Charles R Webster

Officer Professional Management System XXI Knowledge Accountability: Improving Company Commanders Charles R Webster

Publisher Marketing: This study examines how the Army's Officer Professional Management System (OPMS) develops and manages company commanders. It examines the development of OPMS XXI, the officer professional development system for the twenty-first century, its purpose, and focus; how this system ensures company grade officers acquire the knowledge, skills, and attributes required to command at the company level and how this system can be improved to ensure the captains commanding the Army's companies are trained and prepared to meet the challenges of today and in the future. Through a content analysis of literature, exercise and operational trends, and doctrinal and regulatory requirements, this thesis determines where OPMS XXI falls short and suggests areas for improvement. The analysis revealed that OPMS XXI, specifically its career field-based management system, is focused on the development of the field-grade officer operational and functional area specialist and not on tactically and technically proficient company-grade officers. Yet the foundation of the career field-base management system rests on company grade officers fully developed in the technical and tactical aspects of warfighting. It is recommended that a system be developed and implemented to ensure company grade officers prior to assuming command of a company-sized unit and designation of company grade branch qualification meet specific, quantifiable requirements.