Journal of Character and Leadership Development

Character in English-Language Military Leadership Doctrine

Hans Christian Breede, Mary Crossan — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Character is widely recognized as a critical aspect of individual and group performance, and character’s applicability to the military is no exception. Character serves as an explicit entry requirement, a desired outcome within training institutions, and a focal point of emphasis across various military organizations.
Objective: This article examines how character is discussed within military leadership doctrine and how it is framed. More specifically, how has “good character” been understood and measured?
Methods: This study examined the leadership doctrine of six English-speaking militaries using the Leader Character Framework (LCF), a framework developed in recent leadership scholarship, to identify the dimensions of character that are emphasized. This examination is carried out using a simple quantitative analysis technique, using the keywords in the LCF as specific recording units.
Results: The findings revealed that while the six militaries identified similar character dimensions, they also displayed a lack of emphasis on several important dimensions, which could lead to character imbalances. Research on the LCF suggests that such imbalances can manifest in vices of deficiency or excess, rather than the intended virtuous state.Results: The findings revealed that while the six militaries identified similar character dimensions, they also displayed a lack of emphasis on several important dimensions, which could lead to character imbalances. Research on the LCF suggests that such imbalances can manifest in vices of deficiency or excess, rather than the intended virtuous state.
Conclusions: This study offers several avenues for further research and highlights specific aspects of character that should be reinforced and emphasized to enhance military leadership.

A Case Study in Resilience: Lessons from Israeli Hostages

Yasmine L. Konheim-Kalkstein — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Drawing on five publicly available hostage accounts involving four Israeli women and one Israeli man held between 54 and 484 days in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks, this practice-oriented case study highlights resilience strategies described as supporting endurance under extreme captivity. As a case study, it does not involve statistical sampling, designed experiments, or outcome evaluation; yet case studies can be suggestive, instructive, and enlightening. This case study uses selected testimonies to clarify mechanisms of meaning, connection, spirituality, and agency relevant to leader development. Across the accounts, a sense of self-transcendent purpose—meaning derived from commitment to values, faith, relationships, or responsibilities beyond one’s self-interest—appears repeatedly, expressed through spirituality and social connection and described as helping preserve a sense of personal agency. These strategies resonate with established psychological research and align with the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness framework, particularly its emphasis on spiritual readiness as a foundation for resilience.

The Middle Matters!

Dana H. Born — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Middle leaders, often overlooked in favor of executives at the top and frontline staff at the bottom, are the essential connective tissue of organizations. They bridge vision and execution, shape culture through daily interactions, and translate values into practice. In times of volatility, they become steady hands and trusted voices, guiding teams through uncertainty. Yet these leaders face shrinking ranks,
expanding responsibilities, and insufficient support. To close the growing leadership gap in the middle, organizations must reframe middle management as a strategic asset, developing, empowering, and honoring these leaders as indispensable drivers of culture, performance, and moral leadership.

Character, Warrior Identity, and Moral Leadership: Union Colonel Charles Gilpin at Monocacy and in Peace

Stephen A. Goldman — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ten Tips for Developing Leadership Empathy

Terry Drabant — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Fighter Pilot Debrief: Continuous Learning from 15,000 Feet

Brandon Roth, Petrut Gogalniceanu — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Core Values and Corps Values: Transforming Character Development Training at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

William T. Glick, Mary Ellen Graf, Alexander Coburn — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy initiated a redesign of accession-level character education following senior leadership direction associated with Operation Fouled Anchor and the Accountability and Transparency Review. This article describes The Shield, a revised Core Values education program implemented during Swab Summer. Drawing on adult learning and social learning principles, the program shifts from a primarily lecture-based model to one centered on peer facilitation, guided reflection, and case-based discussion. Junior cadets are prepared and supported to lead small-group sessions with incoming freshmen (swabs), using recent administrative hearing cases to explore the Honor Concept and expectations for conduct. This article presents The Shield as a practice-oriented institutional case study, detailing the program’s rationale, structure, and delivery, with the aim of informing character and Core Values education efforts at service academies and related institutions.

Editor's Note

Eschelle L. English — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Get Back Up: Lessons in Servant Leadership - Introduction and Chapter 1

Jennifer Crawford, Dave Goldfein, Heather Wilson — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Get Back Up: Introduction and Chapter 1