Building Coaching Culture in Military Training Environments

Military training has traditionally relied on direct, authoritative instruction methods. But what happens when you introduce civilian coaching and mentoring techniques into this rigid environment? Neil Horner's groundbreaking action research project explores this exact transformation at the Army Foundation College.

Horner recognized a critical gap in military training approaches. While the Army had introduced Values Based Leadership (VBL) and The Army Leadership Code, these initiatives weren't fully addressing the needs of a new generation of recruits—young people who had developed through technology-based rather than practical schooling environments.

This comprehensive six-month study tracked 120 students through three distinct training phases, examining whether coaching and mentoring culture could enhance learning experiences for both military instructors and students. The research methodology combined quantitative data from internal validation processes with qualitative insights from instructor interviews and student feedback sessions.

The findings reveal compelling evidence that coaching approaches significantly improve training outcomes. When students were surveyed about their learning experience, 30 out of 40 strongly agreed that the course met their expectations and was enjoyable—a remarkable improvement considering historically high dropout rates in military training programs.

Perhaps most significantly, students demonstrated clear recognition of effective coaching behaviors. They identified key indicators including appropriate role modeling, inspirational motivation, and individual consideration from instructors. Students particularly valued the "hands-on" approach, stating this method helped them absorb information more effectively than traditional lecture-based instruction.

The research also uncovered important insights about balancing theoretical and practical content. Students struggled less with making mistakes when instructors adopted a mentoring approach, creating an environment where learning from errors became acceptable rather than fear-inducing.

Horner's work demonstrates how military training can evolve without compromising its core objectives. By incorporating coaching techniques while maintaining the robust mindset required for military service, instructors created a "do as I do, not as I say" culture that resonated strongly with young recruits.

The study's implications extend beyond military contexts. Educational institutions, corporate training programs, and leadership development initiatives can learn from this evidence-based approach to integrating coaching methodologies into traditional instructional frameworks.

While acknowledging limitations—including the need for longer-term studies to fully assess dropout rate improvements—this research provides a solid foundation for transforming military training culture. It shows that modern educational approaches can enhance rather than weaken military effectiveness, creating better-prepared soldiers through improved learning experiences.