Who is the most inspirational leader?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 11:39:54 -0500

LTG Hal Moore, GA George Washington, CPT Lauri Torni, LTG George Patton, MAJ Audie Murphy, LTG James Gavin, MSG Randall D. Shughart, etc. Who inspires you to be a great leader?

Response by Sgt Jason West made Dec 31 at 2014 4:40 PM

Sgt Jason West — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:40:22 -0500

The Warrior Monk, Gen. Mad Dog Mattis. LtGen Chesty Puller. That Gunny from the youtube video with the John Gleen story....

Truthfully though, I worked for quite a few leaders that inspired me. The two that I think did so the most though were GySgt Valdez and GySgt Long. No, they are not famous or well known, but they taught me how to be a leader and take care of your Marines more than anybody else.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 4:52 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:52:52 -0500

Two Generals motivated me, SFC Private RallyPoint Member. One is a member of RallyPoint. I worked at the Pentagon when GEN George Casey was the Army Chief of Staff. It's not like I saw him all the time, but I did hear him speak at various events and at the newcomers' brief. I'm amazed by these GOs and just how sharp they are. I came away from the talks I saw wanting to do better. I call that inspiration.

The other GO was LTG Huntoon, who was the Director of the Army Staff when I started at the Pentagon. I see that he got into some trouble recently, while serving as the USMA Superintendent. Nevertheless, his talk to newcomers at the Pentagon was positively inspirational. He impressed me as one of the sharpest men (general or not) that I have ever heard speak.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Dec 31 at 2014 6:05 PM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:05:27 -0500

My two most inspirational leaders were BG(R) Coral Pietsch and CW5 Sharon Swartworth. Ms Pietsch, was a reserve Judge Advocate and GS-15 DA Civilian from US Army Pacific. She was the first female general officer in the JAG Corps and first female Asian-American GO. She is now a presidentially appointed judge US Court of Appeal for Veteran's Claims. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions/women-veteran-leaders/coral-wong-pietsch

She is a genuinely honest, compassionate, but stern leader that was never afraid to make a decision and and be accountable for the results. She shared her knowledge with anyone that had an interest regardless of their status.

Similarly, CW5 Sharon Swartworth was a regimental warrant officer of the JAGC. She was much bigger than the JAGC though. She was a leader among warrant officers. She could garner consensus among the most cynical of crusty warrants. Her outgoing personality, strategic mindset, and talent management skills allowed her to be extremely successful and develop great leaders to follow her. She was tragically killed in Iraq in November, 2003 with the JAGC regimental sergeant major and the blackhawk crew from 5/101 Aviation Regiment.

While it is great to study and follow the big leaders like LTG Hal Moore, LTG Patton, or more recently McChrystal, Petraeus, Mattis, and Campbell, we should seek out those inspirational leaders within our own circles as well. They are out there.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 31 at 2014 8:21 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:21:54 -0500

I can't say who is the most inspirational. I never met but a few of them. However, my first military leaders, the ones I met in Basic Combat Training, inspired the hell out of me.

Let me tell you a story...

About half way through the training cycle, our BCT company was tapped to march in a retirement parade. The "battalion" included us, a WAC company (this was in 1966) and an airborne company. We were standing at parade rest during the speeches when it began to rain. Everyone, including me, began to fidget, especially when the rain began dripping from the "visor" of my helmet onto the tip of my nose. There was a lot of shuffling around and grumbling in the ranks.

Slowly, I began to notice that the men in front of me were shrugging off the discomfort and assuming a proper position of parade rest. Peeking between the ranks, I could see our CO, CPT John Sevcik (not sure of the spelling) standing a a rigid position of parade rest as though demonstrating what he expected of us. I joined those in front of me in following his example and could feel the ranks behind me responding as well.

When the command to "Pass in review" came, we came to attention and marched past the reviewing stand with eyes right. I can't attest to the other files, but ours was perfectly aligned.

We learned later that our CO received a letter from the base CG complimenting him and his training company (us) on our performance under adverse conditions.

Our CO didn't demand perfection from us. He inspired it...

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 1 at 2015 7:04 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 07:04:24 -0500

I have had the privilege of having some really great mentors throughout my career. Each of them have had an impact on the Soldier and Leader that I am today. Who inspires me to be a great leader? My Soldiers; both present and past. I take great pride in doing all that I can to ensure that they are successful. In their success and growth I find my personal satisfaction. There is no greater feeling that running into a former Soldier of mine and they take the time out to tell me what they have accomplished or have overcame. Soldiers are the reason I still serve and continue to strive to be the best that I can.

Response by SFC Robert Haxton made Jan 1 at 2015 12:13 PM

SFC Robert Haxton — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 12:13:48 -0500

All of the mentioned would be more than an honor to serve with. But some of my favorites are General George Washington and LTG Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made Apr 7 at 2015 2:40 PM

CPT Bob Moore — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 14:40:59 -0400

I guess as a one-time member of the 82d Airborne and picking from that list, I better say LTG Gavin.

Seriously, it was my leaders as a new private that really inspire me. I had some of the best leaders during that time that shaped my development as a leader, and still, 20 years later, cause me to think about what I am doing. They were and are some of the best examples of leaders I have ever known and I still benefit from what I learned from them.

Response by CPO Bill Penrod made Sep 15 at 2017 5:43 AM

CPO Bill Penrod — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 05:43:12 -0400

General Robert E Lee great leader that could lots with little.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2017 7:41 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 07:41:07 -0400

All of the above and so many more that I cannot list them because this post will go on forever. The military service members make up most of my heroes I habe heroes from every generation of US servicemebers from every branch they inspire me to be a better American to under stand this nation that is America instilling me with this question What is it about America that was so worth it to do what they did? This question set me on a path to understand this nation everything about it.

Response by LCpl George Sprankle made Sep 21 at 2017 12:04 AM

LCpl George Sprankle — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 00:04:57 -0400

Louis B. (Chesty) Puller.