Soldiers in today's Army are geographically dispersed as a result of operational requirements preventing the traditional means of professional development from occurring. The study of historical vignettes, professional reading programs, staff rides, and mentoring have been the mainstay of a system that has produced the military leaders who have been tremendously successful for the nation. As executed in the past, these approaches are no longer practical. Soldiers are connected virtually in more ways today than ever before. The speed in which experiences and knowledge can be transferred among mentors, protégés, and peers has accelerated tremendously. This study explores how the Army has transformed its approach to professional development using Communities of Practice.

The Army's Professional Forums, operated by the Center for Army Lessons Learned, are a constellation of integrated communities of practice, the centerpiece of which is the Leadership and Leader Development Knowledge Network. These forums leverage their unique ability to bridge geographic distances to enhance traditional mentor — protégé relationships. Face to face relationships are now replaced with virtual ones; soldiers in the U.S. are now seeking the guidance of mentors in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thus mentors have evolved to become those individuals willing to transfer knowledge and share their experiences, regardless of age, rank, or position. Professional forums also enable members, regardless of their location, not only to engage in the time honored tradition of professional reading, but to participate in facilitated asynchronous discussions on reading topics with peers and mentors across the Army. Professional forums also provide a platform to engage in situational training and development exercises that provide opportunities for dialogue on complex ethical issues and leadership dilemmas. In this paper, we will describe how Communities of Practice enhance professional development, enable learning, and accelerate the knowledge transfer process.