The U.S. Army has launched an investigation into the culture and climate at its School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), one of four advanced schools of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Army Times reported.
The investigation, which was ordered by Army University provost Maj. Gen. Donn Hill in June, came after an internal survey and an Army University survey that criticized school director Col. Brian Payne, who took charge July 2019.
Payne has faced criticism regarding his leadership and a tumultuous rollout of a SAMS curriculum during the pandemic, said an anonymous SAMS employee.
“The investigation was initiated to assess the health of the culture and climate in SAMS from Jan. 1, 2020 to now, that includes highlighting strengths and weaknesses and determining if personnel treat one another and students with dignity and respect,” said Maj. Ashley Bain, a spokesperson for Army University. “There are no named respondents [in the investigation].”
