Killer Captains

This study examined selected training methods used to train officers at three institutions charged with the development of tactically competent company commanders: the Army's Armor Captains Career Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky; the Marine Corp's Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico, Virginia; and the Australian Army's Combat Officer Advanced Course. Using fourteen evaluation criteria, the study measured the degree to which thirteen training methods aligned with the principles of adult learning, based primarily on course documents and other primary sources. The study concluded that current training methods do generally align well with the three principles of motivation, readiness to learn, and the role of experience, but do not align well with the principles of the learner's self-concept, orientation to learning, and need to know. These findings indicate that, although current training methods enjoy important strengths, significant room for improvement exists in the methods used to produce tactically competent company commanders.