Lt Gen Lewis B. Puller

Lt. Audie L. Murphy’s name stands as one of the most prominent in American military history. He was a figurehead of leadership and the epitome of the seven Army Values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage). He was a model for every soldier to follow, one that overcame every odd that was ever against him and rose to conquer every challenge. In his personal memoir “To Hell and Back”, he expressed a very personal view of what it takes to embody these characteristics which would eventually encourage anyone who reads it. In the next few paragraphs I will expound on his leadership and analyze what it really takes

The movie “Twelve O’ Clock High” is a case study in the application of leadership theory during World War Two. Gregory Peck portrays Brigadier General Savage, a United States Army Air Force officer thrust into a situation that requires a maximum effort both on the ground and in the air as he attempts to re-invigorate an undisciplined, anxiety ridden, and ineffective combat unit. Throughout the movie we observe Peck’s character employing a variety of leadership methods, but ultimately discovering that true combat effectiveness and cohesion is accomplished through a

Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer is a very influential novel in the military. In fact, it is required reading material for all 1st Lieutenants in the Marine Corps as well as in the United States Military Academy at West Point. Many Army leaders have read the book and often discuss it among themselves in social situations. Although a fiction read, many leaders extrapolate the use of mission command as well as the leaderships attributes. In this analysis I will be comparing a single event in the novel to the Army’s leadership principles as well as Mission Command. I will then provide a personal reflection and conclude.

The book Black Hearts opened my eyes to how leadership from a single Officer can have a grappling effect on such a wide range of soldiers from the lowest of ranks. One of the best takeaways from Black Hearts is to never do anything: illegal, unethical, or immoral. Although this is a easy statement to repeat, Black Hearts demonstrates the difficulties that lie behind these words. It has also painted a picture of how leadership can topple extremely quickly from a top down view. The Army is portrayed in a bad light throughout the book relentlessly. This is due to the concentration of poor leadership of the 1-502nd Regiment (Referred to as “First Strike”), a battalion of the 101st Airborne Division.

Leadership development in the military is critical to its mission and objectives. Understanding and embracing leadership will foster an agile culture and facilitate attainment of strategic goals. People desire quality leadership to assist with achieving their goals, albeit personal or professional development. Having a clear vision and the motivation to perform at high-levels influences others to work synergistically together to achieve organizational goals. Insomuch, employees value being treated respectfully, fairly, and ethically. Leaders serve people best when they help them develop their own initiative and good judgment, enable them to grow, and help them become better contributors.

Throughout military history, there have been many leaders that can be considered either visionary or ethical. This paper will discuss how BG Robin Olds was a visionary leader, but not a very ethical leader. From the beginning of his career, he was a visionary in aerial combat tactics and a true believer of leading from the front. His vision of aerial combat was beyond his years, but often fell upon deaf ears due to his flamboyant nature. He never hesitated to say exactly what was on his mind, which is why his actions could be considered unethical. But, his men loved him, and would follow him to hell and back. First, this paper will discuss BG Olds’ visionary leadership abilities he displayed the Viet Nam

As a professional leader, role models are an important source of inspiration and development. The ability to deliberately aim to improve as a leader is equally important. In the Army, the Leadership Requirements Model found in doctrine provides the framework necessary to make those deliberate improvements. This framework presents the opportunity to analyze our leadership role models using the Leadership Requirements Model and assess how that leader has contributed to the Army or the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps. Additionally, it is important to apply the same analysis to how that role model has influenced our own leadership. Lastly, with these considerations in mind, leaders can project into the future and determine what kind of legacy they wish to leave. The purpose of this analysis is to explore these opportunities and the relationships between doctrinal leadership, a legacy leader, and my own leadership and legacy. My father, retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Nelson Stydinger, had a significant influence on the profession during his own service. He also represents my most important leadership influence throughout my career and his record informs the type of legacy I would like to leave as an Army leader.

Black Hearts is a great example of the reality on how severe bad leadership skills can ripple throughout a unit and impact its overall mission. This book serves as a guide for future leaders of America and will set the examples of what not to do in leadership positions. The lessons we can take from these soldiers can help us as potential leaders to become more competent and effective. The fact that this book focused on the hardships, poor decisions and sound judgment of the soldiers it helped emphasize on what was not the best choice of action and leaves a moment for you as the audience to think how you would of done it better. So right or wrong there was a lesson to be learned and the book did a good job including the reader. This book

While growing up Puller idolized Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and Robert E. Lee who were both Civil War heroes. Puller was sure he wanted to join the military ever since he was young, he wanted to join the Marines but his mom kept him from going too young. His mother and father were Chesty’s main threshold guardians. They both pushed him to go the military at the right time. After, Chesty graduated from officer training school he finally got sent out to Haiti to train the newly formed Gendarmerie d'Haiti. This was his first time in combat but he still had exceptional leadership skills to lead his men through more than 40 engagements with the enemy rebels. He then was sent to the Nicaraguan National Guard detachment, here he earned his first navy cross. He acquired this by successfully conquering his first major task, lead against five successive engagements against superior numbers of armed bandit forces. Chesty could not do all these amazing actions on his own. The men he lead could also be considered as his threshold guardians. Chesty Puller lead the : Horse Marines, first battalion, seventh Marine regiment, and the first marine regiment. Chesty and his all his men made it through many battles that looked like a lost a cause. Chesty has no specific/clear threshold because when one is the military he/she never knows what may happen, even bootcamp in unpredictable. Chesty’s childhood could be considered as his threshold because he had his family to fall back on but he still wanted to join the

Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is a name that every marine knows for his heroic actions and his legacy left upon the Corps. This man was and is still the most decorated Marine and is by far the greatest Marine to ever live, leading through countless engagements from the beaches of Peleliu Island to the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He also brought an indistinguishable honor upon the United States by showing the world what a fierce force the USMC (United States Marine Corps) can be through his numerous years fighting and bleeding for our great country.

In addition to the other physical objects, First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried compasses and maps, but also the heavy responsibility for the men he oversees. Lieutenant Cross’s main role as a leader should be that of a strong leader who gives his soldiers clear instructions for an advantage over the enemy, but Lieutenant Cross fails to demonstrate the clear ability required to fulfill that role.

Chesty Puller was one of the best Marines in history because of his will power. He fought hard for our country and while doing this he helped us greatly in many wars. Every time he went out to serve our country he was at a risk of death. He risked his life so our lives could be better. Chesty Puller contributed to history by saving many people when serving our country and ended up as the most decorated Marine in history.

Beginning in boot camp and continuing throughout my career, I’ve seen the Coast Guard promote the leadership model to be: “You” influencing “Others” to achieve a “Goal”. With all the different ways leadership can be defined, this simplistic model which has been permanently engrained in my thinking definition still rings true for me. As such, when defining my own personal definition of leadership, I align it to this same model. More specifically, while I support the fact that leadership involves influencing others to achieve a common end I propose that is not the whole story. Leaders must not be stagnant in their vision and must lend themselves to the possibility they may have to adjust their leadership styles depending on the goal. The best leaders are the ones that understand their own personality traits as well as those traits of the people they are trying to lead.

When we were younger we were always told by our parents to behave and follow the rules in school and to be nice to the other children. At school they had a set of rules that we were meant to follow and abide by them. Here in the Marine Corps is no different there are many rules and regulations that are meant to be followed under the UCMJ Articles. It’s important to keep following the orders you are given and that you follow these rules exactly like you are ordered to do so. In this essay I will be talking about the following: Disobeying an Order, Disrespect, Discipline, Chain of Command, Unauthorized Absence, and Leadership Principles and Leadership Traits. I will try my best’s efforts to explain everything and show what I have learned in

Rarely are we able to have face to face contact with great leaders let alone have enough time to hear their stories on the battlefield and what secrets lead them to success. A young future military officer may not have the opportunity to meet such great leaders or have the time to interview them but what they do have is time to read. Pete Blaber’s “The Mission, The Men, and Me” exposes his on the ground account of the operations he has commanded and further explains the many guiding principles that lead him to much success in all his endeavors, personal and military. Future officers