The Need to Train Data-literate U.S. Army Commanders

In his commentary, Erik Davis underscores the urgent need for data-literate commanders in the U.S. Army. The article sheds light on the Army's prevailing inefficient practices, including the time-consuming manual transfer of information and the senior leadership's general discomfort with data interpretation. Despite the Army's strategic documents emphasizing the significance of data, the current systems in place fall short. As the Army considers millennials for high-ranking positions, there is a notable gap in assessing data literacy in their evaluation programs. The commentary suggests that data literacy should be a core criterion, and not just an optional skill for future leaders. Davis argues for integrating data-literacy training within the Army’s professional military education and recommends adopting innovative methods like the data test given by economist Steven Levitt to students. Ultimately, Davis contends that embracing data literacy will propel the Army towards innovative solutions, ensuring more efficient decision-making, and enhancing the Army's competitive edge on the modern battlefield.

Read More: https://warontherocks.com/2023/10/the-need-to-train-data-literate-u-s-army-commanders/