There Is No Substitute For Leadership

August 16, 2009 — I just finished reading an article in the online edition of the Austin American-Statesman about the Post Commander at Fort Hood, Texas. His name is Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch. In reading this article I thought about what it takes to be a good, solid, effective leader. It became obvious to me that this is one Army general that cares very much about his soldiers and their families. He took command at Fort Hood a little over a year ago and at a time more soldiers at Fort Hood were being lost in accidents and suicides then there were in Iraq/Afghanistan. He has worked hard to turn that around and with the help of his wife is getting the job done. This link http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/08/16/0816general.html
provides access to this rather lengthy article, but it is well worth it if you want to understand what it takes to be a leader.

During my 22+ years in the Navy I served under many commanding officers. Some were aloof and disconnected from the people they commanded, some tried and had some success in being a good leader, and one in particular was like Lt. Gen. Lynch. Navy CDR. Dennis Graff was absolutely the best naval officer I ever had the privilege to serve under. He was the C.O. of
VP-47 for one year in 1976-77. I was in his flight crew and one of his Chief Petty Officers. CDR. Graff was not the type of C.O. that sat in his office secluded from the people in his squadron. On an almost daily basis you could see him on the hanger deck or in the shops talking with his sailors. He truly cared about us all. He was also an excellent pilot. He did not get to fly with us often because of other demands on him as C.O., but when the chips were down or a particular mission was very sensitive and potentially dangerous, he was in the left seat in the cockpit leading us on. I learned much by his example. On the day when he relinquished command of the squadron to his X.O., in a tradition rich Change of Command ceremony, he took the time to go through the ranks of all the Chiefs and the enlisted personnel and shook each of our hands. That was something like close to 300 handshakes. I had tears in my eyes and the thought of it today brings those tears back...it's what really matters!