Who was your Favorite Battalion Commander and/or Mentor? Why?

SPC Terry Martin — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 08:48:50 -0400

Response by SPC Terry Martin made Jun 1 at 2016 9:02 AM

SPC Terry Martin — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 09:02:20 -0400

Samuel D. Whitfield, Captain at the time, but promoted to Major after I left Pirmasens, Germany. Major Whitfield had been written up in the Overseas Weekly and Stars & Stripes as the "Toughest Battalion Commander in USAREUR. I worked directly under him as his Clerk handling Article 15, Court Marshals, Orders, all separations from the Service, etc. When his Driver was off, I was his Driver. He was the inspiration for me to go into Law Enforcement.

Response by SSG William Jones made Jun 1 at 2016 9:04 AM

SSG William Jones — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 09:04:39 -0400

I'll go you one better... my favorite division commander was MG Lindsay M. Freeman. He is a personal friend from a neighboring town. He came to see me when I returned from Desert Storm. Great story but too long to post.

Response by SP6 Heather Chaney made Jun 1 at 2016 9:15 AM

SP6 Heather Chaney — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 09:15:41 -0400

LTC Jeanblanc is to date one of the best BN CMD I have come across in my 12 years of service. He was the BN CMD of the 108th STB on our deployment to Kuwait in '14. I wish I could be half the Soldier he is, or at least be looked at like people look at him. He has a stern face and at first appears unapproachable. The truth is, he is a fair and deep man. Still waters don't do this man justice.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 9:35 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 09:35:18 -0400

LTC Russell Reiter. The former Commander of the 172nd MMB. While he was the commander, he was cool, easily approachable, funny, and a no bullsh*tter and didn't take any bullsh*t.

Response by SGT David T. made Jun 1 at 2016 9:37 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 09:37:12 -0400

LTC (now MG) Paul Hurley. He was an amazing commander. He would talk to Soldiers and ask them what the issues in the Battalion were and then act on that. He also kept his promise not to leave anyone on the side of the road when we convoyed from Kuwait to Baghdad.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jun 1 at 2016 9:41 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 09:41:29 -0400

When I was a 2nd Lieutenant my mentor was Lt Col Ernie Liddle, my Flight Commander. He was a Mustang officer as well, long time physical therapist, and encouraged and allowed me to spread my wings as an officer and physical therapist. His support allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and opened assignments not usually available for junior officers. I will always be eternally grateful to Lt Col Liddle.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 10:07 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 10:07:29 -0400

LTC (now selected for COL) Keith Pruitt, Squadron CDR for 1-1 CAV from 2012-2014. LTC(P) Pruitt is one of those leaders who inspires his men and officers to the point that we would gladly follow him anywhere. Best mentor was MAJ (Ret.) Matt Savoie. He always took the time to teach his subordinates and equip us to succeed.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jun 1 at 2016 10:17 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 10:17:50 -0400

LTC David Patraeus, 3/187 Inf, 101st Abn (Air Assault). 91-93. Along with CSM Donald Purdy, they together built the most disciplined and well trained unit I ever served in. I knew I was in for something different when I reported in Dec 1991 and the sign hanging under the big red Torii in front of the Bn HQ read "IRON RAKKASANS, NOT FOR THE WEAK OR FAINT HEARTED", and under that read "MARCH OR DIE". Standards were everything, there was no question. Dude survived a gunshot wound to the chest on a live fire range and maxed the push-ups only months later. Not the most NCO friendly Bn Cdr I ever had, especially if you weren't tabbed, but he did push the unit to be the best and failure or sub-standard performance was never acceptable. You learn to appreciate that.

Response by 1LT Tom Welch made Jun 1 at 2016 10:22 AM

1LT Tom Welch — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 10:22:11 -0400

Col. David Hunt, a magician in the field, a soldiers officer in garrison, all around inspiring leader, if he had said we had a mission, we knew without asking to a man that he would bring us through, we loved the guy, Samurai sword and all.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 1 at 2016 10:45 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 10:45:48 -0400

I served as CSM for four Battalion Commanders and got along well with and respected all. Each had their own strong points, but my favorite was LTC John Boule'. LTC Boule' had the perfect mix of mission and training focus. The guy was always out front and if we needed something to make life better, improve survivability or get the job done, he fought tooth and nail for the Troops. When you hear leader; the picture you see in your mind, well that's him.
My military mentors were SSG Richard Faulk, 1SG Alfonso Lee, and CSM Big Anthony Weems. Of these I have no favorite because they were all great.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 1:04 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 13:04:05 -0400

CPT "Wild Bill" Valentine...my first CO on the 'SuperGator'. The gentleman went from E-1 to command, with a stop by Canoe U to see what they knew.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 1 at 2016 1:54 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 13:54:10 -0400

My Favorite Skippers were Rocket Scientist, Engineers with Degrees out the Asshole but treated me as an Expert and treated me with Great Respect. RADM Dixon, LCDR J.D. Campbell, LCDR Jesse, Capt Margie Turner. For his Wonderful Sense of Humor it would have been Capt Burrows and for his Bearing would Capt Thomas Keithly.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2016 9:32 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:32:51 -0400

My platoon commander in the corps 1LT McDanials. He was a mission first people always leader. I was surprised he was always concerned with my opinion as the acting Plt Sgt.

Response by COL Jonathan Cohen made Jun 2 at 2016 12:19 PM

COL Jonathan Cohen — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 12:19:58 -0400

My favorite Battalion Commander was my first Battalion Commander....LTFC Roy Gortney. He was a "tell it like it is" no nonsense commander who showed me that you can be yourself and be brutally honest and have a career. I used his example as a role model and it served me well for 28 years!

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jun 16 at 2016 5:51 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:51:40 -0400

Only one. It's been 38 years and I remember him like yesterday. Finance major who was a "Sailor" to his profession, a gentle man with quick wit and razor sharp fangs for those who tried to Bravo Sierra him. What a fine man and sailor of the seas.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 11:20 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 11:20:04 -0400

I have so many. But just a short list....

CTTCS Jeremy Byrd. Not only was he smart as a whip when it came to our rate but he was also a very understanding person. He never yelled but did reprimand when necessary. He also wanted to include junior sailors into conversations that revolved around missions and Navy-based stuff. He also understood what it's like to have kids while you serve. He also had a sense of humor and humility; when he was wrong he will say he is. He was like a big brother for me, making sure that I had things to accomplish, set me up for success and he called me "his right hand" when things needed to get done.

CTTCM Alyssa Lavers. This woman has opened my eyes to many different things. Not only was she my detailer and got my orders to CCSG-12, but she PCS to the Theodore Roosevelt when I embarked as EW LCPO. I got to watch her teach her junior sailors of how to work within the EW Mod and how to conduct work to be effective and was always mission ready. Even having an issue with personal things, even if she wasn't able to provide any assistance she still listened to you rant or just get something off of your chest. I've seen her go from a Chief to a Senior and less than 3 years to a Master Chief. Incredible person both in and out of the military.

ETCS James Malone. Knowing that I am a seasoned sailor, he allowed me to do what I needed to do. He has always been impressed with how a AD sailor was able to transition to Reserve so quickly and take the bull by the horns, so to speak. He compliments my work ethic, never has any issues with me and is always available. He's also concerned for my personal being as well. He makes sure to check in on me, ask me how things are going. He also tries his best for his sailors. Even if we weren't able to strive for what the goal was, we can go over what was wrong, how to go about it the next time. He's also willing to compensate as well; always wants info from his junior sailors as to make something better, easier, stronger.

I surround myself with people like this because when I was just a SN, I was without direction; just coasting by with the minimal. These 3 persons (they aren't alone because there are more). I decided to change before I went to my first command out of A-school. Put my head down, and always did more than expected. I've earned several leaders, both enlisted and officer, their trust in knowing that I can get something done. It's also very interesting to hear from others that "you'll make a great Chief someday." To have a senior enlisted say that to you instills a great honor and I take that with me everyday.

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Jan 24 at 2018 5:14 PM

COL Dana Hampton — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:14:40 -0500

Without a doubt my most important and powerful mentor as a battalion commander was/is MG(R) Robert A. Harris. After I had transitioned off active duty into the Reserves, I was seeking a job with an Artillery unit in the TNARNG. The TNARNG was over strength at the time and finding a vacancy for a young FA captain was challenging. I finally secured an interview with the incoming commander of the 1-115 FA, then LTC Harris. During the interview, LTC Harris was very honest with me, telling me that if he brought me on board, it would likely block the promotion of a deserving first lieutenant promotable. I offered to him an option as a compromise. I said, "Let me drill with you for 6-months for points only, give me any job you want me to do and I'll do it. If I fail, we part ways and no harm no foul. If, on the other hand, I do a good job for you, you offer me a slot in your battalion." LTC Harris accepted and challenged me with bringing the BN FDC up to speed on the IFSAS and getting a new safety test written and administered across the battalion. The short of it, in 4-months I was formally slotted as the BN FDO. Less than a year later I was given a firing battery command and I eventually was privileged to command that same battalion (though by then it was re-flagged as the Regimental Fires Squadron, 278 ACR).

Through it all, LTC Harris never compromised on standards and expected (demanded) the best from me, but never once micromanaged. He engendered respect and he was a leader you never wanted to hear him say, "you let me down." Never once do I remember him raising his voice in anger or frustration, but when he spoke, no one interrupted and everyone paid attention.

As a result of his professionalism, MG (R) Robert A. Harris has been a professional mentor of mine since 1997.

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Aug 1 at 2020 10:41 AM

1LT Voyle Smith — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 10:41:24 -0400

That's easy. That was LTC Guadeloupe Martinez, CO of the 13th Psyop Bn at Ft Bragg in 1967. Hard nosed, no BS guy. First saw me through a window as I was walking up the sidewalk to his HQ and watched when I dropped a troop for push-ups because the kid failed to salute me. Greeted me at the door, stuck out his hand & said "Lt Smith! Welcome to my battalion! Come into my office & tell me about yourself while I get us some coffee!" It was like I could do no wrong. He put me in his S2 shop as an intel analyst and three months later made me his S2. Gave me a chance during an Operational Readiness Test to demonstrate my leadership & subject matter skills, which exposed me to the Group CO, an O-6. The next thing I knew, I was the Group S-2 while still a second balloon. LTC Martinez made that possible. God bless him!