A Case for Intentional Teamwork Development at USAFA: The T3C Model

Teamwork is a crucial element in effective military leadership and mission execution and, hence, is a necessary component in officer development at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). DoD, USAF, and USAFA doctrine and guidance have numerous references spotlighting the necessity of effective teamwork across the military enterprise. Specifically, the USAFA Leadership, Teamwork and Organizational Management Institutional Outcome requires cadet proficiency in the foundational principles of teamwork. To define foundational teamwork principles, the members of the USAFA Athletic Department developed the T3C Teamwork Model and incorporated it into the execution of physical education team sport elective courses. This model offers one option to advance teamwork principles and development in future military officers as well as other populations.