BREAKING DOCTRINE: The Army Coaching Program

Newly released on the Army Publications Web Site, Army Directive 2023-09 establishes The Army Coaching Program. Signed by the Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth, the directive establishes the Army Coaching Program as "a non-attributional, leader-focused, career-long program that emphasizes self-development, performance, and potential to cultivate war-winning talents in support of the Army mission. The Army Coaching Program provides a valuable coaching capability to support Soldiers and Civilians in identifying the foundation for a successful, long-term career."

Notably, the directive specifically differentiates "coaching" from traditional Army counseling.

Goals laid-out in the directive include:

(1) Differentiate Army coaching from performance counseling and mentoring.

(2) Provide a coach to HQDA Civilians and Soldiers.

(3) Provide a coach at pivotal assignments in a leader’s career.

(4) Promote the effectiveness of coaching as an investment in Army leadership.

(5) Implement peer coaching and provide introductory training on coaching skills to leaders.

(6) Ensure that coaching is a voluntary resource for personal and professional growth.

(7) Liaison with, assist, and accept assistance from outside agencies and departments on coaching policy, program development, support, and training.

(8) Leverage external coaches and provide oversight and guidance for external coaching provided to the Army.

(9) Develop a qualified, voluntary cadre of Army coaches certified to industry standards to support our workforce now and to further develop our Soldiers and Civilians for Life.

(10) Develop coaching skills in supervisors, managers, and executives by embedding coaching in leadership programs for targeted populations (such as the Senior Executive Service and participants in onboarding programs and new supervisor training).

The directive tasks TRADOC and the Army G1 with coming up with policies and procedures for the program. It will operate under the direction of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) (ASA (M&RA).

What will this mean in the long-run of leader development? We shall see.