CAL Case Studies

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Featured Case Study

Mentoring Stewardship

"Mentorship as a facet of leadership is probably the most important aspect of the Stewardship of the Profession that doesn't get the attention that it should," said COL Bircher. As a mentor, he explained how sharing advice and knowledge is helpful for the mentee as well as the mentor.

Video Case Studies - 

A Vulnerable Unity

Part 1: SSG Bell relates that he grabbed the ATV and moved through the kill zone to pick up the ANA Soldiers. They make it safely back, and that night the ANA Commander invites the US Soldiers over for dinner. SSG Bell discusses the mission impact of his decision and how relations between his unit and the Afghan forces improved.

Part 2: SSG Bell describes a mission in Afghanistan when his Company was ambushed. The unit is moving toward an Afghan village together with their Afghan National Army comrades. While moving through a valley, they are ambushed and begin to withdraw. Two Afghan Soldiers are left behind, and one of them is wounded. SSG Bell spots them trying to move back under fire.

Accountable Justice

1SG Ernie Kurica has an unknown criminal in his ranks, and that Soldier has removed a 9mm pistol from the Company Armsroom. After locking down the Company, questioning suspects, and checking paperwork, 1SG Kurica and his Commander must make a decision: Choose to pursue justice knowing that weapon may never be seen again or pursue recovery of the weapon by offering amnesty, and let the criminal walk.

Adherence to Standards

Part 1: SGT Dee talks about the close relationship Soldiers have after a deployment. He describes his reluctance to correct Soldiers that he is close to, but he understands the need to demonstrate the proper Respect. SGT Dee describes what this Respect looks like off duty.

Part 2: SGT Dee explains the reasons it is wrong for a Soldier to come to work while under the influence of alcohol. He describes his actions with the Soldier. It is the responsibility of Soldiers to look out for one another. SGT Dee talks about showing Respect, whether or not we think people "deserve" it.

Age of Accountability

After raiding a house in Iraq, CPT Dan Baringer faced a significant challenge finding the proponent for enemy activity in a local neighborhood. He suspected a young local national of the insurgent activity but lacked the necessary proof to know for sure. The boy looked fourteen or fifteen years old, but CPT Baringer's intuition told him that there was more to the boy's story than the information being shared with him from other local nationals. His unit's policy for detainees was that they could not hold or process a detainee under the age of sixteen. After calling back to his battalion TOC, CPT Baringer was told that he could bring this person back but, "there were going to be repercussions in the community and back at the unit.

An Ethical Pause

Part 1: SFC Thompson talks about being asked to drive for a re-supply mission just before she redeployed. She agrees to the task. While on the way to the supported unit, the convoy is ambushed. One of the Turkish trucks is on fire and the driver is standing in the kill zone screaming for help. SFC Thompson is driving precious cargo and is ordered to "push through."

Part 2: SFC Thompson explains why she thought it was right to pick up this man. She asks, "What would I want someone to do for me?" SFC Thompson describes the challenges of doing the right thing even when worn down from a long deployment.

Army Civilian, Soldier Values Part 1

Backbone of the Army

Army Professionals should be able to expect predictability and stability from their leaders, but at times, Soldiers are thrown "under the bus" by toxic leaders who do not wish to be held accountable for errors or mistakes.

Battle Buddies and the Battle Within

Going through some rough times after a divorce, SGT Borja turned to drinking to cope. His battle buddies knew his every move and recognized that something wasn't quite right, which led SGT Borja one step in the right direction to recovery.

Binding Wounds

LT Ben Melton found his platoon in a difficult position. During an engagement with insurgents, one of the members of his platoon engaged a local national that was fleeing the area. It appeared to the Soldier taking the shot that the local national had a pistol slipped in his belt. The platoon moved up to find that the local national did not have a weapon and was severely wounded in his shoulder. Despite the risk to his platoon and the medical assets, LT Melton made the decision to immediately provide medical care. While making this decision, LT Melton was fully aware that there would be an investigation resulting from this incident.

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Written Case Studies - 

The Two Soldiers

Heavy enemy pressure has resulted in orders for all units to move a mile to the rear to more defensible positions. LT Taggart's platoon has packed up and is ready to move. Taggart has a special mission in the adjustment.

To Shoot Or Not To Shoot

In May 2007, my wingman and I were on a routine patrol over Southern Baghdad in our AH-64Ds when a dynamic re-tasking request was received over the radio. We changed radio frequencies to contact the supported unit.

Upping The Stakes

During my recent Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deployment, I was assigned as a Military Transition Team (MiTT) Chief. During the deployment, each battalion-level maneuver element in the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) was partnered with an Iraqi Army (IA) battalion (BN).

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