Analysis of organizational culture in the US Army using OCP typology

Army, by definition is a part of the U.S. military which is made up of three branches. The other two components are the Air Force and Navy. All report directly to the Department of Defense or (DoD). The DoD is organized into two branches, the first is active duty and the second called the reserve. For the Army the DoD reserve 'departments' that provide support are the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard (Army.mil, 2012).

In comparison to a business entity, there are several components or departments that make up the operations and administration function of the army. The mission of the Army is broken down into operational and institutional departments (Army.mil, 2012).

Each of these components have a specific purpose that supports the others much like a business entity has several departments that support the product or service offered by the company.

The operational component is further broken down into the various armies that are numbered based on location. There are several levels of rank based on the number of recruits serving under the command level. The lowest level is a squad followed by a platoon, company, battalion, brigade, division, corps and finally field army (See Chart A (Army.mil, 2012)).

Chart A: Command level and corresponding rank and number of soldiers ( Army.mil, 2012).

The institutional Army is the component that is necessary to support the operational army. Much like administration within a business entity supports operations consisting of the Human Resource Department, Finance or Accounting, Purchasing, provide services for the internal needs of the business. The Institutional Army does the recruiting, training, provides needed supplies and equipment, and arranges deployment (Army.mil, 2012). The job of the Institutional Army is to ensure the Operational Army is ready when called upon. The same is true within a business, the administrators have the job of providing all of the required resources for the business to remain operational on a daily basis.

Both of these components Operations and Institutional Army or in a business Administration and Operations depend on the other to function. In the case of the Institutional Army or Administration the sole purpose is to support Operations.

The culture in the Army is based on supporting one another. The Army is one unit and operates as one, there are no individuals but a team that works together to achieve goals and objectives. It is a bureaucracy where there are many rules and levels of management. Each job description is well defined and the process to complete each task documented.

In order to complete any task, permission is needed from a person in command. The way to move up in rank is to be a top performer and team player.

Organizational Culture Profile (e-Library.com, 2012).

OCP Profile: Figure 1.

Based on the OCP the Army has a Stable profile. The stable profile is based on orders or rules that are expected to be followed. The ramifications of obeying or disobeying orders is predefined based on preset conditions, policies, and guidelines. Therefore consequences are micro-managed making the culture one that is bureaucratic and highly predictable. The productivity level therefore is predictable and the result is a consistent level of output. The culture is slow to change as this requires multiple levels of input from managers or officers with the authority to approve changes. The Army clearly fits this profile as change requires a decision made from a centralized source of authority (OCP e-Library.com, 2012).

Policy for Hiring

In order to join the Army, there is a recruitment process. It requires you to learn as much as you can about this branch and what if offers and demands of recruits. The qualifications to be considered are (Military.com, 2012):

Recruit is a U.S. citizen or a legal resident alien.

Age range is 17 up to 34 years old. Those 17 must have parental consent.

Completion of High School with a diploma.

A recruit can have two or less dependents.

Complete the ASVAB or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or test.

Take a military medical exam and pass the physical.

Layoff

Leaving the Army is not a simple task unless you are retired or an officer

The steps necessary require contacting your superior.

It is rare that you would be laid off from service except in the case of Convenience of the Government (Military.com, 2012). This is an instance where the Army wants a person out of the service but has not other means of gaining an approval.

The example given was if a soldier won the lottery (Powers, 2012). In this instance it may be possible to get laid off. Since the soldier is no longer suited for service due to their elevated income status. Being wealthier than even the General for instance.

Dress Code

Men are to have neatly trimmed hair cuts. No facial hair. Neatly trimmed nails. No makeup or cosmetics unless in the case of an injury.

Women are to have hair styles that are conservative and have no free falling hair. Neatly trimmed nails. Conservative makeup is allowed.

All personnel must dress neatly according to uniform standards.

All uniform coats are blue to represent U.S. Heritage (Powers, 2012).

Performance Evaluation

A performance evaluation is conducted by a superior officer using the Performance Management System which combines all aspects relating to judging contribution of a soldier. This includes performance criteria, payrate, and awards based on contribution on both an individual and organizational level (Department of Army, 1998).