Freedom 6 Sends: Leadership, Initiative and Innovation

By Lt. Gen. Ben HodgesMay 12, 2015

Freedom 6 sends: Leadership, Initiative and Innovation
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Team,

The security environment in Europe has changed considerably in the last 16 months. Shrinking defense budgets in the U.S. and among our European Allies means the need for new, innovative and effective solutions to our common challenges is imperative; 30,000 Soldiers in U.S. Army Europe today must create the strategic effect of 300,000 of decades past.

As an organization, we're already working on new solutions to assurance and deterrence by employing the Regionally Aligned Forces, reserve component and interns, and exercising with our Allies and partners to share capabilities that improve effects, close capability gaps, and increase interoperability in times of limited sourcing.

Europe, as our home forward, provides a great stage for developing our leaders and capabilities. Atlantic Resolve is the best example of young U.S. officers and NCOs in positions of great responsibility. I believe there is no other place in the world more suited for individual Soldiers to prove their talent and ability for creative thinking.

Events like the Freedom Shock series, where we are able to train and improve multiple skills and systems in a joint environment to prove our responsiveness, are prime examples of effects-based, creative and innovative thinking.

Innovation and initiative are key components to reach our common goals and develop our leaders and capabilities. As our adversaries adapt, so must we in order to reach the required effects.

Innovation doesn't happen unless there's a burning need for change; Russia's illegal occupation of the Crimea and continued aggression in Ukraine has created that need. We cannot be ready for the challenges of the future because, simply, our enemies aren't the same and won't fight the same way either.

History has proven that the innovators and risk-takers make the decisive difference in winning. Recently on our staff ride to Fort Eben Emael, the USAREUR captains in attendance learned of the ingenuity of the German Soldiers in taking what was touted as an impenetrable Belgian fort; less than 60 German soldiers took the fort -- manned by more than 600 Belgians -- using gliders and shaped charges and after their platoon leader wasn't able to make it on the initial assault.

I expect the USAREUR team to reward our risk-takers and innovators for their creativity and thinking. Seek out those who don't think the same way as everyone else, who see the world's challenges through a different lens. The best ideas often come from the people sitting quietly in the back of the room who may not have any authority but could certainly be innovation leaders.

We must dedicate resources -- money, time and effort included -- to innovation and initiative and setting conditions for both to happen. Of course, new methods don't always work. When our innovative ideas don't succeed, we have to shake off the feeling of failure and try again. Learn from the shortcomings of one attempt in order to make your next attempt better.

Innovation and initiative on all levels is vital for our effectiveness more than ever. I fully trust the senior USAREUR leadership to guide and promote assuming risk and offering room for innovation and initiative in both officers, NCOs and Soldiers.

Who are the innovators in your section? What have you done to improve the way we do things?

Army Strong! Strong Europe!

LTG Ben Hodges

Freedom 6

Related Links:

U.S. Army Europe

U.S. Army Europe on Facebook

U.S. Army Europe on Flickr

U.S. Army Europe on Twitter

U.S. Army Europe on YouTube