 |
Front & Center - Lessons in Leadership: E-mail Exchange Between the Bradley Professor and an Infantry Lieutenant
06/01/2005
June 2005
|
The following is a copy of an e-mail exchange between Gen. Barry McCaffrey and an infantry lieutenant scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan. This exchange is offered as a follow-up to Gen. McCaffrey’s VIETNAM LETTERS published by ARMY Magazine in 1998.
E-mail to Gen. McCaffrey from an infantry lieutenant:
I apologize for the delay in writing you; I have been meaning to drop you a note to say hello and keep you informed as to what I am doing, as you asked me to last April. Since the last time I saw you, at Fort Benning, Ga., when you spoke to my Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC) class, I went to Airborne School, where I met your son, who was commanding at the time.
After Airborne School I went on to graduate from Ranger School and then moved to Fort Bragg, N.C. I am now a platoon leader in 2nd Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. We are deploying to Afghanistan for a year in April. I am eager and excited, though a year is a long time. Once I return I am going to attempt to go to the Ranger Regiment.
I didn’t want to take up too much of your time, sir. I just wanted to say hello and keep you posted on what I was doing. I am confident and my unit is well trained, but if you have any words of advice for a platoon leader going to combat for the first time, they would be greatly appreciated, as I always enjoy your wisdom.
Thank you again for your time, sir.
Reply e-mail from Gen. McCaffrey:
Thanks for the e-mail. I am very proud to learn of your current command and all you have accomplished. Please stay in touch by e-mail during your deployment.
Will be in Afghanistan in August visiting Maj. Gen. Kamyia ... hope I can see you in the field.
You have finished IOBC. You have completed Ranger School—the most useful preparation for combat possible. You are in a powerful light infantry division. You serve with the absolutely strong and competent NCOs that the Army develops. You grew up in your parents’ home and have their strong values.
Therefore, you will be a strong, courageous and effective combat leader.
Some thoughts:
- Hard work saves lives. Dig, camouflage, rehearse SOPs, study, plan, train between missions.
- Never be surprised. ... OP/LPs ... 3-man point team ... OPSEC ... do aerial recon ... be quiet on the battlefield.
- Safety, safety, safety ... getting soldiers killed or maimed by accident is very painful.
- In contact either shoot, flank and attack, or shoot and withdraw. Always shoot ... get volume fire quickly on the enemy. Practice actions on contact before every mission.
- The most important weapon on the battlefield is arty/mortars ... be prepared to put HE and smoke on possible enemy locations within three minutes. We rarely know where the fire is actually coming from ... arty will let you move without casualties on the battlefield.
- You are not authorized to get yourself killed or wounded early in a firefight. THINK, issue an order, get fire on the enemy ... THEN move to the point of greatest danger and lead.
- Lead by example ... always personally do what you learned in training even when exhausted, frozen or confused. Get up first, eat last, get on the first chopper into the LZ, get on the last out ... be a servant to your soldiers.
- Always be positive in front of your soldiers ... they are stronger than steel.
- Never take an unnecessary chance ... use deception, massed violence and speed when you choose to act.
- You and your soldiers must get two hours sleep every night ... get 90 minutes sleep midday. Drink lots of water. Shave every day. Eat two meals every day.
- Remember your honor ... don’t do anything you won’t feel proud telling your Dad when you get home. Treat EPWs under your control, civilians and, in particular, women with dignity. Don’t take anything out of Afghanistan the Army didn’t issue you.
- Pray.
Thanks for having the courage and dedication to America to step forward and protect us. Because you and your soldiers will fight in Afghanistan, we will be safer here at home.You are going to be one great combat leader.
Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, USA Ret.
GEN. BARRY R. McCAFFREY, USA Ret., is Olin-Bradley Distinguished Professor of International Security Studies at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. He served as commander in chief, U.S. Southern Command, and as commanding general of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. He also served in Vietnam. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and holds a master’s degree from American University. |
|