Leading Great Teams: Practicing Mission Command (173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy)

Summary: What does it take to develop trust with Company-level Commanders and First Sergeants?  COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center of Leadership, speaks with COL Michael Kloepper and CSM Christopher Clapin of the 173rd Airborne Brigade about what and who have shaped them as leaders. The command team then describes why their leader development program focuses on company-level Commanders and First Sergeants.  Ultimately, the 173rd Airborne Brigade leader development initiatives are designed to empower Squad Leaders, the drivers of unit culture and readiness.  The 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sky Soldiers) is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapid forces to the United States European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibilities. Forward based in Italy and Germany, the Brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build interoperability and strengthen the Alliance.  Guests: COL Michael F. Kloepper, Commander, 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army CSM Christopher D. Clapin, Sergeant Major, 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army Host: COL (Ret) Scott Halstead, Director of AUSA’s Center of Leadership   Resources: 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. ArmyWeb: https://www.skysoldiers.army.mil/   Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.