Who was your greatest mentor or leader who helped shape your career or future success?

2020-02-17T21:17:08-05:00

I always think back to who made me the soldier I was to become. My mentor, who more than likely never knew, was SSG Harry Wimbrough, later to become CSM Wimbrough, a CSM of the Old Guard. As an Army Ranger, he taught me to be technically and tactically proficient. As a former member and later CSM of the Old Guard, he taught me the importance of Drill and Ceremony as it relates to military history. It was a privilege to have been in his squad.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Feb 17 at 2020 9:18 PM

2020-02-17T21:18:24-05:00

So many.

Response by SGT Kevin Hughes made Feb 17 at 2020 10:13 PM

2020-02-17T22:13:04-05:00

I so wanted to answer this...but the guy who I thought was the best Sergeant in the Army ...well he is also the most private person I ever met. So I won't tell his story, but just know that soldiers like that, who don't want any attention or credit brought upon themselves- are the ones that leave a legacy. That old Army Saying: " A lot can be done if you don't care who gets the credit." Well, it belongs to this man.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2020 10:20 PM

2020-02-17T22:20:29-05:00

SSGT Hall, after walking in the desert for 1 month, he offered to carry my M-60 thinking I needed the help, but I declined, it wasn't that hard or heavy for me. Carrying wood logs with my grandfather out of the jungles was harder.

What it showed me was, he was concerned for his men, and that as a leader, he took care of his men. When I made E-5, he gave me a set of his old Buck Sargent pins he had saved, and told me, it was traditional that your first NCO stripes were hand me down stripes from another Sargent.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 17 at 2020 10:37 PM

2020-02-17T22:37:22-05:00

SFC Aubrey Smith who we met getting off the bus that rainy night at Ft.Lewis Wa.Nov 1965,Basic training NCO and Platoon Sergeant for Alpha Co.3/8 Inf.4th Inf.Div.for the next ten months of training then just to make sure we didn’t screw up he continued his duties as our Platoon Sergeant in Vietnam in the field with us on every operation (easily could have used his rank to get out of the boonies at any time) a professional in his craft ,his kind are rare and unequaled and we were lucky to have had him.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Feb 17 at 2020 11:04 PM

2020-02-17T23:04:15-05:00

Oh god, I can never mention her name -- which is sad in and of itself. It's been 50 years and I think of her nearly every day. She was a Captain (O-3) when she became my nurse, and I was an SP4 (E-4). She gave me a reason to live -- she taught me that I was worthy, there was still life ahead when I was ashamed to let anyone, even her, see me. I looked and felt like Frankenstein's Monster, only the villagers certainly weren't flocking to see me. I hope she had as great a life as she gave me and I salute her, wherever she may be.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2020 11:31 PM

2020-02-17T23:31:25-05:00

Some of yall know him. SSG Gray type still hangs out around fort hood!
Challenged me to stay on top of my game when I was enlisted, and has always offered great insights into motivation and training.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 17 at 2020 11:37 PM

2020-02-17T23:37:29-05:00

A BCT commander. He me taught many things. He even picked me up when I fell. He was definitely a deep thinker and fighter. He taught me to have fun with the troops, recognize support soldiers, and loyalty to the unit. COL Gold gave me the best ass chewing in my career, then wrapped it up by saying I was trying to do the right thing but my methodology was wrong. I love that man, the leader.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 18 at 2020 3:29 AM

2020-02-18T03:29:33-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I'd have to Say CW3 Robert Payne, CTOCM Robert "Red" Adams and CTOCM Charlie Walters.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2020 6:27 AM

2020-02-18T06:27:08-05:00

Early on it was CWO4 Nagazyna, the MMO of my first unit. He had been a Capt in Korea, reverted back to WO and had tons of TIG as CWO4. No CWO5s in 78-79. He used to wrap an arm around our LtCol Sqdn Co and they'd walk and talk, as if mentoring him, but with all due respect. He had a daughter that was a USMC Corporal I believe. He was also a great shooter. Word around Quantico was that he actually died on the firing line after retirement on Quantico. No proof, so unknown. Later it was CWO4 Marine Gunner Bolton at SOI Camp Pendleton. A remarkable leader, with combat and a Silver Star. He got promoted from SSgt to 2Lt for actions in Nam, and also reverted, but back to Marine Gunner. https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1470318/gunner-gilbert-h-bolton-a-marine-through-and-through/

Gunner Gilbert H. Bolton: A Marine through and through

“The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war,” said Silver Star recipient Gilbert H. Bolton during a recent presentation to students of the School of Infantry-West on Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Feb 18 at 2020 7:08 AM

2020-02-18T07:08:11-05:00

My mom- gave me everything I ever needed. She yelled louder than my TI as well.

Response by CPL Sarah Stilwell made Feb 18 at 2020 11:25 AM

2020-02-18T11:25:19-05:00

My BN S3. I was an unassuming 20 year old supply clerk in iraq till they took me in and let me have a flushing toilet and air conditioning and turned me into the iraq war's first documented drone dispatcher.

Response by SGT Kevin Hughes made Feb 18 at 2020 11:31 AM

2020-02-18T11:31:34-05:00

I just had to write another comment. I absolutely loved this thread. I read every single comment...and man they were powerful stories. Of course those of us with Good Mothers' mentioned them too. And the stories of not quite sex, but chemistry that made us overcome - and maybe luck out and not get thrown out. It is just a marvelous thread.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 18 at 2020 11:35 AM

2020-02-18T11:35:18-05:00

I had several mentors throughout my 40+ years of military, private, and public sector employment. Here's a brief list (not and exhaustive list because I learned a lot from many people I worked with and for):
Lt Col Browing Wharton (later Brig Gen, USAF) encouraged me to develop my leadership abilities in and out of the cockpit. Exercised tough-love leadership at a time when the Air Force was going though post-Vietnam change
Bruce Gumble (Capt, USAF) taught me how to write good reading.
Bob Steadman (LTC, USA Ret) taught me how private sector business works; understanding profit and competition
John Turquette (Lt Col, USAF Ret) taught me about the importance of interpersonal relations; always treated everybody with respect and kindness
Dave McClean (COL, USA) excellent Army leader; had more confidence in me than I had in myself

Too numerous to name Sergeants who taught me how to work with enlisted people giving them proper respect and effective leadership.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2020 1:17 PM

2020-02-18T13:17:48-05:00

I've been lucky enough to work with a few:
LTC (now COL) Joe Pishock. Probably the most intelligent guy I've worked for, but extremely humble and self-deprecating. He taught me to look at every leadership problem as a challenge, and an opportunity to develop.

CPT( now MAJ) Tom Silio, my first CO CDR as a new 2LT. Instilled in me a love of learning and taught me to always to improve myself.

CPT (now COL) Sean Lester. Inspired and encouraged me to seek a commission when I was a PVT working for him. At the time it seemed like a pipe dream as I didn't even have a HS diploma at the time.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Feb 18 at 2020 5:14 PM

2020-02-18T17:14:38-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member My parents

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Feb 18 at 2020 7:59 PM

2020-02-18T19:59:08-05:00

My kids! They made me want to be better than I was!