Moments in Leadership

Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Why Should You Support this project? I realize all of the leaders who listen to the episodes are at different levels of life, and my goal is to be able to have this project remain free and available to anyone who wants it and your donations help go towards that. Your donations go towards offsetting my costs of producing high-quality episodes. Additionally, since this is a part-time hobby project for me, I'm forced to outsource a good deal of work to others to maintain a regular publishing schedule. Your donations help offset these costs as well. Check out my Supercast site and see if any level is a good fit for helping: Connect with Us: Visit the Moments in Leadership website: Follow us on Instagram: Follow us on Twitter: Email us: themiloffice@gmail.com Other Podcasts Interviews with David B. Armstrong Scuttlebutt Podcast EP 38 Former Action Guys Podcast EP 161 Former Action Guys Podcast EP 141 Former Action Guys Podcast EP 60 Former Action Guys Podcast EP 54 About the Host: David B. Armstrong, CFA, is President and Co-Founder of Monument Wealth Management, an independent wealth management firm he started in 2008 in Alexandria, Va. David received his BA from the University of South Carolina in Government & International Relations and his MBA at the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business in International Finance. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Navy ROTC program and served on Active Duty in the Marine Corps from 1990-1997 as an Artillery Officer and then received a secondary MOS as a Tank Officer. He re-entered the Selected Marine Corps Reserves in 2003 and served in several billets across the Artillery, Tank, and Light Armored Reconnaissance communities. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in late 2018.

In this episode of Moments in Leadership, U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Paul Merida and host David B. Armstrong discuss the early parts of his life and career, concluding with his time commanding one of the ‘Crown Jewels’ of the Marine Corps, a Marine Expeditionary Unit. His insights provide useful lessons about how to manage disparate organizations over distance and differences. Leaders are sometimes thrown into positions where they have the training, but the sudden onset of responsibility hits them unexpectedly. Colonel Merida speaks to his initial leadership baptism when he was called off leave after initial infantry officer training and thrown into Embassy reinforcement operations in Libya with a short-called-up unit itself. The lessons of setting the tone and creating a climate of discipline are useful to people thrown into a leadership position without due warning. While everyone fashions themselves as the next great General or titan of industry, sometimes, perhaps more often than we want to think about, there exist those leaders who, through a misunderstanding of the environment, create a toxic environment that makes it hard to lead in. Understanding how to lead in this environment, and create a safe operational space for their subordinates. Managing and leading are different aspects of command in the Marine Corps. Colonel Merida addresses the difficulties of planning versus executing a plan, the different qualities a person in a leadership position needs to have, and the various intangibles a unit needs versus the bulletized tangibles. The ability to run massive, personnel and distance-based, organizations is probably the most unique aspect Colonel Merida brings to the Moments in Leadership podcast. Having the ability to harness different units, personnel, ships, and operations within a cohesive structure is part of building a climate, focusing on the basics, and creating a culture of learning. Colonel Merida overall provides a nuanced, unfiltered, and non-flinching look at leadership, followership, and teaching that have culminated in an illustrious career. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: LtGen David Bellon and the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Carlos Ruiz – A Command Team Briefing to Alpha Company TBS 2022 (themiloffice.com) Moments in Leadership - David G. Bellon, LtGen, USMC (themiloffice.com) Moments in Leadership - Major General Dale Alford, USMC (themiloffice.com) MajGen Dale Alford: "I Was a Student in AWS, Got Pulled Out, and Sent to Combat" - A Follow-up to Episode 14 (themiloffice.com) What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Why Should You Support this project? I realize all of the leaders who listen to the episodes are at different levels of life, and my goal is to be able to have this...

This episode is a unique look into the mind of one of our service’s senior leaders days before a major hearing. Moreso than a typical CSPAN briefing of soundbites, the lister will be able to hear, in detail, plans to improve quality of life and lethality of Marines. The 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SMMC), Carlos Ruiz, discusses the initiatives he plans to champion during his tenure as the SMMC and how Quality of Life improvement ultimately makes the Marine Corps a more lethal organization and force for the American public. One of the most transformational questions asked of SgtMaj Ruiz is the state of the barracks. SMMC Ruiz discusses how the Marine Corps, at the most senior levels, are taking positive and tangible action to alleviate this most common and consequential of issues. SMMC Ruiz details the renovation plans and how the ability to move Marines may not be the ideal solution. SMMC Ruiz also details how the ability to press the ‘I believe’ button is important and helps the whole process. One of the key adjacent tangents around the barracks issue is the use of Social Media as both a positive and a negative in allowing leaders to see what is behind typical ‘painting the rocks’ inspections and true issues in the barracks. The barracks issue leads into larger priorities the SMMC is working on, specifically those issues tied to recruiting and retaining a quality force. The use of quality of life means the individual Marine needs to be looked at as a person and not merely as a number to fill a billet. Understanding that individual Marines have individual goals, lives, and, more importantly, options means the Marine Corps has to compete with a burgeoning American economy and the private sector. This key issue girds a lot of the arguments currently being aligned under Quality of Life 2030 initiatives. The great tacticians will understand how best to use all of their supporting fires. In the battle to increase the Quality of Life 2030 for Marines, SMMC Ruiz understands and leans into using non-traditional and non-Marine Corps aligned organizations, such as PB Abbatte. Similarly, the increased and prominent use of Social Media allows the SMMC an unvarnished look into the Force and also allows Marines to see others providing skills perhaps unavailable in their own units. 1st Battalion 8th Marine Regiment is brought up as an example of a unit using Social Media for positive outcomes and showing how other units in the Marine Corps have used this new paradigm to their advantage. Quality of Life extends to Marines' careers and how they are brought along in their journey to become a future Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Understanding the Marine Corps’ mission ultimately comes first does not mean Marines do not rate to have an honest conversation and transparency in how the Marine Corps plans to use them. Balancing the new generation of empowered, knowledge and opportunity-wise, Marines with the realities of the service is another priority SMMC wants to improve on while in his seat. While this episode does touch on leadership issues (taking care of subordinates, being a good sensor, and understanding how to accomplish the mission), it is more impactful for understanding the thought process and careful deliberation and contemplation senior/executive level leaders undergo to make their best arguments on behalf of their services and ultimately those who make the majority of those services strength, the enlisted. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: LtGen David Bellon and the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Carlos Ruiz –...

This Ain’t the Boy Scouts – U.S. Army Major General Matthew D. Smith In this episode of Moments in Leadership, Army Major General Matthew D. Smith and host David B. Armstrong discuss the early parts of his life and career, concluding with his time holding battlespace in Afghanistan without a workup cycle to support that style of operation. His insights offer a different spice to the typical Moments in Leadership ranks as they take into account both National Guard and U.S. Army perspectives. Listeners will hear similarities across this discussion with other Moments in Leadership and will reinforce core leadership traits. Understanding the difference between child’s play and the real consequences of actual leadership is one of the first hurdles a military leader must overcome in their journey. A leader has real responsibilities, ethically and legally, to uphold and must be ruthless in carrying them out, as literal lives depend on it. School and training courses can only prepare you so much and you must learn both academic and practical skills. The only thing you can’t get back is time. Leaders need to learn from those who have gone before them and not make the leadership mistake of making a mistake someone learned before you. Being liked is a good skill to have as a leader but being liked is not the end goal of leadership. Subordinates will take care of leaders who take care of them and let those who believe they are ‘above it all’ be all alone above them. Subordinates’ perspectives should be taken into account, but mission success does dictate all. This is a balancing act and an enduring one leaders must undertake. Standards are standards since they are non-negotiable and are often written in others’ blood. To rebuild an organization, one must work on building from the ground up and reinforcing the basics, regardless of what they are, and reinforcing the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’. Major General Smith concludes with the importance of understanding the purpose, or goal, of a mission being more important than the task, or how, of the mission. He further discusses how understanding the subordinates below you and how the application of a ‘Napoleon’s Corporal’ is crucially important to success as they are the lowest echelon to carry out the actual mission and need to understand the stated purpose. This episode builds off previous Moments in Leadership and shows how core traits of leadership and followership are universal, even in the U.S. Army. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: LtGen David Bellon and the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Carlos Ruiz – A Command Team Briefing to Alpha Company TBS 2022 (themiloffice.com) Vice Admiral (Retired) William R. Merz, USN – At 1000 Feet, Leadership Can Crush You (themiloffice.com) What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military...

Sergeant Major Rivera enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2000 and is currently assigned to the 3d Littoral Logistics Battalion. Extended show notes are coming - I'm just getting this episode out there for listening. Email me if you have any questions before I post notes.

In this episode of Moments in Leadership, host David B. Armstrong spends time with retired Marine Colonel Stephen Davis, a veteran of the post-Vietnam War Marine Corps, the Reconnaissance Community, Joint Special Operations, and multiple combat tours up to the Regimental Command level, where they spend time discussing various topics related to hard-won lessons from the front lines combined with a realist take on what command, leadership, and management means. From Colonel Davis’ initial training operations and three courts martial in his first week of command, the conversation discusses the concept of having, understanding, and being humble enough to ask for assistance from those who have been there before, namely the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers who have the inherent experience in an organization. This oft-ridden military maxim is buttressed by examples of not being wholly subservient to these people either and Colonel Davis provides examples where ‘stellar’ Marines have cracked under pressure and changes have to be made to protect the troops. Colonel Davis never expected to stay in the Marine Corps and some of the reasons he decided to make it a career early into it provide some examples of how leadership is often the primary determinant of wanting to belong, or conversely, to leave, an organization. Leaders make the culture. Colonel Davis subscribed to this notion enough that he made himself overly useful as an infantry officer in a Reconnaissance unit as its Supply Officer. This led to large dividends down the road in his command life and shows true leaders take opportunities, even if they appear bad, and make the best out of them. The Reconnaissance Community instilled numerous values within Colonel Davis. Specifically, he learned how to lead overachievers, how sometimes metrics are not the best indicators of a ‘good’ unit or Marine, and the differences between Management and Leadership. One of the more interesting lessons Colonel Davis provides is on the concept of the combat leader. Colonel Davis leans into the idea that leaders need to be where they need to be, but not always at the front. He is also a believer that the line between a bad decision and the Medal of Honor is razor-thin and medal chasers have no business in the combat arms field. Colonel Davis provides discussion points on the focus of a leader (the Commanding Officer) vice a manager (the Executive Officer/Chief of Staff) and how they are both important to the overall success of an organization. The episode goes into Colonel Davis’ time as the Regimental Combat Team 2 Commanding Officer and the successes (Manuever Warfare use of illusionary force structure in a Counterinsurgency environment to take ‘denied’ strongholds in two days) and the failures (Moral issue sins of commission and omission with the Haditha killings) and how these incidents led to him once again blossoming to help with similar issues within the Naval Special Warfare Community, specifically moral injury, boundless loyalty, and who does a person owe their allegiance to. Overall, the episode is an insightful discussion about leadership, moral convictions, and the ability to take the best out of situations. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Be sure to check out the sponsor of this show Fieldseats.com for virtual reviews of great firearms, optics and gear where at the end of the virtual review, they give theitem away to an attendee. Be sure to use CODE: “LETHALMINDS” for 10% off the registration to a virtual review and check out their Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube accounts @filed_seats [Terms and Conditions...

SPECIAL THANKS TO MATT MIRANDA AND JEREMY KOFSKY FOR EDITING AND SHOW NOTES SUPPORT In this episode of Moments in Leadership, retired Vice Admiral William (Bill) Merz and host David B. Armstrong discuss how life can take strange turns to making capable leaders, oftentimes through hard times and rough seas. VADM Merz has seen the depths of the ocean and the heights of a superiorly led organization. His insights are valuable to all those who don’t want to be crushed under the everlasting burdens of leadership and ownership. Learning the ‘personality’ of an organization is similar to understanding the ‘personality’ of a submarine, especially one as temperamental as the Thresher class submarine VADM Merz started on. Organizations that place a priority on the importance of the mission, expect professionalism in all duties, and have tangible results all work to produce leaders that all pull in the same direction. Setting a standard, and holding people to that standard, provides a way for people to see their potential and sets the conditions for them to operate at their best. The standards of the submarine fleet are set by the accountability foisted upon the submarine’s commanding officer. They are absolutely responsible and accountable for everything on the submarine, to include the safe and effective use of the nuclear powerplant. This stringent adherence to accountability, and the training/certification elements of a submarine officer’s career has created the paradigm wherein, as VADM Merz states, ‘there will never be a second nuclear issue in the Navy, because after the first, the whole program will be shut down’. To enforce accountability, and a learning culture, VADM Merz states one needs to celebrate mistakes, while this seems counterintuitive, the ability to distill failures to the procedural reason they occurred ultimately reinforces the accountability and ownership of the group. Conversely, good things happening by accident also needs to be investigated as procedures should result in predictable outcomes that can be repeatable. A command climate that can foster this ‘celebration of mistakes’ is one that empowers all within and displays consistency. A leader who yells all the time can be fine, as long as their yelling is consistent in its application. When the yelling has no purpose other than to get frustrations out, then the command climate will falter. A good command climate is also one in which junior leaders feel respected enough to stand up to senior leadership and tell them when things are not working in proper order. VADM Merz gives examples throughout his career of the good and bad coming out of these situations, including a time or two when he himself was the ‘bad’ boss. The wanting to be with the ‘best’ can lead people away from their best instincts in a poor command influence. VADM Merz provides stories of working operations with Navy SEALs and how arguments between SEALs and submariners about tactics and rigging would be immediately smashed by senior SEALs, who would tell these highly proficient warriors they need to understand submarines are not their specialty and to let those who are experts in their areas execute the best way to support the mission. The best person is always the best person, you need the right person to perform the task. Once the experts are identified in an area, an appropriate command climate is fostered, and mistakes can be celebrated, the didactic nature in which the submarine community approaches problems can be applied to any other number of problem sets. VADM Merz provides the example of his time as the 7th Fleet Commander having the lowest suicide rate in decades and being able to uncover unconscious bias within the ranks. VADM Merz’s concludes with the importance of gaining the trust of subordinates and using the tools available to a commander, namely mast as a tool to correct and provide guidance to those who are accountable for carrying out the...

HUGE THANKS TO JEREMY KOFSKY AND MIKE CIFUENTES FOR THEIR HELP PRODUCING THIS EPISODE. War is everchanging, but its nature is everlasting. Sergeant Major Troy Black, in one of his last speaking engagements as the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (and right before his selection as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC), uses this mantra to guide the way he views Marines and the Marine Corps. This episode provides a unique look into how the Marine Corps is and will be in the future. This episode provides a glimpse into the conclave known only to former Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps, namely that first week and the feeling of, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ SgtMaj Black offers suggestions into how he would improve the process and make a more seamless transition benefiting such a high office, including dealing with Congress and mentorship with Sergeants Major across the Marine Corps. SgtMaj Black discusses how evolution and revolution occur within the Marine Corps and why thinking five years ahead is the traditional minimum to make substantive enlisted changes. The slow pace is argued as a positive due to doctrine stating that the Marine defends its standard and discipline zealously. This is instilled through negotiables and non-negotiables that emphasize the nature of leadership and war while understanding that the character of war will change. While the non-negotiables provide clear guidance and direction, SgtMaj Black argues these are actually liberating to Marines to make the revolutionary changes they have made throughout their history. Despite historic and historical declines in the recruitable population, SgtMaj Black details why the Marine Corps is still an attractive option to young Americans and to those already in the Marine Corps, including recruitment and retention numbers not slacking off despite the rest of the DoD’s issues in these arenas. The thought of ‘This shit sucks’ (my words, not his) is discussed as a thought of Marines getting out, and SgtMaj Black argues this is due to leaders, not to the Marine Corps, and that the grass will be just as brown on the outside. The ‘inter-war’ period of conflict is not new, and the Marine Corps is especially critical in those times. This period is important to the professional force as it allows for training, education, gain experience, and rest to be ready on day one of conflict to win. Part of this rest and training includes what leaders can learn from airplanes to make humans more high-performing individuals, including physical, social, and spiritual fitness. SgtMaj Black discusses how subcultures detract from the overall culture of the Marine Corps and serves to drive down the individual Marine’s sense of community and belonging. Despite advances in Artificial Intelligence, Hypersonics, and Robotics, SgtMaj Black states the Marines of today and the future will be of the same cloth as when he was a recruit. The adherence to the non-negotiables is the path to making the cloth the same. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: https://mil.supercast.com Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Marine Corps Heritage Foundation 2023 Award Winners: Annual Awards Program: 2023 Award Winners - Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (marineheritage.org) -Lejeune Award Winner The War Horse | Nonprofit journalism about military service. 1984 Book. 1984: Orwell, George: 9781443434973: Amazon.com: Books Non-Negotiables: -Warfighting -Physicality -Expeditionary Mindset -Professional Military Education and Development -History, Protocol, & Traditions -Leadership -Discipline -Drill and Ceremony Moments In Leadership...

‘The Enemy Doesn’t Care About Your Status’ - Upholding the Standard from the Front to Push Subordinates Forward. This episode is a unique and extremely rare look into what mentorship in the Marine Corps looks like and how Marines address each other and the issues facing the Marine Corps; head on. Lt Gen Bellon and SgtMaj Ruiz are the Command Element for both Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces Southern Command. Lt Gen Bellon is an active and violent supporter of engagement via social media and driving innovation in the Marine Corps. This episode, taped during a leadership mentor session to a company of graduating Lieutenants at The Basic School (TBS), is filled with great "Moments in Leadership" applicable both to the new Lieutenants in the audience and leaders of all stripes. Discussed is the ‘uncommon desire to serve’ inherent within Marines, officers, and enlisted, being the bedrock of what makes the Marine Corps the organization it is today and serves as the great leveler within the Marine Corps. The newly announced 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps discusses how standards, and the rigid adherence to those standards, serve as the bare minimum, and leaders need to drive to keep themselves and their subordinates to the utmost of those standards, to include something as innocuous as a formation for a subordinate. One of the most critical aspects of being a leader is the human component of it, namely the leader and their subordinates are both humans, with basic human wants and needs, like companionship. LtGen Bellon says one of the major initial pitfalls is currying favor with subordinates. Standards are how Marine officers fulfill their responsibility to those they lead. Dropping those standards is beneath those Marines a leader is charged with. Understanding and enforcing standards goes hand in hand with gaining the trust of those being led. The ability to do the hard tasks creates teams and organizations capable of being self-feeding and self-evolving organisms that can succeed despite losing people or changing missions. Creating an organization that can execute mission intent without being told is the ultimate goal of leaders, both officer and enlisted. Creating this trust in subordinates and leaders is gained through competence in both leader and leaders, which has the added benefit of granting high morale within a unit. One of the more unique aspects of this episode is the chance to hear the concerns of the newest generation of Marine Corps leaders and the thoughts of some of the most senior leaders on those issues. Topics discussed include Force Design 2030, Talent Management, mentorship and self-education, and Reserve timing/manning issues. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: https://mil.supercast.com Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Supercast Support: Listen to Ep 15: LtGen Karsten S. Heckl, USMC - Addressing Force Design 2030, Death in Aviator/Combat Training, and Risk Assessment https://bit.ly/3ckkm5K Listen to Ep 11: LtGen David G. Bellon – Commander MARFORRES, "I almost didn't accept my commission" https://bit.ly/3A45RwL Listen to Ep 22: 1stSgt Shamus Flynn, USMC – From Motor T Mechanic to MARSOC – What Emerging Leaders Need to Know About Setting the Example, Admin, and Awards http://bit.ly/3Z2UjDj Listen to Ep 21: The Hotwash – A Leadership Panel of Six Officers Discuss their Opinions of the Past Episodes http://bit.ly/3xzTkPn What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will...

This episode is a look towards the past and how the core of a good leader is timeless. Lt Gen Gregory Newbold, the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) commander of Operation Restore Hope and later on the Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is a leader with an unwavering desire to be responsible to those he leads. This episode provides a glimpse behind the curtain into a oft misunderstood, or even mysterious, selection process of being selected as a Marine Corps general and the gut wrenching decisions that must be made to ensure only the very very best are selected for that rank. Lt Gen Newbold discusses the acronym ‘DILLICLAP’ (Do I Look Like I Can Lead A Platoon) and how that sets the baseline for how leaders can begin to model themselves to their units. Conversely, Newbold also provides examples of how those who don’t measure up to the standards of the organization or the unit can still be learning experiences for others. The cornerstone of DILLICLAP is for someone to try hard to learn both the art and science of the job and perform in both the actual job and in taking care of subordinates. Upholding and clearly stating standards will imbue an organization full of subordinates more likely to push further than they might have on their own. They are not looking for friends, they are looking for structure, standards, and setting the example. These dictums are seen as nearly universal, even with a unit that previously burned down their company headquarters. The ability to give people focus and goals is critical as a milieu in which to set structure, standards, and the example. Dealing with friction with leaders is an oft-forgotten aspect of being in charge. Leaders can and do disagree, it is how to handle those situations from policy disagreements to an incoherent and sleep deprived Regimental Commander, whilst maintaining professionalism and the interests of those you lead that helps in forging a true leader. Speaking truth to power and being imaginative with limited resources provides outsized effects to the overall mission, as Lt Gen Newbold discusses when talking about his experiences with the 15th MEU and Operations Restore Hope, to include the fabled live ‘secret’ beach landing in Somalia. Along with the structure of leadership is the moral courage to stick up for those being led. Lt Gen Newbold provides several examples of this from his time as a Battalion, MEU, and national level staff officer, particularly his decision to resign in the face of his beliefs over the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: https://mil.supercast.com Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Supercast Support: Listen to EP 18: SMMC Troy Black, USMC – How to Perform at Every Rank, Why Courage Can Be Seen More in Peacetime Than in Combat, and How Listening Is a Powerful Leadership Skill https://tinyurl.com/2p82n924 Listen to Ep 22: 1stSgt Shamus Flynn, USMC – From Motor T Mechanic to MARSOC – What Emerging Leaders Need to Know About Setting the Example, Admin, and Awards http://bit.ly/3Z2UjDj Listen to EP 25: LtGen David Furness, USMC – Rather than Yelling and Hazing, Try Focusing on Leadership Through Building Personal Connections, Rapport, and Culture https://tinyurl.com/ycxksac7 LtGen Greg Newbold Articles The Night of the Generals | Vanity Fair https://bit.ly/4214WHM Third Retired General Wants Rumsfeld Out - The New York Times https://bit.ly/3q1LUE6 What Tempers the Steel of an Infantry Unit https://bit.ly/3MLG2aW What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of...

In this episode of Moments in Leadership, host David B. Armstrong spends time with DUSN Victor Minella, otherwise referred to as “Dozen” where they spend time discussing various topics related to leadership from his enlisted time, his officer time, and finally in civilian leadership inside the Department of the Navy. DUSN Minella covers the importance of leadership in making organizations successful and the differences/similarities in leading civilians and military personnel. DUSN Minella emphasizes leaders should seek to understand their personnel as individuals and not merely names on a chart. He also believes the best organizations are those where everyone is held to the same standard, especially on the ethical side. To make this happen, he stresses the importance of compassion and understanding junior personnel will make mistakes, the important thing is to understand why the mistake happened and ensure the person is still a member of the team. While every leader is responsible for setting the culture and foundation, the episode also covers the need for ethical leadership to ensure personnel Live Their Oath. DUSN Minella says unethical leaders are one of the quickest ways to erode trust in a command and more broadly, citizens’ trust towards the military. The trust of people is firstly forged from competence and leaders must be able to triage and quickly learn. The transition from military to civilian removes the bonafides of the uniform and rolling up one's sleeves and getting involved helps in gaining trust and showing competence in the job. Losing military identity can be overcome by having job satisfaction, so picking the right job, and not just ‘a job’ is vitally important in helping service members make their transition outside the military. DUSN Minella discusses the role of the Senior Executive Service is to be an executive and not specifically to task but to give guidance when needed and support when warranted. Oftentimes being the ‘easy answer’ fails to create teams where initiative becomes a part of the organizational culture. The role of innovation is critical to solving some of the most important issues facing warfighters today. Fostering a culture of mentorship, communication, and innovative ‘maverick’ thought allows an organization to be agile and responsive to the needs of these warfighters. DUSN Minella discusses how being ‘All-In’ is essential for maximizing both individual opportunities and improving National Security. The commitment and the Oath means being ‘All-In’ for the United States. Overall, the episode is an insightful discussion about leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the need for leaders to build relationships with their subordinates. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Be sure to check out the sponsor of this show Fieldseats.com for virtual reviews of great firearms, optics and gear where at the end of the virtual review, they give theitem away to an attendee. Be sure to use CODE: “LETHALMINDS” for 10% off the registration to a virtual review and check out their Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube accounts @filed_seats [Terms and Conditions apply] Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: [ADD REFERENCES AND USE THE LINKS IN SEPARATE DOCUMENT IN GOOGLE DRIVE TITLED DUSN’s Dozens: Live your Oath Be bold be kind Exercise Urgency Always Overprepare Know your audience Be Genuine Be a Storyteller Be Brief Be Gone Be uncomfortable Be a Mentor Always Value Enthusiasm Celebrate Opportunity and Success Marine Corps Training and Education 2030 Turn the Ship Around: A True Story of Turning...

In this episode of Moments in Leadership, host David B. Armstrong invites LtGen Dave Furness back to the show to discuss various topics related to leadership. LtGen Furness covers the importance of leadership in making organizations successful and the difference in the interaction between the lieutenants and the captains. LtGen Furness emphasizes that leaders should be frequent in praising their subordinates and building goodwill, loyalty, and commitment. He believes that the best Marine organizations are those where the collective goes above and beyond what's required and that this is achieved by leaders who care about their people and are passionate about making their journey better. To make this happen, he stresses the importance of mentorship and making time for it, regardless of rank. He emphasizes the obligation of senior leaders to impact as many people as possible and advises leaders to stand up for their beliefs and tell their bosses the necessary information, even if it's not what they want to hear. While every leader is responsible for setting this culture and foundation, the episode also covers the need for senior leadership to operationalize the various lines of effort in the USMC, such as Talent Management, Training, and Education. LtGen Furness suggests that leadership needs to be taught as a personal connection to another human being, and the first step to establishing this relationship is building rapport. He talks about the importance of building a relationship quickly to establish trust. Institutionally, LtGen Furness also discusses the impact of hazing and yelling in military training on the development of young Marines. LtGen Furness argues that theatrical yelling, screaming, and hazing contribute to a culture that teaches Marines that this is the way to lead. Instead, he suggests removing such behaviors and adopting a more professional approach that holds Marines accountable for their actions without resorting to hazing. LtGen Furness has given a 90-minute class to every Basic School company for the last two and a half years. The class covers the role of leaders in making organizations elite and how to lead organizations. Afterward, he stays and answers questions until the lieutenants are tired of asking. He notes that the questions are very informed and cover topics such as strategic policy, force design, and leadership hypothetical questions about scenarios they might face when entering the operational forces. He says that the lieutenants ask better questions than he did at a similar stage in his career. Overall, the episode is an insightful discussion about leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the need for leaders to build relationships with their subordinates. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Be sure to check out the sponsor of this show Fieldseats.com for virtual reviews of great firearms, optics and gear where at the end of the virtual review, they give theitem away to an attendee. Be sure to use CODE: “LETHALMINDS” for 10% off the registration to a virtual review and check out their Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube accounts @filed_seats [Terms and Conditions apply] Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Listen to Ep 13: SgtMaj Don Reynolds, USMC - Officer and Staff NCO Relationships: The Good, the Bad, the Right, and the Wrong Listen to Ep 14: MajGen Dale Alford, USMC - Leadership in Combat at Every Rank He Has Ever Held Listen to Ep 16: LtGen David Furness, USMC - Navigating the Decline in Marine Discipline, Increasing Marine Corps Retention, the “Basic Daily Routine” and Post-Traumatic Winning Listen to Ep...

Col McClam is a career infantry officer and currently the Commanding Officer of The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. Col McClam discusses the acronym "MOAS," which stands for Mentorship, Opportunity, Advocacy, and Sponsorship. This episode is filled with great "Moments in Leadership" that should be heard by every leader, both officer and enlisted, especially by TBS Lieutenants and Midshipmen and Officer Candidates. Embedded in MOAS is the importance of performance and how it is the currency by which every leader is evaluated for future potential in the Marine Corps. He pulls no punches and makes it clear that performing is a contact sport. He discusses the importance of performance because while you cannot always control where you get assigned, you CAN ALWAYS control your performance. He teaches performance is underpinned by two metrics: Relationships and Personal Brand. The key is understanding how to navigate the complex territory of performing consistently on a daily basis while maintaining relationships and demonstrating your personal brand. It is performance in all situations and environments…not just in your PMOS. He feels every officer should be taught this from OCS until retirement. He tells the young officers at TBS not to believe or think they are being left out because of their differences. He knows it's not about changing WHO you are; it is about changing HOW you are in this complex ecosystem called the United States Marine Corps. He believes, accurately, I may add, that we all have to assimilate when we join organizations - it happens at Google, Apple, Amazon, and Waffle House, to name a few. He told me he has changed "how" he is within the Corps and how you may need to do the same. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: https://mil.supercast.com Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Supercast Support: Get Col McClam's Mentor Doc referenced in the episode here: http://bit.ly/3ZzBnfN Listen to Ep 15: LtGen Karsten S. Heckl, USMC - Addressing Force Design 2030, Death in Aviator/Combat Training, and Risk Assessment https://bit.ly/3ckkm5K Listen to Ep 11: LtGen David G. Bellon – Commander MARFORRES, "I almost didn't accept my commission" https://bit.ly/3A45RwL Listen to Ep 22: 1stSgt Shamus Flynn, USMC – From Motor T Mechanic to MARSOC – What Emerging Leaders Need to Know About Setting the Example, Admin, and Awards http://bit.ly/3Z2UjDj Listen to Ep 21: The Hotwash – A Leadership Panel of Six Officers Discuss their Opinions of the Past Episodes http://bit.ly/3xzTkPn What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Why Should You Support this project? I realize all of the leaders who listen to the episodes are at different levels of life, and my goal is to be able to have this project remain free and available to anyone who wants it and your...

This episode is filled with great "Moments in Leadership" with everything from becoming an aviator, transitioning to a new Type/Model/Series of aircraft, to a FAC tour with a ground unit to leading a squadron. This episode is extremely valuable to all the leaders in the aviation community because he shares what it takes to perform and what you can expect from combat operations on the ground and in the air. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: https://mil.supercast.com Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Supercast Support: Phaselineco - Check out this great Veteran Artist and his work here. Pick up some Moments in Leadership merch featuring his artworks and quotes by former guests on the Mission Essential Gear Website (which features a ton of great military veteran artwork and merch). Moments in LEadership Merch is found here and proceeds go towards underwriting the costs of producing the project Listen to Ep 13: SgtMaj Don Reynolds, USMC - Officer and Staff NCO Relationships: The Good, the Bad, the Right, and the Wrong https://bit.ly/39PZXoq Listen to Ep 17: Major Tom Schueman, USMC - "No One Wants to Drink Tea With Me" - Leading in Combat, the Philosophy of Command, and New Book 'Always Faithful' https://bit.ly/3UqkjGd Listen to Ep 16: LtGen David Furness, USMC - Navigating the Decline in Marine Discipline, Increasing Marine Corps Retention, the "Basic Daily Routine" and Post-Traumatic Winning https://bit.ly/3cibePj Listen to Ep 18: Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Troy Black - How to Perform at Every Rank, Why Courage Can Be Seen More in Peacetime Than in Combat, and How Listening Is a Powerful Leadership Skill https://bit.ly/3t2zHxe Listen to Ep 19: MajGen Dale Alford - Advice and Insights From a 37-Year-Long Career in the Marine Corps-A Follow-up to Ep 14 https://bit.ly/3U5zjdq What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Why Should You Support this project? I realize all of the leaders who listen to the episodes are at different levels of life, and my goal is to be able to have this project remain free and available to anyone who wants it and your donations help go towards that. Your donations go towards offsetting my costs of producing high-quality episodes. Additionally, since this is a part-time hobby project for me, I'm forced to outsource a good deal of work to others to maintain a regular publishing schedule. Your donations help offset these costs as well. Check out my Supercast site and see if any level is a good fit for helping: https://bit.ly/3C8g7Ua Connect with Us: Visit our website: https://bit.ly/3SA2XHe Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eO4kTi Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3L5Ogs0 Email us: themiloffice@gmail.com Other Podcasts Interviews with David B. Armstrong Scuttlebutt Podcast EP 38: https://apple.co/3py1Wly Former Action Guys Podcast EP...

1stSgt Shamus Flynn is currently the Inspector Instructor First Sergeant for Weapons Company 1st Bn 23rd Marines in Austin, Texas. Flynn is a prolific user of Social Media and has a considerable following on Instagram, where he shares not only his knowledge but the knowledge of others. What strikes me about him is that he is an early adopter of social media as a leadership tool, and he refuses to cede the space to others who wish to fill it with negativity and misinformation… something the enlisted side of the house, as a whole, is grasping much more quickly than the officers. 1stSgt Flynn understands that we have to meet the people we lead where they are, and right now, that's on social media. This episode is filled with great "Moments in Leadership" with everything from preparing to go to combat to actual performance in battle. We discuss the influential leaders and the impact of losing senior leadership to combat operations. This episode is extremely valuable to all the leaders in the enabling MOS's because he shares what it takes to perform and what you can expect from combat operations as an enabler. Thank you for supporting the project (below) Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: https://mil.supercast.com Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate http://bit.ly/3VyekAv Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Supercast: https://bit.ly/3C8g7Ua Listen to Ep 13: SgtMaj Don Reynolds, USMC - Officer and Staff NCO Relationships: The Good, the Bad, the Right, and the Wrong https://bit.ly/39PZXoq Listen to Ep 17: Major Tom Schueman, USMC - "No One Wants to Drink Tea With Me" - Leading in Combat, the Philosophy of Command, and New Book 'Always Faithful' https://bit.ly/3UqkjGd Listen to Ep 16: LtGen David Furness, USMC - Navigating the Decline in Marine Discipline, Increasing Marine Corps Retention, the "Basic Daily Routine" and Post-Traumatic Winning https://bit.ly/3cibePj Listen to Ep 18: Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Troy Black - How to Perform at Every Rank, Why Courage Can Be Seen More in Peacetime Than in Combat, and How Listening Is a Powerful Leadership Skill https://bit.ly/3t2zHxe Listen to Ep 19: MajGen Dale Alford - Advice and Insights From a 37-Year-Long Career in the Marine Corps-A Follow-up to Ep 14 https://bit.ly/3U5zjdq What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Why Should You Support this project? I realize all of the leaders who listen to the episodes are at different levels of life, and my goal is to be able to have this project remain free and available to anyone who wants it and your donations help go towards that. Your donations go towards offsetting my costs of producing high-quality episodes. Additionally, since this is a part-time hobby project for me, I'm forced to outsource a good deal of work to others to maintain a regular publishing schedule. Your donations help offset these costs as well. Check out my Supercast site...

While the panel had a lot of different interesting conversations, one of the things that stuck out to me was a conversation halfway through where we talked about setting the conditions for efficiency and discovering the friction points that lead to those inefficiencies. One of the recent reviews left about the podcast stated that they were amazed at how much actual connection there was between what the company level officers thought should be happening and what the general officers also thought should be happening… And I agree…leaving the question - what's happening between these two groups of leaders? Like the project and getting value? Maybe you can help support this project on Supercast: https://mil.supercast.com Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: https://bit.ly/3C8g7UaRon Boxall, VADM, US Navyhttps://bit.ly/3ydZ1TWMajGen Dale Alford, USMChttps://bit.ly/3U5zjdqLtGen Karsten S. Heckl, USMChttps://bit.ly/3ckkm5KLtGen David Furness, USMChttps://bit.ly/3cibePjSergeant Major of the Marine Corps Troy Blackhttps://bit.ly/3t2zHxe What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Why Should You Support this Project? I realize all of the leaders who listen to the episodes are at different levels of life and my goal is to be able to have this project remain free and available to anyone who wants it and your donations help go towards that. Your donations go towards offsetting my costs of producing high quality episodes. Additionally, since this is a part-time hobby project for me, I’m forced to outsourcing a good deal of work to others to maintain a regular publishing schedule You donations help offset these costs as well. Check out my Supercast site and see if any level is a good fit for helping: https://bit.ly/3C8g7Ua Connect with Us: Visit our website: https://bit.ly/3SA2XHe Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eO4kTi Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3L5Ogs0 Email us: themiloffice@gmail.com Other Podcasts Interviews with David B. Armstrong Scuttlebutt Podcast EP 38: https://apple.co/3py1Wly Former Action Guys Podcast EP 161: https://apple.co/3d1GVN0 Former Action Guys Podcast EP 141 https://apple.co/3Ppz4GU Former Action Guys Podcast EP 60 https://apple.co/3Pi128c Former Action Guys Podcast EP 54 https://apple.co/3Pi128c About the Host: David B. Armstrong, CFA, is President and Co-Founder of Monument Wealth Management, an independent wealth management firm he started in 2008 in Alexandria, Va. David received his B.A. from the University of South Carolina in Government & International Relations and his MBA at the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business in International Finance. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Navy ROTC program and served on Active Duty in the Marine Corps from 1990-1997 as an Artillery Officer and then received a secondary MOS as a Tank Officer. He re-entered the Selected Marine Corps Reserves in 2003 and served in several billets across the Artillery, Tank, and Light Armored Reconnaissance communities. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in late 2018.

Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr. is a retired US Navy admiral who serves as the chair of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board. While on active duty, Winnefeld served as the ninth vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Listen in to hear valiant leadership stories from his military career, highlighting everything from Naval aviation to commanding Naval war ships. James sheds light on what it’s like to be a young officer leading people who have serious combat experience, the lessons he learned from working with Colin Powell, and why it’s so important for leaders to prioritize care and awareness of others. He talks about his time at the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (Top Gun) and shares his thoughts on the evolution of gender equality in the military. Support this project on Supercast: https://mil.supercast.com Episode Timeline/Key Highlights: [06:53] Introducing Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr. [09:04] Leadership lessons in call signs [11:40] His first experiences with leadership as a Naval aviator [16:54] How do you keep the attention of young members of the military when war ends? [20:11] The importance of intellectual curiosity and creativity in your military profession [23:13] Great leaders and leadership characteristics that James emulated in his career [32:31] Moments that made James the most proud of himself as a leader [37:10] What does an Admiral’s cabin look like? [38:41] The best lesson James learned from his worst leader [49:33] Gender equality in the military & is the Marine Corps getting better for women? [51:20] Preparing for the first time you have to say NO as a leader [55:16] Lessons learned from being a student and instructor at the Top Gun school [1:02:40] How did you early moments in leadership impact your career as an Admiral? [1:05:39] What do young leaders need to do to show they care? [1:15:20] When you go back to a squadron after graduating Top Gun, how does your role as a leader change? [1:21:36] Leadership lessons James used from aviation to command a war ship & Early opportunities and leadership skills young pilots need to focus on [1:32:21] Leadership underway: Great moments in leadership from being a skipper in the Arabian Gulf and an Aircraft Carrier CO [1:46:13] What it’s like to be a 4-star General & James’ powerful advice for emerging leaders [1:54:30] Why James is so passionate about stopping the addiction fatality epidemic & Why he started SAFE Project + About his upcoming book, Sailing Upwind Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Supercast: https://bit.ly/3C8g7Ua SAFE Project: https://bit.ly/3BZBIy0 Listen to The Adrenaline Zone Podcast with Captain Amy Bauernschmidt: https://bit.ly/3SSDF6u Listen to Ep 9 with Ron Boxall, VADM, US Navy: https://bit.ly/3ydZ1TW Captain James A. Winnefeld, USMC Proceedings Article https://bit.ly/3SXXSrv The War Planners Series - 6 Books https://amzn.to/3rvnErm What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Why Should You Support this Project? I realize all of the leaders who listen to the episodes are at different levels of life and my goal is to be able...

Just a few hours before he packed up his home and set off to Georgia to retire, Major General Dale Alford sat down with me to offer his final thoughts on his 37-year-long career in the Marine Corps. Listen in as we discuss some of his most noteworthy lessons learned as well as the key things emerging leaders need to know to be successful in their career. MajGen Alford reflects on the leadership traits and habits he developed throughout his time in the military, the decisions that led to his success (and struggle), and how you can make the most of your leadership role. He shares his thoughts on the worst parts of being a Marine Corps General, how to overcome the constant worry you might feel as a Captain, and the important things you should do before retiring from active duty. Join me in sending off this USMC legend to a happy and hearty retirement! Finally, please consider supporting this project at the new Patreon site at: https://www.patreon.com/momentsinleadership Episode Timeline/Key Highlights: [04:36] Introducing MajGen Dale Alford [06:04] What personality/leadership trait do you have that makes you so admired and respected? [09:21] Advice for leaders who are 1 year away from military retirement. [12:22] Important things you should do before retiring from the military. [14:49] What tours or roles would you have liked to try during your Marine Corps career? [17:57] Advice for Captains who have been put on drill field or recruiting duty. [22:00] Pivotal points in a leader’s career: What leadership decisions lead to success and which lead to struggle? [34:20] The #1 factor considered in Colonels becoming a General Officer. [38:35] The power of mastering your own authority and focusing on your own performance as a Captain. [42:29] The worst parts of being a General. [45:27] What should future military leaders be thinking about very carefully? [47:28] How can we make the Marine Corps reserves more enticing so we don’t keep losing talent? [49:57] How Dale intends to satisfy his call to service after retirement. Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Patreon Account: https://bit.ly/3SBxK6f Listen to Ep 14 with MajGen Dale Alford: https://bit.ly/3U5zjdq Listen to Dale on Controversy & Clarity with Damien O’Connell: https://bit.ly/3QCvwBw What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Connect with Us: Subscribe as a Patreon Supporter: https://www.patreon.com/momentsinleadership Visit our website: https://bit.ly/3SA2XHe Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eO4kTi Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3L5Ogs0 Other Podcasts Interviews with David B. Armstrong Scuttlebutt Podcast EP 38: https://apple.co/3py1Wly Former Action Guys Podcast EP 161: https://apple.co/3d1GVN0 Former Action Guys Podcast EP 141 https://apple.co/3Ppz4GU Former Action Guys Podcast EP 60 https://apple.co/3Pi128c Former Action Guys Podcast EP 54 https://apple.co/3Pi128c About the Host: David B. Armstrong, CFA, is President and Co-Founder of Monument Wealth Management, an independent wealth management firm he started in 2008 in Alexandria, Va. David received his B.A. from the University...

Listen in as we discuss SgtMaj Black's experiences as a young Marine, a new NCO, and in leadership roles as a First Sergeant and a Sergeant Major. Hear him tell the stories of young PFC Black as well as his first experience leading his fellow Lance Corporal peers as a brand new Corporal. Hear about and learn what he did well and what he'd do differently. He sheds light on the importance of the different oaths we take and how they shape our leadership responsibilities. He shares some perspective on taking care of the most junior Marine in order to make sure they have what they need, but how sometimes it's difficult for the Marines to see it happening fast enough. We wrap up discussing how difficult it becomes for leaders to communicate with the junior Marines the higher they get “in the proverbial food chain” but wants everyone know that, that if they feel out of touch with senior leadership, it's not because they desire for it to be that way. This is an incredibly insightful and empowering discussion where leaders from all branches and of all ranks can gain some valuable insight from the senior enlisted leader in the Marine Corps. Please consider supporting this project at the new Patreon site. Your generosity ensures that these valuable discussions remain free and available for the younger leaders who benefit the most from these episodes: https://www.patreon.com/momentsinleadership Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Patreon Account: https://bit.ly/3SBxK6f SgtMaj Dan Reynolds Episode: https://bit.ly/39PZXoq LtGen Dave Furness Episode: https://bit.ly/3cibePj What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Connect with Us: Subscribe as a Patreon Supporter: https://www.patreon.com/momentsinleadership Visit the MIL website: https://www.themiloffice.com Follow MIL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themiloffice Other Podcasts Interviews with David B. Armstrong Former Action Guys Podcast EP 161: https://apple.co/3d1GVN0 Former Action Guys Podcast EP 141: https://apple.co/3Ppz4GU Former Action Guys Podcast EP 60: https://apple.co/3Pi128c Former Action Guys Podcast EP 54: https://apple.co/3Pi128c Scuttlebutt Podcast EP 38: https://apple.co/3py1Wly About the Host: David B. Armstrong, CFA, is President and Co-Founder of Monument Wealth Management, an independent wealth management firm he started in 2008 in Alexandria, Va. David received his B.A. from the University of South Carolina in Government & International Relations and his MBA at the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business in International Finance. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Navy ROTC program and served on Active Duty in the Marine Corps from 1990-1997 as an Artillery Officer and then received a secondary MOS as a Tank Officer. He re-entered the Selected Marine Corps Reserves in 2003 and served in several billets across the Artillery, Tank, and Light Armored Reconnaissance communities. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in late 2018.

Listen in as we discuss his most powerful moments of combat as a young lieutenant platoon commander, ambushed just moments after stepping out of friendly lines on his very first combat patrol. Hear him debrief himself and learn what he did well and what he'd do differently. He sheds light on how leadership is simple but never easy. He explains how he would adopt a more harmonious approach to company command rather than what he describes as a ruthless drive for "results first." We discuss his new book, Always Faithful – A story of war in Afghanistan, the fall of Kabul, and the unshakable bond between a Marine and an interpreter, which becomes available on August 8th, 2022. We wrap up discussing the foundation he created, Patrol Base Abbate, of which I am honored to be a member of the Board of Directors. Patrol Base Abbate is named after Marine Sergeant Matt Abbate, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. Matt became the inspiration behind creating a place where everyone who's raised their hand, swore an oath, and wrote a blank check payable in the amount up to and including their own life, feels like they can rest and refit by re-entering friendly lines. This is an incredibly insightful and empowering discussion that leaders from all branches and of all ages can gain something from. Finally, please consider supporting this project at the new Patreon site at: https://www.patreon.com/momentsinleadership Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: Moments In Leadership Patreon Account: https://bit.ly/3SBxK6f Always Faithful – link to the book on Amazon (non-affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3p25Q60 Major Tom Schueman IG Account: https://bit.ly/3QoMh3f Major Justin Gray IG Account: https://bit.ly/3SxUcgQ Patrol Base Abbate: https://bit.ly/3Qm2XIK Patrol Base Abbate DONATE: https://bit.ly/3Q5ZChl Sgt Matt Abbate Navy Cross Citation: https://bit.ly/3bExaEi SgtMaj Dan Reynolds Episode: https://bit.ly/39PZXoq LtGen Dave Furness Episode: https://bit.ly/3cibePj What is Moments in Leadership? Moments in Leadership is a podcast where you will hear firsthand about the careers of senior military leaders as they share their unique and individual experiences. Moments in Leadership will immerse you in real-life stories where you will learn about the challenging situations these accomplished leaders faced and discover the lessons they learned early in their careers that were the most influential in developing their overall leadership style. Conceptualized by a group of friends who served together as young officers in the early to mid-1990s sitting around a firepit telling funny leadership stories, Moments in Leadership is designed to provide some relatable context to the formal leadership training leaders of all ranks and services receive throughout their military careers through the power of storytelling. Connect with Us: Subscribe as a Patreon Supporter: https://www.patreon.com/momentsinleadership Visit our website: https://www.themiloffice.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themiloffice Other Podcasts Interviews with David B. Armstrong Former Action Guys Podcast EP 161: https://apple.co/3d1GVN0 Former Action Guys Podcast EP 141: https://apple.co/3Ppz4GU Former Action Guys Podcast EP 60: https://apple.co/3Pi128c Former Action Guys Podcast EP 54: https://apple.co/3Pi128c About the Host: David B. Armstrong, CFA, is President and Co-Founder of Monument Wealth Management, an independent wealth management firm he started in 2008 in Alexandria, Va. David received his B.A. from the University of South Carolina in Government & International Relations and his MBA at the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business in International Finance. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Navy ROTC program and served on Active Duty in the Marine Corps from 1990-1997 as an Artillery Officer and then received a secondary MOS as a Tank Officer. He re-entered the Selected...