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Benjamin Tallmadge Leadership Case Study To become an effective, competent, knowledgeable leader one must possess the ability to analyze and extract relevant data from past experiences. Studying p... ast leaders to identify their accomplishments and shortfalls provide an established framework for leaders to build upon throughout their career. Military doctrine evolves each day, yet our nation’s most brilliant and influential historical leaders’ actions align with modern-day doctrine. Commanders today consistently attribute their success from leaders of the past providing a chain that links Commanders throughout history. Observing the case study of Army Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge, the architect of America's first spy ring, evidence of current mission command philosophy and challenging modern-day ethical decisions present themselves. Benjamin Tallmadge and the Culper Spy Ring Summary To begin, the case study of Major Benjamin Tallmadge (later Colonel) and the Culper Spy Ring spanned throughout the Revolutionary war. In 1776, a British Commander ordered Nathan Hale's hanging for spying without trial providing an example of the fate that lie ahead for those identified as spies (Cray, 1999). General George Washington possessed a significant need to charge someone with the duties of gathering critical intelligence on Continental Army adversaries. Washington ultimately elected Major Benjamin Tallmadge as Intelligence chief for the Continental Army. Major Tallmadge served as Intelligence chief from 1778 to 1783 without losing a single agent (DeFord, 2019). Throughout that time, he organized the most affective intelligence-gathering network known as the Culper Spy Ring. Tallmadge enlisted the help of Abraham Woodhull (code name: Culper, Sr.), Robert Townsend (code name: Culper, Jr), Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, and Anna Strong. The primary function of the network consisted of Culper, Jr gathering intelligence then passing it to Culper, Sr, who added his findings to the 3 reports. Anna Strong proceeded to signal Caleb Brewster, who transported the intelligence to Major Tallmadge who sent the reports via riders to deliver the information to General Washington (DeFord, 2019). Washington Elects Tallmadge Benjamin Tallmadge commissioned as a lieutenant on the 20th of June 1776 at the request of Capt. John Chester of Wethersfield (DeFord, 2019). The Commander of the Continental Army General Washington offered Major Tallmadge the position of Major in April of 1777, less than a year after joining the cause (DeFord, 2019). Initially, Major John Clark gathered intelligence while Tallmadge clerked for him until Clark retired. Upon Major Clark's retirement, General Washington called on Major Tallmadge to become the intelligence chief for the Continental Army in 1778 and a key officer to Washington's inner circle (Leavenworth & Courant, 2004; DeFord, 2019). Spy Rings Contributions: The spy ring uncovered information such as the British planning an attack which targeted the Continentals French allies upon their arrival from across the Atlantic (DeFord, 2019). The raid headed by Major General William Tryon, intended to induce General Washington to separate his Troops so Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton could attack. Additionally, the spy ring uncovered information regarding a British plan to counterfeit Continental currency, which afforded Congress the time necessary to retire the bills. However, the most substantial intelligence the spy ring uncovered revealed American Major General Benedict Arnold’s plot to turn over American Fort West Point, New York to the British (Moore, 2014; Trees, 2000). The information the Culper spy ring uncovered proved detrimental to the advancement of the British cause and saved countless Continental and allied Soldier lives. 4 Deviating from Mission Command Principle: Although, Major Benjamin Tallmadge consistently provided information and produced effective results for his superiors, situations occurred that required him to challenge orders from a superior. Upon the capture of British Major John Andre going by the alias John Anderson, Lt. Col. John Jameson instructed his subordinates to take him to West Point. This presented a significant problem as the West Point Commander Major General Benedict Arnold colluded with Major Andre to turn over West Point to the British. Rather than accepting the order to turn the prisoner over to West Point, Major Tallmadge urged Lt. Col. John Jameson to bring the prisoner to their Headquarters (Moore, 2014). Ultimately, Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge’s persistence in changing Lt. Col. John Jameson’s decision led to the capture of the British officer who they later hanged for spying, and the revelation of Major General Benedict Arnold’s treachery. In summary, General Washington needed a competent intelligence-gathering network. Major Tallmadge developed Americas first effective spy ring, which produced vital intelligence to the Continental Commander which altered the outcome of the Revolutionary War. The spy ring operated effectively over a five-year period consistently providing tangible and actionable intelligence. Major Tallmadge selected people that proved trustworthy, which protected the identities and lives of his agents. Mission Command Displayed: A commander establishes competent leaders by consistently assessing their subordinates. Commanders observe high levels of competence in their subordinates when their subordinates display the ability to execute the mission (ADP 6-0, 2019). General Washington displays this by entrusting Major Tallmadge with the responsibility of gathering intelligence for the Continental Army. Furthermore, relying on Major Tallmadge’s 5 method of intelligence gathering for five years indicates General Washington observed a high level of competence in Major Tallmadge. Moreover, shared confidence among Commanders, subordinates, and partners indicates their reliability coupled with their ability to accomplish assigned tasks and garners mutual trust (ADP 6-0, 2019). This strengthens overtime as the individuals involved establish shared experiences. Developing this trust aids in an accelerated decision-making process. Major Tallmadge established this mutual trust with his superior indicated by his rapid ascension in the ranks to positions of increased responsibility ultimately landing the position of intelligence chief. Similarly, those complicit in gathering the intelligence Major Tallmadge received faced certain death upon exposure, which demonstrates trust is necessary with all parties involved. Comparatively, when everyone associated with the plan understands the intent and the desired end state all parties involved possess a shared understanding (ADP 6-0, 2019). Commanders help facilitate this through planning, preparation, execution, and assessment. Major Tallmadge demonstrates careful planning and preparation in the development and ongoing operations within the network. Communications within the network consisted of letters and codes which only members of the spy ring understood, which indicates the careful planning and coordination within the network. Furthermore, this illustrates the extreme caution the network exercised to maintain the integrity of the information gathered from outside influencers. Minimal contact between each member of the network existed, yet the network consistently produced valuable actionable intelligence. Through the extensive coordination and synchronization of the spy ring, a shared understanding displays itself. Similarly, Commanders indicate their intent by giving clear and concise guidance on the purpose of the operations they will execute. This gives subordinates an understanding of thei [Show More]

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