SMA.NET The Strengthen Vector of Learning

Mā te kimi ka kite. Mā te kite ka mōhio. Mā te mōhio ka mārama. Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened.

In April’s Army News, the SMA introduced his NCO effort vectors of shape, shift, sharpen, sustain, strengthen, and harden. Each vector addresses a competency in influencing a culture of personal and professional mastery. In the March edition, WO1 Ray Kareko spoke to the sharpen and harden vectors relating to the fundamentals and ‘lead self’ issues of individual readiness for the profession of arms. Strengthen is the vector I will address from the perspective of learning.

The time-worn cliché goes, “Learning is the journey, not the destination,” meaning learning is a constant and deliberate effort for continual improvement. The professional realises there is no end to learning and is dedicated to being better, strengthening themselves through the acquisition of knowledge. Learning involves many facets of seeking knowledge – not just formal education or instruction but also observation, experience, practice, mentoring, collaboration, feedback, reflection, and successes – even failure. How, when and why you learn from these opportunities is a choice. It is essential for all members of the profession of arms to improve their skills, build on their abilities, be able to adapt, thrive, and be comfortable in changing and challenging environments; to enhance their own performance, and be more equipped to fulfil their own responsibilities and duties, therefore being a better team member. Interestingly, personal self-development should be considered a facet of Tū Tira. We know the nature of conflict will not change (political, the human effect, unpredictable, a contest of wills), but the character of conflict will evolve as weaponry, technology, tactics, and people evolve. The ability to stay relevant is not always tied to the possession of the latest technology, nor numerical mass.

Maintaining a cognitive overmatch and reacting to evolving situations quicker than an adversary has often been the decider on operations. This is developed through a constant dedication to learning, improving. This constant dedication to learning is the strengthening vector leading to mastery.

The antithesis of learning, however, is ignorance, lack of knowledge, poor understanding, or even stagnation. The cost of this to the military is significant and potentially disastrous.

Commanders and leaders, at every level, without a tacit understanding of tactics, the situation, their duties, tasks, and abilities, or their personnel, may make ineffective or compromising decisions leading to losses of personnel, equipment, ground, or even defeat.

We, in the profession of arms, therefore, have a responsibility to continually seek knowledge, to be well-informed, and to gain a competitive cognitive edge; to strengthen the skill and ability we have already worked hard to develop. Success on operations demands it. Take the leap, who knows, you may also realise untapped potential as an individual and contribute even more positively to the organisation and society.