Company Sergeant Major

Direct Leadership Versus Organizational Leadership The United States Army defines leadership as "the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization" (Department of the Army, p. 1). While all levels of Army leadership are interconnected there are various levels of leadership recognized within the Army. The three tiers of leadership are direct, organizational, and strategic. In this paper, I will describe…

The U.S. Army had been under a magnifying glass since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result, the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff gave directives that the Commanding General of the Training and Doctrine Command lead a review of the Army as a profession from changes that had taken place since the beginning of the wars. The Army as a Profession of Arms is still not defined concretely. My perception of the Army as a Profession of Arms is that we are citizens,…

SFC Juan Fontanez’s legacy was the impact he left on his Soldiers. He has been one of the most influential leaders in my military career. SFC Fontanez was my Platoon Sergeant during my third deployment to Iraq. During this deployment, I filled the role of Squad Leader in a Combat Engineer Platoon, performing route clearance operations in and out of Sadr City. SFC Fontanez taught me the importance of leading from the front, setting the example, and establishing a high level of trust within your…

This makes it very difficult for veterans when they come back home and attempt to return back to “living normal.” As Sergeant John Wesley Matthews state, “[t]hey just expect you to turn it off.” When experiencing so much blood shed and even contributing it, some veterans can be driven off the edge because they are unsure of what to do or who to turn to. Sergeant Matthews claims to having thought about suicide before and claiming, “[i]t will tear your life apart. And many a soldier has met…

1. In accordance with Army Regulation 600-37, I respectfully request consideration be given to my statement below and that the Administrative Reprimand be filed at the local level and not in my Official Military Personnel File. 2. On 20 February 2016, at or around 2300 I drove to downtown Savannah, GA and walked to a bar. My initial plan was to call a taxi, or a friend when I left. I consumed several mixed drinks containing liquor. The bar closed around 0230, at which point I left and called 3…

in full tactical retreat, heading south towards Washington D.C., they hoped to hook up with any leading elements of the 3rd Infantry Regiment. Assuming of course they knew Colonel Magnus and his hoard was heading their way. They were being led by Major General Walter Boney, he was a combat veteran of Iraq, leading the Division while in Ramadi. He had also commanded various Brigades and other units all over Europe finally landing the job with the Pennsylvania Nation Guard. He was tough…

Staff Sergeant Soto enlisted in the Marine Corps in March, 2000 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA in March of 2000 as Private Soto. Private First Class (PFC) Soto attended the School of Infantry and Basic Machinegunnery at San Onfre, Camp Pendleton CA from June to August 2000. Upon Graduation PFC Soto reported to 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1), Weapons Company (Wpns Co), Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT) Platoon (Plt) August 2000. PFC Soto was…

Being an AFJROTC cadet leader is challenging. As Wing Commander of our 250 member Cadet Wing, I had to address an ethical dilemma; leaders dating subordinates; that almost destroyed our drill team. In the US Military, unprofessional relationships are frowned upon as they adversely affect the chain of command due to favoritism. In our unit, unprofessional relationships are discouraged for the same reason. When cadets perceive a promotion given to someone based, not on merit, but on their…

Officer” meant nothing but paper and desk work. Later to find out that the words “Army Officer” has a much deeper passionate meaning than I thought. Over the years of training and talking to different Generals, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, and Sergeants about becoming a Second Lieutenant, they all had the same thing in common with advice on becoming a Lieutenant. That advice was to take time and get to know…

The combat and garrison environments are each unique in their own aspects. The combat environment depends on the garrison for many things. ‘We train as we fight’ is one of the more specific examples. Leadership in these environments is no different. Although dependent on the garrison environment the combat environment is much more complex. The leadership that is honed while in garrison helps prepare Leaders for combat. There is less control over Soldiers in a garrison environment than in a…