Army Leadership Requirements Model
Learn the attributes of Character, Presence, and Intellect and the competencies of Leads, Develops, and Achieves—and how they work together.
In this guide
The Model
The Army Leadership Requirements Model describes what leaders should be and do. Attributes—Character, Presence, and Intellect—shape how a leader approaches situations. Competencies—Leads, Develops, and Achieves—describe major categories of leader action.
Character
Character includes Army Values, empathy, discipline, humility, and the ethical foundation behind decisions. Character is revealed when standards are inconvenient, when nobody is watching, and when the leader has the power to choose an easier path.
Presence
Presence is more than appearance. It includes military and professional bearing, fitness, confidence, and resilience. Presence affects whether others believe the leader is prepared, composed, and capable of carrying responsibility under pressure.
Intellect
Intellect includes mental agility, sound judgment, innovation, interpersonal tact, and expertise. Leaders gather facts, identify assumptions, consider consequences, learn from experience, and adjust when the situation changes.
Leads
The Leads competency includes leading others, building trust, extending influence beyond the immediate chain, leading by example, and communicating. A leader creates shared understanding and helps people act together toward the mission.
Develops
Develops includes creating a positive environment, preparing self, developing others, and stewarding the profession. Development is continuous: training, feedback, counseling, coaching, mentoring, challenging assignments, and deliberate reflection all contribute.
Achieves
Achieves is about getting results while using people and resources responsibly. Results matter, but how the leader obtains them matters too. Short-term success that destroys trust, ignores standards, or burns out the team can damage future performance.
Turn the model into an observable development goal
Use the model to describe behavior you can observe. Broad labels such as “weak leader” do not tell a person what to practice. Separate what happened, its impact, and the specific behavior that would improve the next attempt.
Worked example
A team leader knows the equipment and finishes assigned work, but gives corrections in front of the whole team using sarcasm. Instead of treating fast completion as the entire measure of success, examine how communication affects trust and learning. A practice goal could be: “During the next two rehearsals, give corrections using the observed action, the required standard, and the next attempt. Discuss individual issues privately when appropriate.” Afterward, ask the leader and team what changed.
Your practice checklist
Choose a routine, non-sensitive example. Work through each step on paper or use these checkboxes as you read. Checks reset when you reload the page.
Common mistake to avoid
Avoid turning the model into a personality scorecard. “Show more presence” is less helpful than a concrete rehearsal goal such as explaining the plan clearly and answering questions without interrupting. Also avoid rewarding results that depend on intimidation or ignored standards. The method used to obtain the result belongs in the development discussion.
Explain it in your own words
Answer each question before revealing the explanation.
Are attributes and competencies interchangeable?
No. Attributes describe qualities a leader brings to a situation; competencies describe broad actions leaders perform. They work together.
Is one example enough for a complete assessment?
No. One observation can start a conversation, but a balanced assessment needs relevant evidence across situations and time.
Sources & further reading
These are MILCOMPASS explanations and practice examples. The underlying doctrine is ADP 6-22 — Army Leadership and the Profession. Follow current official publications and applicable command guidance for real requirements.
- Army Sustainment Resource Portal: ADP 6-22 and leader development
- Army Publishing Directorate: check the current publication
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