How Can the US Military Screen for Key Leaders?
Stuart Scheller
@stuartscheller
I started my senior advisor role in the Defense Department this week.
This has been a long journey. None longer than the last six months of this hiring process. Turns out, when you answer yes to, “have you been imprisoned in the last seven years” and “have you been court-martialed in the last seven years,” the security investigation and USA jobs hiring process moves slowly.
Since I made my last post in January, I've turned down many news interviews, and need to make it clear, I will not be doing interviews for the next couple of years unless my bosses ask.
I believe in SecDef Hegseth fully. The military is in desperate need of change and there can be no change without disrupters. For those who criticize, wanting stability and the status quo… you are the real problem. Assessment: The current promotion system leads to military leadership underperforming with a large contingent of “yes-men” for senior leaders.
My immediate leadership in OSD P&R is very sharp, and very busy. That is why I am amazed that for the time being they have afforded me the freedom to pursue what I see as the problem: The military incentivizing careerism (pleasing a boss) more than performance (how effective you are in your trade).
The question I want to solve: How can the United States military build a screening system (competition) for the performance of key leaders. I will start with the service leadership in P&R and then work my way down and into the services. The Army’s Battalion Commander Assessment Program is something I’m particularly interested in. Also Marine Corps SLTE. What works? What doesn’t? Can the successes be replicated? How can this be incorporated into promotion and not just command selection? Does the “I have to please my boss” OPR, OER, FitRep process need overhauled or at least incorporate a variety of Enders game competition?
You have ideas… drop it in the comments.
I look forward to having this conversation face to face with old friends and enemies.
Oh… and I’m back on global if you want to shoot me a note that way.
SES Scheller
6:49 PM · Apr 30, 2025
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https://x.com/stuartscheller/status/1917712979618902381
