Followership and Leadership of General Schwarzkopf
Introduction General Norman Schwarzkopf had a long lasting career in the United States Army as a follower and a leader. Schwarzkopf’s Army career began with experiencing the Vietnam War, Cold War and eventually commanding the US Central Command (CENTCOM) during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. His ability as a follower and leader influenced multiple layers of personnel in executing military operations, and fostering affiliations amongst the military leadership in the fog of war. This paper will focus on followership and leadership of General Schwarzkopf successful Army career particular that of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
General Schwarzkopf’s Military Career
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Army was taught in Tehran, Geneva and Frankfurt beforehand to his appointment in West Point to endure a mechanical engineering degree (Martin & Naval War College, 1998). Schwarzkopf was commissioned to the grade of Second Lieutenant upon completion of West Point and an ordered to Berlin in1960 which commenced his prosperous profession in the Army (Martin & Naval War College, 1998). During Vietnam he finished two tours and served as an adviser along side South Vietnamese paratroopers and ultimately a battalion commander (Martin & Naval War College, 1998). General Schwarzkopf’s flourishing accomplishment was for his leadership as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) during the
The movie “Twelve O’ Clock High” is a case study in the application of leadership theory during World War Two. Gregory Peck portrays Brigadier General Savage, a United States Army Air Force officer thrust into a situation that requires a maximum effort both on the ground and in the air as he attempts to re-invigorate an undisciplined, anxiety ridden, and ineffective combat unit. Throughout the movie we observe Peck’s character employing a variety of leadership methods, but ultimately discovering that true combat effectiveness and cohesion is accomplished through a
Mission command is a philosophy and a war fighting function that supports the army’s operation concept, unified land operation. It involves the exercise of the commander’s authority and direction to enable discipline within the commander’s intent. In war, armies are required to seize, retain and gain an advantage over their enemies. Thus, mission command is vital in achieving these initiatives since the commander integrates the principles of mission fighting by applying the art of command and its supportive science of control. General Robert Lee, a Confederate Commander during the American Civil War, is famed for his mission command abilities as evidenced by his success in the Battle of Chancellorsville against a stronger and numerically advantaged
In early January 2002, American intelligence received evidence of a large volume of enemy forces assembling in the Shahi Kot Valley in Eastern Afghanistan. Central Command (CENTCOM), led by General Tommy R. Franks, was directing combat operations in Afghanistan through the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) and Coalition Forces Air Component Command (CFACC). As the interest in assaulting the Shahi Kot Valley amplified, General Franks reached a conclusion that a U.S. tactical commander was a need in Afghanistan. The decision was to assign the 10th Mountain Division Commander, Major General (MG) Franklin Hagenbeck, as the tactical commander. In an effort to strengthen MG Hagenbeck’s command authority, CENTCOM named his headquarters Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) Mountain and gave it command and control authority over Operation Anaconda. By having command and control authority, MG Hagenbeck would encounter challenges with the command structure. The challenges of command structure were due to CJTF Mountain not having tactical control (TACON) of multiple Special Operation Forces, the Joint Special Operations Air Component (JSOAC), and friendly Afghanistan forces. These misunderstandings were resolved during the execution phase, but rectifying the command relationships prior would have avoided lost time and resources needed on enemy forces and positions. In this paper, I will identify the challenges of command structure during Operation Anaconda.
The purpose of this paper is to address how I, SSG Schumacher, have identified Major Robert Rogers as a legacy leader and a leader of influence in my military career as a non-commissioned officer and member of the military intelligence community. This paper will cover three main topics in which I will first discuss a brief history of the life of Major Rogers. Then, his impact on the evolution of warfare and leadership attributes on the United States Army. Finally, I will discuss how his leadership attributes led to him making an impact on the military today and Soldiers such as myself.
Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer is a very influential novel in the military. In fact, it is required reading material for all 1st Lieutenants in the Marine Corps as well as in the United States Military Academy at West Point. Many Army leaders have read the book and often discuss it among themselves in social situations. Although a fiction read, many leaders extrapolate the use of mission command as well as the leaderships attributes. In this analysis I will be comparing a single event in the novel to the Army’s leadership principles as well as Mission Command. I will then provide a personal reflection and conclude.
The Vietnam War was coming to an end and the soldiers were back to their families, who’s had been waiting and praying stateside for their safe return. But that didn’t mean complacency for Schwarzkopf he continued to rise up the ranks taking on more responsibilities with each promotion. He received his first star in the 70’s and would successfully lead troops during the invasion of Grenada in 1983. Five more time would pass and General Schwarzkopf would finally receive his fourth star in 1988. He was assigned as the commander of the Central Command. While Schwarzkopf was commanding the
Norman Schwarzkopf was born on August 22nd, 1934 in Trenton New Jersey. He graduated from West Point and fought in Vietnam War in 1983. Norman Schwarzkopf was nicknamed “Stormin’ Norman and was known for his fiery temper and his strategic mind. Schwarzkopf grew up with 2 older sisters named Ruth Ann and Sally. His was father was Colonel H, Norman Schwarzkopf who ended up serving in World War 1 and founded the New Jersey State Police. His father also worked on the famous 1932 kidnapping case of Charles Lindbergh son and then served in World War II. Schwarzkopf later want to school in Geneva, Switzerland and soon attended Valley Forge Military Academy. The military academy was at West Point where he played football and wrestled and was a
When Halstead was given this mission in Iraq, she never anticipated the challenge she would soon face. She had one year to plan her operation, train and certify her units for deployments and after months of painstaking preparation and training, Halstead was confident her soldiers and unit were ready to be certified for deployment. However, certification had to be issued by her superior, a three-star general recently back from Iraq—and the most challenging boss Halstead had ever encountered in all of her years of services.
In any mission, the Commander is the most imperative participant. He or she guides the mission to the intended outcome. It is through the commander’s activities that the directed outcome is achieved. Through successful understanding, visualizing, describing, directing, leading and assessing the commanders of Soldiers are able to accomplish the directed mission and thus winning wars. Throughout the role of commander in the Battle of Hamburger Hill, Lieutenant Colonel Weldon Honeycutt attempted the complete these commander’s activities. (ADRP 5-0) The successes and failures of mission command he had, will be explained, giving a better understanding of the Battle of Hamburger Hill and the pivotal turning point in the Vietnam war.
This paper on Leadership will compare the primary differences and characteristics between the tactical leader and the organizational leader. I will provide you with the basics for development, characteristics, and the fundamentals that help guide and influence each leader’s style and how they influence Soldiers to follow them. Leaders at all levels demonstrate their values, knowledge, skills, and abilities in many different means and methods in
There are a number of significant difficulties for today’s military - the Global War on Terrorism or what has recently been termed the “Long War;” weapon system acquisitions and personnel draw downs. The focus of this paper is on one strategic component of the military quest—Leadership. More specifically, it will center on servant leadership and its impact on the military’s vision.
Leadership, according to the Army doctrine, represents individuals’ ability to influence people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization (“Leadership” FM 6-22). However, the varying characteristics of individuals that the Army attracts may instill this doctrine in many different ways, leading to different representations of leadership. Some individuals choose to lead their subordinate in a stern matter, only displaying matured emotions and a “tough-loving” attitude to guide them in the right direction. Others
Mission command belongs to the Army’s list of seven war fighting functions. While the other six of the Army’s war fighting functions specifically align to the application of combat power, mission command applies to leadership and its application. Mission command redefines the old construct of C2, command and control, by morphing the ideology into two distinct thoughts, the art of command and the science of control. Although mission command is a relatively new concept, it’s principles and application transcend time. This paper examines General Robert E. Lee’s application of the mission command principles at the Battle of Gettysburg.
I have chosen to write about my old Battalion Commander, Brigadier General(BG) Peter Jones. The then Lieutenant Colonel(LTC) Jones oversaw my Infantry Battalion when I deployed to Ramadi, Iraq. He displayed numerous attributes that I model my military career from; he had an unwavering presence and strong intellect. His competence was also the highest that I have ever encountered in my military career; he was a lead from the front type of leader and strove to achieve nothing but success whilst keeping the soldiers in his command in the front of his mind. I have set my standards of leadership off BG Jones and that is why he is my personal leader of influence. I will outline some examples of him throughout this paper.
Four years after the unit was formed, the SS was put in the hands of Heinrich Himmler, a racist extremist who was a very good friend of Hitler. The years of his management were a big time of change for the group, since it increased from 300 members to 50000. Each member had to have Aryan characteristics (tall, blonde hair and blue eyes), physical perfection and racial purity. Their symbol consisted of two Ss in the shape of lightning bolts with skulls and silver daggers around them. This made the members feel superior to the average Storm Troopers of the SA (Sturmabteilung) to which they were inferior to in the first place.