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Leavenworth launches online counseling course

The Center of Army Leadership at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., launched an online course Monday for Army leaders who conduct developmental counseling.

The course consists of three modules, totaling about 11 hours of instruction. Courseware topics include different types of counseling, leaders as counselors and the counseling process.

The new course can be accessed at http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/digitalpublications.asp.

In Army-speak, “developmental counseling” is a structured communication method for accomplishing organizational objectives and individual goals.

Described as “one of the most important leadership development responsibilities” in the newly updated Field Manual 6-22 (Army Leadership), developmental counseling applies to officers and enlisted soldiers.

“There are two important reasons to improve counseling skills,” said Sgt. Maj. Joel Jacobs of the Center of Army Leadership. “Counseling is one of the most important ways to develop subordinates. The second reason is that counseling helps the leader and soldier to come to a common understanding about the mission and how it needs to be accomplished.”