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Essay On Military Leadership

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My goal in this letter is to impart my leadership philosophy to you. I hope it will

inspire action and provoke thought, regardless of your rank or position. Most of what I

address is based on what I’ve seen and experienced.

To the young enlisted Soldiers: you earn every bit of your respect in this

organization. Never ask the question “when can I get promoted?” Instead ask yourself

“what can I do to get myself promoted?” Take every learning opportunity that is afforded

to you. Find every reason to develop yourself into a non-commissioned officer and

leader, not a sergeant. There is a difference. Show me that you’re willing and I will do

everything in my power to lead you. If I fail you, tell me. If I don’t inform you, ask.

To the non-commissioned officer …show more content…

Don’t be lazy and don’t be

afraid of not knowing something in front of your troops. “Barracks law” is not actual

regulation. Check the facts for yourself and stop depending on word-of-mouth. Weigh

the regulations against Soldier welfare, accomplishment of the mission and common

sense. Don’t be afraid to take some heat rounds, but be prepared for them.

To the sergeants major and command sergeants major who have built their

careers on uniform violations and grass-walking: with all due respect, this organization

has passed you by and it may be time for you to retire. That’s not to say that AR 670-1

is unimportant. However, how can you focus on the minutiae of these when your

readiness numbers hover dangerously close to the red? Stay fixated on the important

issues and we’ll work tirelessly for you.

To the ranks of junior commissioned officers: the commission is not a brass ticket

to the benefits that are earned in our Army. Your NCO corps is well-experienced. Trust

them. We don’t expect you to know everything. For that matter, we expect you to know

very little. I was once asked in a board to rank the Oregon Army National Guard’s

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