Comparative essay

Comparative essays analyze and contrast various elements of military systems, tactics, or historical events. They draw attention to contrasts, similarities, and patterns to comprehend the topic better. A comparative essay, for instance, can examine the parallels and differences between ancient and current combat or contrast the military strategies of various countries.

☑ Analytical essays

They dive into the specifics of a military subject, dissecting it into its component elements and critically analyzing them. To comprehend the subject, these essays require thorough investigation, data interpretation, and theoretical frameworks. Analyzing the origins and effects of a particular fight, evaluating the influence of military technologies on conflict, or reviewing the efficacy of a military doctrine are a few examples of analytical military studies.

If you’re looking to incorporate a capstone project into your military essay, consider exploring various capstone project ideas related to the military. These can range from analyzing the effectiveness of military training programs to developing strategies for improving military logistics or examining the ethical implications of autonomous weapon systems.

Format and Structure of a Military Essay 🪖

Here is a broad outline for a military essay, though precise requirements may change based on the assignment or institution:

☑️ Introduction

Start your paragraph with a compelling opening sentence or hook to capture the reader’s interest.

Describe the subject’s history and how it relates to the military.

Declare the essay’s thesis or significant point in clear terms.

Each paragraph should concentrate on a distinct subtopic or argument supporting the thesis.

Start each paragraph with a topic phrase that states the paragraph’s central theme.

Include examples, analysis, and supporting data to support the core point.

Use transitional words or phrases to transition between paragraphs and concepts seamlessly.

☑️ Discussion and Analysis

Discuss the implications of the evidence offered in the body paragraphs after it has been analyzed.

Think critically and offer perceptive criticism on the subject.

Consider opposing viewpoints or arguments, then reasonably and logically respond to them.

Summarise the key ideas covered in the essay, focusing on their importance.

Indicate how the essay’s main argument or thesis has been reinforced by restating it.

☑️ Citations & References

Include a separate section or bibliography for references, if necessary.

Use an appropriate citation format (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago) to give credit where credit is due.

Make that the reference list and in-text citations are formatted correctly and consistently.

Writing Tips for Military Essays

Research: Investigate your issue in-depth using reliable sources, including academic journals, books, government publications, and reliable websites. Obtain a range of viewpoints to create a comprehensive grasp of the subject.

Creating a Strong Thesis: Create a thesis statement that summarizes your essay’s essential points and is clear and concise. Throughout the essay, specific, contested arguments should support your thesis statement.

Creating an outline or structure for your essay guarantees the concepts are presented logically. Your essay should be broken up into an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should contain a primary topic or point supporting your thesis.

Using Proper Language: Use a clear, concise, and formal tone when writing. Use proper and suitable military jargon and concepts. Aim to avoid jargon or excessively technical language that could mislead readers unfamiliar with military lingo.

Accurately citing your sources will ensure they receive due credit. Use the APA, MLA, or Chicago citation styles as specified by your instructor or institution. Use in-text citations for direct quotations, paraphrases, and other material that is not well known.

Military essay examples

“The Impact of Military Technology on Modern Warfare” examines how the character of warfare has changed due to developments in military technology, including drones, cyberwarfare, and artificial intelligence, and what this means for military strategy and ethics.

“Leadership Lessons from Historical Military Figures”: Examine the traits and tactics of historic military titans like Sun Tzu, Alexander the Great, and General George Patton, and discuss how they apply to modern military leadership.

Examine the historical development, present difficulties, and prospects for women serving in the armed forces in “The Role of Women in the Military.” Discuss how gender integration has affected military culture and effectiveness.

“The Use of Propaganda in Military Conflicts”: Examine how various countries and their armed forces have used propaganda to sway public opinion, inspire soldiers, and affect the results of military operations.

“Ethical Dilemmas in Modern Warfare”: Examine the moral dilemmas that military personnel face in today’s conflicts, such as the use of drones, the killing of civilians, and torture. Analyze various ethical systems and consider possible answers to these problems.

To incorporate the concept of a capstone project in your military essay, it’s crucial to understand the four essential elements that make up a successful capstone project. These elements include identifying a problem or challenge, conducting in-depth research, developing a comprehensive solution or approach, and presenting your findings through a well-structured and persuasive essay, for example, in “I want to be soldier” Essay .

For a concise and focused military essay, you may employ a 5-paragraph essay format . This format includes an introduction, three body paragraphs discussing key points or arguments, and a conclusion. It allows you to present your ideas clearly and organized, making it easier for readers to follow your thoughts.

Remember to pick a subject that interests you personally and fits the assignment’s or course’s requirements. To make your military essay exciting and instructive, do extensive research, create a fascinating topic, and employ concise, well-structured arguments backed by proof.

⏭ ORDER CUSTOM MILITARY ESSAY ⏮

As a result, military essays are critical in helping us learn more about the military, its history, tactics, and effects on society. They give people a place to conduct research, analyze information, and engage in critical thought, which promotes intellectual development and adds to the body of knowledge in military studies. Whether it’s an argumentative essay on the ethics of war or an expository essay on military technology, these pieces provide insightful analysis.

By diving into the complexities of military themes, we acquire a greater understanding of the sacrifices and difficulties military people face and the broader ramifications of their actions. Military essays provide a way to explore, analyze, and connect with the many facets of the military profession, making them an essential instrument in education, research, and intellectual conversation.

Writing a military essay can be a tricky task. Hence, you should seek professional help. There are various advantages to ordering your essay from WritingMetier . Our staff of expert writers, who specialize in military subjects, guarantees thoroughly researched and excellent articles.

You will receive personalized and unique content punctually provided and treated with strict confidentiality. We are the best option for your essay or military research paper demands because of our commitment to academic brilliance, user-friendly method, and focus on customer happiness.

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Laura Orta is an avid author on Writing Metier's blog. Before embarking on her writing career, she practiced media law in one of the local media. Aside from writing, she works as a private tutor to help students with their academic needs. Laura and her husband share their home near the ocean in northern Portugal with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

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