The Senior Leader Course (SLC) reinforced in me the true meaning General Al Gray’s Grayism, “Don’t be afraid to learn from others” (Otte, 2015). The greatest learning opportunity in SLC came from my fellow classmates and their fearlessness in sharing their personal and professional experiences. If I could transport this class back in time one year and know what I know now, I would have been better able to assist one of my Soldiers whose service was reviewed under the Army’s Qualitative Management Program (QMP). Many of my classmates impressed me with their experience, both their technical skills while deployed and their compassion for Soldiers while fulfilling their duties as senior non-commissioned officers (NCO). I learned the most from
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Suddenly, I hoped my leaders were better advocates for my career than I was for SSG G. My SLC classmate SFC Downs showed me that we all come from incredibly diverse and dynamic backgrounds and that we should never make assumptions about the people. This is especially true about the Soldiers we have the privilege to lead. If I met SFC Downs a year ago, and was honored to hear his personal and professional achievements, I would have been in a better position to understand SSG G’s reluctance to talk with his leadership. Both SFC Downs and SSG G are remarkably humble when describing their own conduct in the face of adversity. It was my inability to see humility in SSG G that prevented me from asking the right questions in order to provide him the leadership he needed. If I had the honor of attending SLC with my current classmates a year ago I would have been better equipped to provide the leadership and guidance one of my Soldiers needed. My own views and leadership style became warped by my time at JBLM and I was not prepared to challenge my own assumptions concerning the QMP process. After being assigned to Fort Huachuca, and attending SLC with SFC Downs I realized the disservice I provided my Soldier. SFC Downs’ honesty, integrity and humility recharged my sense of purpose and responsibility.
END OF COURSE REFLECTION PAPER 4
SFC Downs reminded me the responsibility I have to my Soldiers is not just to guide them with my point of view and experience, but to use each of theirs as
Suddenly, I hoped my leaders were better advocates for my career than I was for SSG G. My SLC classmate SFC Downs showed me that we all come from incredibly diverse and dynamic backgrounds and that we should never make assumptions about the people. This is especially true about the Soldiers we have the privilege to lead. If I met SFC Downs a year ago, and was honored to hear his personal and professional achievements, I would have been in a better position to understand SSG G’s reluctance to talk with his leadership. Both SFC Downs and SSG G are remarkably humble when describing their own conduct in the face of adversity. It was my inability to see humility in SSG G that prevented me from asking the right questions in order to provide him the leadership he needed. If I had the honor of attending SLC with my current classmates a year ago I would have been better equipped to provide the leadership and guidance one of my Soldiers needed. My own views and leadership style became warped by my time at JBLM and I was not prepared to challenge my own assumptions concerning the QMP process. After being assigned to Fort Huachuca, and attending SLC with SFC Downs I realized the disservice I provided my Soldier. SFC Downs’ honesty, integrity and humility recharged my sense of purpose and responsibility.
END OF COURSE REFLECTION PAPER 4
SFC Downs reminded me the responsibility I have to my Soldiers is not just to guide them with my point of view and experience, but to use each of theirs as