The qualities required of the officer are numerous. It takes an amalgam of qualities to make an effective officer and the overall mix of the qualities is very much dependent on the role which the officer is expected to play. Sometimes, these qualities will be inherited but, more often, they will form and develop over years and experience. Selection of officer candidates must look more for potential and trainability rather than raw, developed qualities. Whilst officers have to be medically and physically fit, the numerous medical requirements for differing roles are considerable. In consequence, the good officer in our world’s society is a rare breed and that is rightly and essentially so.
Over the years, every military organization concerned with leadership training and development has developed its own list of ‘Leadership Qualities’. The following lists are just 4 examples from many:
| US ARMY | ROYAL AIR FORCE COLLEGE | CANADIAN ARMED FORCES | US MARINE CORPS |
| Bearing | Confidence | Loyalty | Integrity |
| Courage (Physical and Moral) | Determination | Professional Competence | Knowledge |
| Decisiveness | Initiative | Courage | Courage |
| Endurance | Awareness | Honesty | Decisiveness |
| Initiative | Effective Intelligence | Common Sense | Dependability |
| Integrity | Decisiveness | Good Judgement | Initiative |
| Judgement | Manner | Confidence | Tact |
| Justice | Self-analysis | Initiative | Justice |
| Loyalty | Tact | Enthusiasm | |
| Tact | Self Control | Bearing | |
| Unselfishness | Humour | Endurance | |
| Personal Example | Unselfishness | ||
| Energy | Loyalty | ||
| Enthusiasm | Judgement | ||
| Perseverance | |||
| Decisiveness | |||
| Justice | |||
Successful officers are those who possess all of the aptitudes declared as important for the branch in which they are operating. The importance of the different aptitude domains needs to be determined for each specialization and then suitable assessment methods can be tailored accordingly. Officers must exhibit the PQs that allow them to balance the needs of individual personnel, the needs of his/her personnel as a group and the needs of the task in hand. At the same time they must take into account, the organizational culture and the facilities available within the organization in which they are operating.
Nevertheless, another important factor should no be ignored at the part of selection – person- environment fit. Armed forces have a distinctive and strong character and may expect more (or different) things from their personnel. The degree to which individuals identify with this character may influence whether they remain a part of it. Information deficit and unmet expectations are often found to be major reasons for voluntary
withdrawal from training. Although it is not part of officer qualities, an assessment of candidates’ reasons for joining, understanding and expectations of a military career and lifestyle would prove beneficial.
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