Drop a name - who is the best Leader/Manager/Comander you ever worked for?

Capt Frank Lugo

COL Richard T. Ellis, Commander 650th MI Group, SHAPE Belgium. He was my first boss when, as a Civilian, I started working for the 650th. He was one who took me from Logistics to allow me to start the Security Management office, to which I am very fortunate to complete my career in. Unfortunately, COL Ellis - the GEN Ellis died unexpectedly after one of his favorite activities, Running.

Be at rest Sir,

Sgt. Sterba, my section chief and then-2nd Lt. Garrett. Civilian side? Probably Marv.

Lt.Colonel "Mad Jack" Hamilton. 2/325 White Falcons, 82d Airborne Division. Was my BC 1982-83 and took the Batt into Grenada.

SFC Edwards. He was a Staff Sergeant at the time. It's unfortunate but I can't say I know where or what he is now. It was my first duty station, some five years ago now. He was former combat arms. He didn't exactly talk about it but it gave me an impression of cohesiveness and support that I imagined was common place for those of the non-support MOS variety.

I'll forever remember the first time I met him. I was a PFC on Rear D providing support to my unit who were just returning from Iraq. I was just standing there in a back area looking at a map when he approached me and started making conversation. His wealth of knowledge blew me away. The conversation maybe lasted two minutes tops but in that short amount of time I knew all I needed to know to be certain that if there were anyone who represented the idealized version of the Army I had, it was him. He gave off the aura of those movie type Army Leaders. Confident, rugged, and inspiring. Honestly I could gush so much about him but what it comes down to was that I based every bit of Leadership I could have gleamed from experience on my time serving under him.

I was a mere private and he took the time to integrate me into the unit I was soon to be apart of better than any sponsor I've ever had in my entire military career. And this was all immediately after getting off a plane coming out of theater. It was the idea of Leaders like him that made me love the service. It was because of everything I learned from him that I was able to push myself to give just that much more for my Soldiers. To push that much further in support of my Leadership. He set the bar so high and gave me hope because he wasn't perfect. In fact, the only reason he was a Staff Sergeant was because he lost his rank. He took a hit defending a Soldier of his. I doubt I'll ever know the full details of that story but he was the type where you wouldn't doubt it.

I wonder what ever happened to him. I don't have any contacts with anyone who knew him and I didn't become proficient with the enterprise system till well after leaving that duty station. He was already getting up there so I'd imagine he's retired by now but then as stubborn as he was, perhaps he's still sticking in somewhere. He built a sense of pride in my branch, in my unit, in the Army for me and I owe him so much for it. Everything for it. His influence is the reason why I'll work 110% till my day, to my last second in service.

LTC (MD) Donner. He risked his career and fought the chain-of-command to save my wife's life.

LTC David O. Byrd. He took a demoralized unit and in 6 weeks had it operating at peak performance.
MG Grange. He made a major error in judgement, admitted to it and took responsibility for it.

Sp4 Byron Skinner…I won't drop any names here but I would have to say my Platoon Leader in Vietnam, USMC 65 and my Platoon Sergeant in Vietnam. Not everybody in the platoon like them, its a free country. Both really tries to keep us for some rather dangerous missions and when they had to send the platoon out they were not gloating with sick jokes or when we would return after a bad day/night no jokes about being still alive, Other Platoon Leaders and Sergeants had more to fear from their own men the Mr. Charles. I still see my Platoon Leader every Year at Regimental Reunions, my Platoon Sergeant, who himself lost a leg in Vietnam, land mine, passed on about six years ago.

Mine was SFC (Ret.) Kyle Cunningham. I first met this outstanding NCO as a student in PLDC. He made a great impact on me then to become a "firm but fair" leader and to "set the example" in all things. Later, he became my Platoon Sergeant and continued to mentor me to achieve my goals by getting promoted and continuing my education. I owe much of who I am to this selfless leader.

Major Ralph Hedden retired. He was my boss in Iraq and the most selfless and caring person I have ever worked for. I later found out he was a General Macarthur award recipient.