Unclassified / FOUO

General Mark Milley

Chief of Staff of the Army
Army Staff In Brief
As of 9 September 2015

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A Soldiers Life

A Soldier dies in combat. At Brigade level he is a social security

numberthat is tracked. At Division level he is a storyboard. At
Corps level he is a statistic
But at Company and Platoon level he is a gaping hole in the
souls of a hundred men. To his Family, it is the end of the world.
- Jim Gourley, 2010

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Natl Interests
Survival of the
Nation.
Prevention of
catastrophic
attack against U.S.
territory.
Security of the
global economic
system.
Security,
confidence, and
reliability of our
allies.
Protection of
American citizens
abroad.
Preservation and
extension of
universal values.

Driving Forces / Conditions

Economics

Security
Domestic
Context

International
Politics

Demographics /
Mobility

Power

Technology

Information

Environment /
Natural
Resources

Health

China
Russia
nK
Iran
CT

Iraq
AFG

Uncertainty Pace of change Instability - Conflict

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POTUS

The security of the United

States, its citizens, and U.S.
allies and partners.

A strong, innovative, and

growing U.S. economy in an
open international economic
system that promotes
opportunity and prosperity.

Respect for universal values at

home and around the world.

A rules-based international
order advanced by U.S.
leadership that promotes
peace, security, and
opportunity through stronger
cooperation to meet global
challenges.

Higher Guidance
SECDEF
3 Priorities
Help POTUS Make Decisions
Ensure Strength / Health of
Todays Fighting Force
Build the Joint Force of the
Future (by Embracing Change)

8 Big Rocks
Reform: Acquisition,
Compensation, Infrastructure
Future Strategy-ProgramPosture
Technological Big Bets
AVF and Civilian Workforce of
the Future
Operationalizing the
Rebalance to the Pacific
Improving Cyber Posture /
Capabilities
Improving Space Warfighting
Posture and Capabilities
Thinking Through Policy and
Posture Towards Iran

Sec Army
Prevent Sexual Assault
Balance and Transition the
Army
Champion Soldiers, Civilians
and Families
Continue to Bolster Army
Activities in the Asia-Pacific
Region
Ensure Personal Accountability
on and off the Battlefield
Tell the Army Story
Implement Army Total Force
Policy
Prudently Manage Reset,
Modernization, Research and
Development
Strengthen the Defense of
Army Networks and Build the
Army Cyber Force
Strengthen Installations
Through Effective Energy
Solutions

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Purpose / Mission / Focus Areas

Purpose: Win our Nations wars.

Army Mission:
On order, the U.S. Army deploys anywhere in the world to fight and win our Nations
wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of
military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders.
We do this by:
o
o

Executing Title 10 and Title 32 United States Code directives, to include organizing,
equipping, and training forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained combat operations
on land.
Accomplishing missions assigned by the President, Secretary of Defense and combatant
commanders, and transforming for the future.

My Initial Focus Areas

Readiness
Develop future force
Care of Soldiers, Families, and Civilians

Readiness is our #1 priority; there is no other #1

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First Principles

Winning Matters!

Accomplish the Mission

An Uncertain World
Paris 1914

Readiness
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What Matters

Commander Centric
Trust
Loyalty
Integrity
Direct Communicator
Iterative
Socratic method - Listening
Situational understanding / situational
awareness
Discussion Strategic to tactical
Strategic thinking Long-term view
So what
Bastards up at Squad
Fun / Enjoyment

Saying no to CDRs
Bad news
Lying
Humility / Hubris
Chain of Command
Command Climate
Zero defect
Use of My Name
Abuse of power
Professionalism
Email
Slides
Bureaucracy
Time ManagementImportant vs. Urgent

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Mission Command

Lead
Guidance / Intent / Mission
Command
Understand, Visualize, Describe,
Direct, Act, and Assess

Constraints, Restraints, LIMFACS

Priorities/Focus
Motivate
Empower
Resource

Constraints
must do from Higher

Task / Purpose / Endstate

Restraints
not allowed by Higher

Goals

Purpose/Endstate

Limitations facts

Make Decisions

Disobey
Character, Courage, Competence, Communicating, Commitment, Compassion, Confidence

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POTUS
SecDef
CJCS
JCS
Congress
- SecArmy
----- USA
VCSA
DAS
SMA
Front Office

Roles

-----

XO

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Staff Role

Plan, Develop COAs, Recommend, Coordinate, Synchronize,

Resource, Supervise Execution
De-conflict
Problems
ID, Solve, Develop Solutions
Everyone contributes
Credit to others I & Me vs. We & Our
Take responsibility
Be the weatherman

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What I Expect of You

A staff that is committed to

Paying attention to my priorities
Working as a Team of Teams Micro engagement Micro
management
Communicating aggressively horizontally and vertically
Candor
Advancing current initiatives

Actively working to identify new initiatives

Caring for our people
Purposeful work

Recognition and appreciation

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Final Thoughts

Never forget we serve the Soldier on point wherever deployed

our individual and collective effort supports Americas most
valuable resource
Do or do not there is no try - Yoda
Winning Matters Surabachi!

Golden Rule Will Rebound

The Army is a great team with a tremendous reputation; build on
that, but dont rest on it
Let no ghosts say they died because we failed to ensure
they were ready for combat
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