Posted on Jul 23, 2015
GEN Ann Dunwoody here, I'm coming by next Tuesday to speak with you. What questions do you have for me?
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*Post your questions below*
From RP Staff:
General Ann Dunwoody is the first female in U.S. Military history to reach the rank of four-star General. General Dunwoody served as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 (logistics) from 2005 to 2008 when she was nominated as Commanding General, U.S. Army Material Command, by President George W. Bush.
This past April, General Dunwoody released her first book “A Higher Standard: Leadership Strategies from America’s First Female Four-Star General”. Like General McChrystal, who visited us in June, General Dunwoody believes adaptive leadership is key for an evolving force. The book is loaded with practical leadership advice applicable at any level of leadership. You can find a copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/Higher-Standard-Leadership-Strategies-Four-Star/dp/ [login to see]
General Dunwoody will be joining us on July 28th at 4:00pm EST for a live Q&A session. Post your questions now so she can answer them first on the 28th!
From RP Staff:
General Ann Dunwoody is the first female in U.S. Military history to reach the rank of four-star General. General Dunwoody served as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 (logistics) from 2005 to 2008 when she was nominated as Commanding General, U.S. Army Material Command, by President George W. Bush.
This past April, General Dunwoody released her first book “A Higher Standard: Leadership Strategies from America’s First Female Four-Star General”. Like General McChrystal, who visited us in June, General Dunwoody believes adaptive leadership is key for an evolving force. The book is loaded with practical leadership advice applicable at any level of leadership. You can find a copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/Higher-Standard-Leadership-Strategies-Four-Star/dp/ [login to see]
General Dunwoody will be joining us on July 28th at 4:00pm EST for a live Q&A session. Post your questions now so she can answer them first on the 28th!
Leadership
Women in the Military
Q&A
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 43
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Ma'am, As we all know, the entire military is down sizing. Do you think this is a mistake because of threats from Iran, Russia and ISIS? Thank you for your time, Ma'am.
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GEN Ann Dunwoody
SSG William M.
The down sizing of our Military worries me. I don’t think we’ve ever lived in a more dangerous world, and historically we have seen the negative results of dramatic downsizing … Task Force Smith in Korea and a Hollow Army after Vietnam.. took us 10 years to recover.
The down sizing of our Military worries me. I don’t think we’ve ever lived in a more dangerous world, and historically we have seen the negative results of dramatic downsizing … Task Force Smith in Korea and a Hollow Army after Vietnam.. took us 10 years to recover.
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PFC Donnie Harold Harris
Maybe it is time to tell the public what you have been doing without our knowledge? We have the best airforce in the world yet Know one knows why we are getting chemtrails. Yes or no, are we letting a group of scientists destroy/alter the world as we know it?
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Beyond being the first female Four-Star General in history, an awesome accomplishment, how else would you want people to remember you for?
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GEN Ann Dunwoody
Thanks SGT Keen,
I think a leaders greatest legacy is developing the bench of leaders
Future, and I hope I’ll will be remembered for doing that.
I think a leaders greatest legacy is developing the bench of leaders
Future, and I hope I’ll will be remembered for doing that.
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SGT Ben Keen
GEN Ann Dunwoody - That's great ma'am. I feel the same as well. I think leaders, at any level, need to focus on training their replacement. Basing down the lessons, both good and bad, is something I think that separates good leadership from great leadership.
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GEN Ann Dunwoody
Your legacy will be the leaders you developed and trained to replace you and continue the mission
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GEN Dunwoody,
Glad to see you here. My question is, are our military leaders becoming more political as a result of careerism (promotion system) or is this a natural evolution of leaders? Having had the opportunity to serve in positions of Corporal to Colonel during the past 30 years, I have noticed a not so subtle shift in leadership styles from the post-Vietnam War combat tested, to the hollow Army (zero tolerance) leader, to the multi-cultural sensitivity trained leader (primarily focused on protecting themselves from career-ending errors). I had COL Hackworth as a mentor while I was Company Grade and he warned me that like him, I would retire when leading meant something other than preparing men and women to fight and win America's wars. He noticed the trend in the Hollow Army of the 70s and I reached that point last year. My Army's focus on monthly sensitivity training, quarterly SHARP briefings and a multitude of other social engineering initiatives overwhelmed my unit's ability to train on their mission. It was as if my unit's mission was to remind people to behave responsibly, while protecting myself with a record that confirmed the training was conducted. Don't get me wrong, personal responsibility, Army Values and the fair treatment of everyone are important but not to the point it becomes our overwhelming focus. Will it take another 'First Battles' lesson to force leaders back to the focus on manning, equipping and training our fighting force or are their leaders willing to stand up and do what is right?
Glad to see you here. My question is, are our military leaders becoming more political as a result of careerism (promotion system) or is this a natural evolution of leaders? Having had the opportunity to serve in positions of Corporal to Colonel during the past 30 years, I have noticed a not so subtle shift in leadership styles from the post-Vietnam War combat tested, to the hollow Army (zero tolerance) leader, to the multi-cultural sensitivity trained leader (primarily focused on protecting themselves from career-ending errors). I had COL Hackworth as a mentor while I was Company Grade and he warned me that like him, I would retire when leading meant something other than preparing men and women to fight and win America's wars. He noticed the trend in the Hollow Army of the 70s and I reached that point last year. My Army's focus on monthly sensitivity training, quarterly SHARP briefings and a multitude of other social engineering initiatives overwhelmed my unit's ability to train on their mission. It was as if my unit's mission was to remind people to behave responsibly, while protecting myself with a record that confirmed the training was conducted. Don't get me wrong, personal responsibility, Army Values and the fair treatment of everyone are important but not to the point it becomes our overwhelming focus. Will it take another 'First Battles' lesson to force leaders back to the focus on manning, equipping and training our fighting force or are their leaders willing to stand up and do what is right?
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GEN Ann Dunwoody
COL Harrison,
Thanks for the question. One of the things I enjoyed about being in the military is that it is an apolitical organization. While important to understand politics I tried to keep politics out of my decision making process and focus on doing the right thing for the right reason. This might sound polyanna but in our world we serve at the pleasure of the President but our job – as you stated - is to train man and equip our soldiers so that they can be winners on the battlefield. That includes creating a safe environment and positive command climate where every soldier is treated with dignity and respect. In my book “A Higher Standard” I describe the 3 kinds of leaders I ran into during my career. Advocates, Patronizers, and Detractors. Advocates – help, Patronizers – Decieve and Detractors – Dislike. Not unique to the military. What I tried to do is stay on the moral high ground, don’t resort to name calling or innuendo’s and don’t lower your personal standard.
Thanks for the question. One of the things I enjoyed about being in the military is that it is an apolitical organization. While important to understand politics I tried to keep politics out of my decision making process and focus on doing the right thing for the right reason. This might sound polyanna but in our world we serve at the pleasure of the President but our job – as you stated - is to train man and equip our soldiers so that they can be winners on the battlefield. That includes creating a safe environment and positive command climate where every soldier is treated with dignity and respect. In my book “A Higher Standard” I describe the 3 kinds of leaders I ran into during my career. Advocates, Patronizers, and Detractors. Advocates – help, Patronizers – Decieve and Detractors – Dislike. Not unique to the military. What I tried to do is stay on the moral high ground, don’t resort to name calling or innuendo’s and don’t lower your personal standard.
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COL (Join to see)
GEN Dunwoody,
The last time we spoke was when you attended CENTCOM's Army Ball as a guest of GEN Patreaus. It was great to see the both of you enjoy the ball. I believe we have experienced the same military and the same kinds of leaders. Unfortunately, too many of my soldiers and myself have experienced too few 'advocates' and too many of the 'patronizers' and 'detractors.' Detractors tend to have short careers unless they are superior, tactically and technically or have a coattail to ride. Patronizers have dominated during much of my career and although my perception may be off, I believe they tended to get the lion's share of the school and command billets as well as promotions. I too, tried my best to accept the influence of organizational and national politics but aspired to follow my NCO and officer training to 'do what is right.' But too often, 'what was right' become fluid for too many. I have always remembered that it was an Army JAG BG who challenged Senator Joe McCarthy. Sometimes, I wish we had others in our current ranks willing to risk it all to provide the advice and counsel our political leaders either avoid or refuse to acknowledge. But, as you have stated, we serve at the pleasure of the President. I hope you are enjoying retirement.
The last time we spoke was when you attended CENTCOM's Army Ball as a guest of GEN Patreaus. It was great to see the both of you enjoy the ball. I believe we have experienced the same military and the same kinds of leaders. Unfortunately, too many of my soldiers and myself have experienced too few 'advocates' and too many of the 'patronizers' and 'detractors.' Detractors tend to have short careers unless they are superior, tactically and technically or have a coattail to ride. Patronizers have dominated during much of my career and although my perception may be off, I believe they tended to get the lion's share of the school and command billets as well as promotions. I too, tried my best to accept the influence of organizational and national politics but aspired to follow my NCO and officer training to 'do what is right.' But too often, 'what was right' become fluid for too many. I have always remembered that it was an Army JAG BG who challenged Senator Joe McCarthy. Sometimes, I wish we had others in our current ranks willing to risk it all to provide the advice and counsel our political leaders either avoid or refuse to acknowledge. But, as you have stated, we serve at the pleasure of the President. I hope you are enjoying retirement.
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GEN Ann Dunwoody
I am sorry you have not served with more advocates. I was blessed with many wonderful coaches and mentors through out my career. They had the personal courage to fight the hard fights. CENTCOM ball was one of the best events ... Seems like yesterday ! We are busy .. But it is a good busy
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