Posted on Nov 22, 2017
When you think about your military career, who among all those who made you who you are today, had the biggest impact on you?
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Posted 7 y ago
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COL Charles Williams My former Commander John P Edwards (RET) Colonel when I was stationed in Chievres AFB 1977 to 1980 as an E-5 had the biggest impact on me and my career. After spending 9 years enlisted and reaching the grade of SSG/E-6 MAJ Edwards at the time was the biggest influence, mentor, and coach that motivated me to go to OCS and get my commission. After that I sought his guidance up to LTC and Battalion Command. Then I called him when I got promoted to COL and thanked him for his inspiration! That is MAJ Edwards on the reenlisting me for another three years at SHAPE Headquarters, Belgium!
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Reflecting on 34 years in serving the various uniforms of the US Army makes it challenging to determine who made the biggest impact on me COL Charles Williams.
Hands down I expect my father had the greatest impact since he imparted a strong work ethic, a love for learning and a respect for each and every other person independent of race, ethnic background, creed, etc.
In the military I served under great leaders including Wayne Downing, R.S. Siegfried, Mitch Stevenson and so many more. I also learned much from the NCOs and soldiers I served with and led over the decades. Here is an image of my dad, Bernard John Ford, who died on October 10, 1995. This image and the others are from an alcove in his honor at the University of Pennsylvania.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey SPC Margaret Higgins SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Hands down I expect my father had the greatest impact since he imparted a strong work ethic, a love for learning and a respect for each and every other person independent of race, ethnic background, creed, etc.
In the military I served under great leaders including Wayne Downing, R.S. Siegfried, Mitch Stevenson and so many more. I also learned much from the NCOs and soldiers I served with and led over the decades. Here is an image of my dad, Bernard John Ford, who died on October 10, 1995. This image and the others are from an alcove in his honor at the University of Pennsylvania.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey SPC Margaret Higgins SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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LTC Wayne Brandon
LTC Stephen F. - The Col. Richard Siegfried I met in the '80's was a Staff Officer at Benning who promoted the Light I.D. concept - 'Never Attack From the Front'
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia regarding the Light Infantry concept:
Col. Richard S. Siegfried, a staff officer at Fort Benning who has worked out tactical concepts for the light division, said that a principle would be, ''Never attack from the front.'' He said light divisions, with their lack of firepower, would be trained to fight in bad weather, at night, in fog and around the sides and rear of an enemy.
Further, he said, a light division will not have the firepower for forced entry or fighting its way into a hostile area. If that was necessary, the 82d Airborne or a Marine Corps amphibious force would be required.
if Your R.S. Siegfried is the same as the man I met, (and it would seem they are on in the same) you had one terrific mentor!
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia regarding the Light Infantry concept:
Col. Richard S. Siegfried, a staff officer at Fort Benning who has worked out tactical concepts for the light division, said that a principle would be, ''Never attack from the front.'' He said light divisions, with their lack of firepower, would be trained to fight in bad weather, at night, in fog and around the sides and rear of an enemy.
Further, he said, a light division will not have the firepower for forced entry or fighting its way into a hostile area. If that was necessary, the 82d Airborne or a Marine Corps amphibious force would be required.
if Your R.S. Siegfried is the same as the man I met, (and it would seem they are on in the same) you had one terrific mentor!
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Wayne Brandon - yes that Col. Richard S. Siegfried is who I am talking about. He and his wife Maggie had a son who was killed in Columbus in the late the 1980s. That devastated them especially Maggie.
Here is a summary of his career through 1994:
Siegfried, Richard Stephen was born on October 4, 1938 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, United States. Son of Robert Bernard and Mary Elizabeth (Hooker) Siegfried.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, University Alabama, 1971.
Career: Enlisted United States Army, 1961, advanced through grades to major general, 1992. Senior operations officer Office Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, 1982, assistant deputy director operations, 1982-1983, chief operations division, 1983-1984. Commander light infantry task force United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, 1984-1985.
Commander 2d infantry training board United States Army, 1985-1987, Commander infantry training center, 1987-1988. Assistant division Commander 5th Infantry Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana, 1988-1989. Commanding general 4th Reserve Officers Training Corps Region, Fort Lewis, Washington, 1989-1991.
Commanding general 4th Reserve Officers Training Corps training center/Fort Jackson United States Army, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, 1991-1994, deputy, inspector general, since 1994.
He retired to Midlands, SC
"Retired Maj. Gen. Steve Siegfried decided quickly after taking charge at the fort in the early 1990s that the Midlands offered the lifestyle he wanted when his career ended. Siegfried was commanding general from December 1991 until March 1994.
The attractions included moderate winters, proximity to beaches and mountains, University of South Carolina games within the Southeastern Conference, and access to military health care, he said. So he purchased a site on Lake Murray in the Chapin area that that had been a vacation getaway.
“It’s an absolute blessing to be here,” said Siegfried, 78.
He stays busy as a lay Episcopal minister, distributing bread at a food pantry, and helping to lead the Honor Flight group’s efforts to transport retired veterans to monuments to Washington.
With his wife, Maggie, he spearheaded the creation of a garden at Chapin Town Hall that is an oasis for parents who, like them, are coping with the death of a child.
Those roles developed after he served as state homeland security director in the early 2000s."
http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article113739369.html
FYI Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio SPC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
Here is a summary of his career through 1994:
Siegfried, Richard Stephen was born on October 4, 1938 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, United States. Son of Robert Bernard and Mary Elizabeth (Hooker) Siegfried.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, University Alabama, 1971.
Career: Enlisted United States Army, 1961, advanced through grades to major general, 1992. Senior operations officer Office Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, 1982, assistant deputy director operations, 1982-1983, chief operations division, 1983-1984. Commander light infantry task force United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, 1984-1985.
Commander 2d infantry training board United States Army, 1985-1987, Commander infantry training center, 1987-1988. Assistant division Commander 5th Infantry Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana, 1988-1989. Commanding general 4th Reserve Officers Training Corps Region, Fort Lewis, Washington, 1989-1991.
Commanding general 4th Reserve Officers Training Corps training center/Fort Jackson United States Army, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, 1991-1994, deputy, inspector general, since 1994.
He retired to Midlands, SC
"Retired Maj. Gen. Steve Siegfried decided quickly after taking charge at the fort in the early 1990s that the Midlands offered the lifestyle he wanted when his career ended. Siegfried was commanding general from December 1991 until March 1994.
The attractions included moderate winters, proximity to beaches and mountains, University of South Carolina games within the Southeastern Conference, and access to military health care, he said. So he purchased a site on Lake Murray in the Chapin area that that had been a vacation getaway.
“It’s an absolute blessing to be here,” said Siegfried, 78.
He stays busy as a lay Episcopal minister, distributing bread at a food pantry, and helping to lead the Honor Flight group’s efforts to transport retired veterans to monuments to Washington.
With his wife, Maggie, he spearheaded the creation of a garden at Chapin Town Hall that is an oasis for parents who, like them, are coping with the death of a child.
Those roles developed after he served as state homeland security director in the early 2000s."
http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article113739369.html
FYI Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio SPC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
Some ex-Fort Jackson commanders settle in Midlands after service
Some former commanders of Fort Jackson continue to influence the Midlands after military service, returning as civilians active in civic causes while championing its mission of training soldiers.
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LTC Wayne Brandon
LTC Stephen F. - Thanks for the additional information. I lost track of him in '86 when I left the training division for the 5032d USARF School. Seems I have a vague recollection of the loss of his son but am unaware of the circumstances.
I have great respect for him and would like to meet him again just to say hello.
Since my Daughter lives in Charleston, that would not be out of the way and it seems he would be easy to locate.
Have a great Thanksgiving, my brother.
I have great respect for him and would like to meet him again just to say hello.
Since my Daughter lives in Charleston, that would not be out of the way and it seems he would be easy to locate.
Have a great Thanksgiving, my brother.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Wayne Brandon - Happy Thanksgiving to you and each member of your family as well, my friend and brother-in-Christ.
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COL Charles Williams My father was a Captain in the Air Force and gave his life for our country. I was seven, but the time I had with my father had a big impact. I was fortunate to have outstanding leaders during the four years that I served.
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