11-23-2023
The Best That You Can Be
It’s true that you can’t undo a first impression and it’s vitally important in military leadership. During my 22+ military career I had many examples to emulate and some I clearly didn’t.
Early on there was Staff Sergeant Schultz, my 1st platoon sergeant, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, basic training platoon at Fort Lewis, Washington. I don’t remember much interaction with our drill instructors unless it was being corrected for violating army rules or regulations.
During my first duty station after training I was assigned to the 2nd platoon, 569th Transportation Company at Camp Khon Kaen, Thailand (68-70) and my platoon sergeant was Sergeant & later Staff Sergeant Jerry Neinhouse. My fondest memories of him was after hours sitting outside the NCO barracks, sitting on a backwards chair reading and rereading a technical manual on preventive maintenance checks and services. Other times he’d be conducting motor stables or going with us on convoys to a number of bases where we delivered military cargo. Was he perfect, not by a long shot, but to me he was what a platoon sergeant was supposed to be.
I never had many close dealings with officers, unless you count Captain Durazzo, Company Commander, of the 569th who one time instead of returning a salute outdoors, waved instead, but next time when I waved instead of saluting, gave me an awful dressing down.
Then there was First Lieutenant Steve Koons who was a hand’s on platoon leader. He taught me that no matter how one is addressed by a senior officer, their first name is Sir (Yes Sir, No Sir). It was not unusual to be in the lub pit changing differential oil and getting a helping hand from LT Koons, or getting help developing film in the unit’s makeshift photo lab. On one occasion while on convoy I got in a bit of trouble and upon returning to base had to face the company commander. When I got to the orderly room, LT Koons was acting company commander. He made sure I learned a valuable lesson and sent me on my way. Was he perfect, nope! We crossed paths after then Lieutenant Colonel Koons assumed his battalion command and he was still the same leader I remembered. He is now a retired Colonel, and retired from a second career in the Senior Executive Service, where he had been the SES of Logistics (a 1 star billet). Today I count him as my friend. When I think of what a leader is, he automatically comes to mind.
I’ve had platoon sergeants, platoon leaders and company commanders from whom I learned a great deal. I spent half of my career as a platoon sergeant, where caring for my troops and getting the mission accomplished were of the utmost importance. I never asked or demanded of others what I wouldn’t do myself. Was I perfect, not by a long shot! In fact trying to play catchup (teach myself) have caused my NCOs to mistake my actions as undermining their ability to perform their duties.
I found out the hard way that leadership at the higher company level becomes competitive and sometimes leads to jealousy, manipulation, back biting, control or outright hatred which is the complete opposite of effective leadership. Sometimes a senior leader will ask for input which they then attempt to use against you.
There is a distinction between being the best and being the best that you can be. Quite often the bar of being the best is stacked so high that it becomes unattainable. So what do you do? Give up and go home or dust yourself off and keep on trucking!
I tend to follow a biblical principle of “do unto others what you want them to do unto you”, instead of “do unto others before they do it unto you”.
I call having integrity as doing the right thing in spite of what others do. – RTM
I was not yet 30 years of age when I wrote this poem:
Professionals
WE ARE PROFESSIONALS
You and I
We are the experts in our chosen fields
We are senior to few,
Junior to most
And equal to many, but
WE ARE PROFESSIONALS
Our jobs are the toughest, most demanding, yet the most satisfying.
Though our triumphs few, and defeats many over the years,
we have not lost our sense of pride,
WE ARE PROFESSIONALS
The years have demanded our best,
And we have not failed.
The hours are long, the pay is little,
Yet the satisfaction we receive amounts to a great deal more
WE ARE PROFESSIONALS
Written by: Staff Sergeant Joseph J. Wilson, Jr. December 20, 1978
(After completing a 3 year tour in the Panama Canal Zone, & stationed at Fort Carson, CO.)
The Real Truckmaster 