“Leadership is the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization”: ADRP 6-22.
Lieutenant General Michael X. Garrett, commander of United States Army Central, recently spent a day with leaders from 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Garrett’s visit focused on the principles and tenants of leadership, and reinforcing the importance of the current role that the Army plays on the world stage.
His day began with a 3-mile battalion run after first formation. During the run, the formation stopped by the Rakkasan Memorial to pay homage to Rakkasans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.
Once back at the battalion footprint, he and the Soldiers of 1-187th Inf. Regt. conducted Rak Fit physical fitness drills to round off the physical training session that included deadlifts, kettlebell swings, squats and box jumps.
Later that morning, Soldiers who had distinguished themselves during both the brigade and battalion field training exercises a few weeks prior were recognized during an award ceremony. Garrett pinned awards on several Soldiers and spoke briefly about determination, perseverance and personal courage.
“Receiving my first Army Achievement Medal from Lt. Gen. Garret was quite an honor,” said 2nd Lt. Callahan Kinard, a medical platoon leader with Headquarters Company, 1-187th Inf. Regt.
In the afternoon, Garrett conducted a leader’s professional development session at Cole Park Commons. The audience included leaders – noncommissioned and commissioned officers – from 1-187th Inf. Regt.
He began the session speaking about his background. Garrett, a “military brat,” who was raised by a career Soldier and divisional command sergeant major at the height of his career in the late 1980s.
Garrett added some levity about the lessons he learned from his father, who often talked about his disdain for second lieutenants before going on to highlight lessons of leader responsibility and accountability.
He went on to discuss how important these lessons were in shaping who Garrett would become as an officer.
“It was a privilege to hear the general speak,” said 2nd Lt. Adam Odle, the assistant intelligence officer with 1-187th Inf. Regt. “The general told us how his father, a sergeant major, shaped his mindset and it made me realize how grateful I am for the foundations my Family laid before me.”
Garrett was on a mission to gather data about the conventional Army to find out why, where and how changes needed to be made to keep the force as fit, smart, and ready as possible, he said. He emphasized the importance of honest Soldier feedback from all levels.
“Don’t be afraid to email me” Garrett said, “When I get good things, I pass them on to Command Sgt. Maj. [Daniel] Dailey. Some of the most important changes I’ve dealt with have been through emails from junior enlisted.”
When it was time for questions, members of the audience spoke about the issues they believe the Army faces, including shortened timelines that deny them the ability to properly train their Soldiers, a lack of new Soldiers coming to the units and the need to shift from unit-focused training to individual Soldier tasks.
“[Lieutenant] General Garrett’s visit provided a great deal of insight on how to prepare ourselves and our formations for the next fight,” said 1st Lt. Timothy Wofford, Headquarters Co., 1-187th Inf. Regt. “He provided explanations of how we operate as an Army and we all benefitted from that.”
Garrett concluded his hourlong session, and his day, speaking about leadership. Mastering the basics of your job, fitness and discipline are essential elements of a successful unit, he said.
“Hypocrites are my biggest pet peeve,” Garrett said. “You must demand the same from yourself as you do from your Soldiers.”