Project Athena in NCO PME
By Sgt. Maj. Craig A. Collins
NCO Leadership Center of Excellence
October 22, 2021
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Soldiers are the Army’s most valuable resource and
most important weapon system. And like any weapon
system, they require maintenance and development
to accomplish their objectives and maintain the upper hand
on the battlefield. Project Athena is a self-development tool
that allows noncommissioned officers (NCOs) at all levels
to see their deficiencies and correct them over the longterm. This article details Project Athena and its implementation at every level of NCO Professional Military Education (PME) to facilitate leader development.
Background
Developed by the Center for the Army Profession and
Leadership (CAPL), Project Athena utilizes a progressive
and confidential battery of assessments administered
across all levels of the NCO PME system. The assessments provide detailed feedback to help Soldiers develop self-awareness and assist in their personal and professional development over the course of their careers.
Project Athena is designed to enable
self-awareness and self-development, so
individuals become more effective leaders,
whether that comes out in competition
during the brigade and battalion command
assessment programs or for any follow-on
assignment. Soldiers deserve leaders who
are self-aware and humble enough to know
where they can improve. In turn, Soldiers
follow self-aware and humble leaders
who are committed to self-improvement.
(Fallesen et al., para. 13)
Project Athena also includes a specifically tailored
coaching component leaders can use at all echelons to
assist Soldiers in creating or modifying Common Individual Development Plans (IDP). *The Common IDP is Project Athena-specific and is created or updated after every level of PME. These IDPs are targeted training plans that identify training and leadership opportunities to improve Soldiers’ skills and competencies.
Project Athena Assessments
The assessments in Project Athena provide detailed
insight into three key developmental areas: personal, cognitive, and leadership. This enables Soldiers to identify “blind
spots”, or trouble areas, and helps build their self-awareness.
This is fundamental for both long-term career development
and for building a well-rounded leader ready for the future
battlefield (Department of the Army, 2017).
The tests are initiated at the Basic Leader Course and
continue at each subsequent PME course to include
the Sergeants Major Course. They are designed to give
specific feedback which Soldiers can then internalize and
create a Common IDP or action plan, either individually or with
assistance from a coach or mentor. They will update their IDP during every NCO PME level. When Soldiers take part
in creating their own development plans it allows them
to take ownership of their improvement while guiding it
with their personal and professional goals in mind.
Basic Leader Course (BLC)
As Soldiers become new NCOs and leaders, they are
assessed at BLC on their interpersonal skills and decision-making under pressure as a first line leader (Oney,
2021). Project Athena assessments reveal how Soldiers see
themselves, the world, and how the world (peers) sees them.
Advanced Leader Course (ALC)
At ALC, the leadership focus is often on adaptability
and being prepared for changing environments (Oney,
2021). Assessments here show Soldiers how well they
adapt to evolving situations, especially in decisive action
operations. These are designed to build upon the previous assessments from BLC and provide a realistic view of
individual growth between NCO PME courses.
Advanced Leader Course (ALC)
At ALC, the leadership focus is often on adaptability
and being prepared for changing environments (Oney,
2021). Assessments here show Soldiers how well they
adapt to evolving situations, especially in decisive action
operations. These are designed to build upon the previous assessments from BLC and provide a realistic view of
individual growth between NCO PME courses.
Senior Leader Course (SLC)
At SLC, the leadership focus shifts to critical thinking and
quick decision-making under pressure (Oney, 2021). Assessments at this level seek to improve complex problem-solving
skills as well as situational understanding, vital for mission
command and evolving operating environments.
Master Leader Course (MLC) & Sergeants Major Course
As Soldiers develop further as senior NCOs, their leadership focus becomes less on direct troop contact and shifts
toward systems and big picture decision-making (Oney,
2021). Assessments at these upper levels of PME help develop
situational awareness at the local, regional, and global scale.
Commmon IDP
The Common IDP is an important document a Soldier will use
throughout each stage of their career. Sgt. Maj. R. W. Ferguson, Mission Command Center of Excellence, describes
the Common IDP as a “Snapshot of how a Soldier/leader sees themselves and how they plan to improve, both professionally, and personally. It will outline the strengths, weaknesses,
immediate action plans, short-term and long-term goals”
(Personal communication, 19 July 2021).
The Common IDP consists of long- and short-term goals, a
section for a 90-day action plan, and the three Project
Athena insight areas: personal, cognitive, and leadership.
These sections complement each other and keep track
of a Soldier’s progress and development as they graduate
each NCO PME course, move to different units, or are
re-evaluated during counseling sessions.
Coaching
Coaching is the final component that rounds out
Project Athena. Coaches provide NCOs an outside
viewpoint and can objectively guide them in setting and
following through with goals. According to CAPL:
Coaches can come from different relationships: those who are familiar and those who are provided by the organization to help individuals and teams improve. The role of coaches involves helping leaders understand and appreciate their current level of ability and potential and guide the leader to choose ways to get better. When coaching is part of a program of individual assessments, coaches help explain the assessment results, guide the identification of strengths and developmental needs, provide insight or suggestions on how to build on knowledge and skill, and guide a leader through the creation of an action plan or development plan. Coaches help leaders gain insight that can have an immediate effect on how the leader can improve their choices and behaviors. (CAPL, 2020, p. 2)
Conclusion
Developing self-aware Soldiers capable of dominating the chaos and ambiguity of the contemporary operating environment is the desired outcome of Project Athena. Conducting operations across all warfighting
domains requires leaders who are agile, adaptable, and
flexible. Project Athena provides insight and promotes
accelerated and insightful leader development for Soldiers at all levels. The Army’s most valuable resource
deserves nothing less.
References
Department of the Army. (2017). Army Regulation 600-100:
Army profession and leadership policy. https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN3758_AR_600-100_FINAL_W
Center for the Army Profession and Leadership. (2020). Personal assessment coaching guide. https://caccapl.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/web/repository/pdf-files/Personal-Assessment-Coaching-Guide.pdfEB_.pdf
Fallesen, J., Masaracchia, C. & Saine, S. (2021). Project
Athena Enabling Leader Self-Development. Military Review. https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/July-August-2021/Masaracchia-Project-Athena/
Oney, A. (2021). Project Athena development program
coming to Army enlisted military education. Army.mil. https://www.army.mil/article/243315/project_athena_development_program_coming_to_army_enlisted_military_education
Sgt. Maj. Craig Collins currently serves as the sergeant major for the Department of Curriculum Development at the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence. Collins previously served as the Command Sergeant Major for the Field Artillery Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He is a Class 67 graduate of the Sergeants Major Course, holds a Bachelor of Science from Excelsior College and a Master of Science from Syracuse University.
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