Military Review English Edition January-February 2017 | Page 124

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Response to
Col. Kevin
McAninch’s
“How the Army’s
Multi-Source
Assessment and
Feedback Program Could Become a
Catalyst for Leader Development
(Military Review, September-October 2016)

Dr. Jon Fallesen

I

n the September-October 2016 issue of Military
Review, Col. Kevin McAninch’s article on multisource assessment and feedback (MSAF) claimed
that the Army is not getting as much value from the
MSAF program as it could if the program were implemented differently.1 While I agree that MSAF can
realize greater value, there are several aspects of the
program that should be clarified.
The program grew into a requirement from the
idea of providing Army leaders with development that
was uniquely individualized. MSAF was implemented through the initiative process of the Army Leader
Development Program from recommendations in the
Army Training and Leader Development Panel study.2
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After successful pilots with fourteen units ranging from
battalion to corps, the program was directed by the
Army and codified in regulations.3 The 2014 National
Defense Authorization Act directed that the secretary
of defense use MSAF as the exemplar 360 program and
assess expanded implementation across the services.4
The report stemming from the task was prepared by the
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel
and Readiness and advised all services to use 360-degree
assessments for development purposes.5
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley comments,
“The Commander 360 program ensures leaders receive
honest and candid feedback on their performance
and leadership effectiveness. Armed with this critical
January-February 2017  MILITARY REVIEW