Posted on Apr 7, 2016
Centcom Commander Leaves Legacy of Leading from the Front
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Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III has always led from the front.
In 41 years of service that culminated with serving as U.S. Central Command commander from March 22, 2013, to March 30, 2016, Austin has led every formation from a platoon to a combatant command.
One very public example of his leadership occurred when he served as the 3rd Infantry Division’s assistant division commander for maneuver during the campaign that took Baghdad in April 2003.
Most brigadier generals carry a pistol as a personal weapon; Austin carried an M4 carbine and a full ammo load. He is a big man, and the carbine looked like a peashooter in his hands. But the troops loved that he carried it, and he obviously knew how to use it.
In 41 years of service that culminated with serving as U.S. Central Command commander from March 22, 2013, to March 30, 2016, Austin has led every formation from a platoon to a combatant command.
One very public example of his leadership occurred when he served as the 3rd Infantry Division’s assistant division commander for maneuver during the campaign that took Baghdad in April 2003.
Most brigadier generals carry a pistol as a personal weapon; Austin carried an M4 carbine and a full ammo load. He is a big man, and the carbine looked like a peashooter in his hands. But the troops loved that he carried it, and he obviously knew how to use it.
Centcom Commander Leaves Legacy of Leading from the Front
Posted from defense.gov
Commander
Leadership
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Yes I concur that Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III has always led from the front. COL Mikel J. Burroughs. I am glad that his replacement my old friend and classmate GEN Joseph Votel has also led from the front when he commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment in the western Desert if Iraq. Since much of GEN Votel's career was in SOCOM we can't discuss much of those operations.
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MAJ (Join to see)
For the A Gmail and Company level example of rubber-meets-road, and modern ME counter-insurgency/building a national army in Afganistan, I just finished reading Hammerhead Six, by CPT Ronald Fry, SFODA-362 Cdr, 19th SFG(A), UTAH NG. I am very interested in what VETS of the war think of what this book portraits. Thanks all. John B.
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MAJ (Join to see)
A Gmail. Was typed A Tm- I missed the ebook Android devil spell check correction and hit send,sorry Bros.
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I served with GEN Austin when he was a brand new 2LT in A Co. 1/7 INF. My son served under his command when he was the CG 10ID.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs, great story! I always felt more comfortable with leaders who were not afraid to jump in and get their hands dirty rather than sit back and look polished.
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