Leadership Lessons Learned from "The Pentagon Wars"

"The Pentagon Wars" first came out in 1998 on HBO and is the somewhat true story of the development behind the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. From a simple idea to have a quick moving vehicle with light armor and a small weapons platform to the tank-like vehicle we all know today, the Bradley's development starting in 1968 and resulted in the first Bradley being delivered in 1981.

The movie is based on the book of the same name written by Air Force Colonel James G Burton who was assigned to the Pentagon in the middle of the Bradley's development to over the test of new technology. He quickly found himself surrounded by men more concerned with getting anything out the door that tests were not conducted up to wartime specifications. His main objective was simple, to put the men that would be using this new vehicle first ahead of the equipment.

This "men first, vehicle second" mentality is one that I can easily relate to. As a leader, at any rank, you are charged with not only the maintenance of millions of dollars of equipment but you are more importantly entrusted with the care of the military's most valuable resource, the Service Members below you. While it is not always easy, enjoyable or fun, their care and welfare must come first. This continues into life outside the military as well.

I have held many titles in my 34 years of walking this earth. Two of them are the ones I'm most proud of, Soldier and Dad. As those that are parents now can relate, the world flips upside down when you find out that you are going to be a parent. And while we should never treat the service members assigned to our control as children, the same sort of attention you would give your child you must give to them. Be proud and share in their accomplishments, be supportive through their difficulties and be there with an outreached hand to help them up when they fall. And this must continue throughout the transition from the military.

We have all seen the stories of the VA's 'shortcomings'. How Veterans new to the transition are struggling with the miles and miles of red tape in order to just get the basic support needs in place. Veterans struggling to find a job but are really in need of someone showing them how to write an effective resume. Veterans who find themselves on the verge of being homeless but could truly benefit from sitting down with someone to discuss proper money management. While some of the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the VA, we as Veterans must be willing to foster a good and meaningful relationship with the Veterans around us. We must be willing to once again put aside our own wants for a minute and tend to the needs of another. "Men first, vehicle second" is not just a motto for your time in but rather it can be a leadership lesson given to you in the form of entertainment that could have some of the largest impact on those around you.