Leadership Essay

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Jan 9, 2024

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1 Leadership Essay: If You Survive College of Arts and Sciences, Liberty University MISC 401: The Army Officer LTC Kyle Barrett December 5, 2023

2 Leadership Essay: If You Survive If You Survive by George Wilson is an autobiography about his time as a Lieutenant in the United States Army in World War II. The book begins with Wilson's enlistment into the Army in September 1942 through February 1945, when he was injured and sent to the rear (Wilson, 1987). 2LT George Wilson arrived in France a few days after the D-Day landings in June 1944 and was assigned as a platoon leader for E Company of the Twenty-second Infantry Regiment Fourth Infantry Division (Wilson, 1987). After he was assigned, 2LT Wilson and the other arriving officers were given a promise, for which the book is named, from their new Battalion Commander. They were told that if they survived their first battle, they would be promoted (Wilson, 1987). George Wilson demonstrated that he was an exceptional leader to his Company Commander and Battalion Commanders and was entrusted with more and more responsibility. Throughout the various battles and difficult situations he went through, Wilson demonstrated several competencies and attributes of Army Leadership. There are several instances throughout the book that Wilson showcases his outstanding leadership abilities, but a few in particular outshine the rest. 2LT George Wilson was an excellent platoon leader and to lead his platoon well he relied a lot on his intellectual ability, an attribute of an Army leader (Department of the Army, 2012). Wilson displays his intelligence numerous times throughout the book, but two separate events showcase better than others. During a short stint as the Battalion S2, Wilson was ordered to have a German soldier captured for questioning so that they could gather intelligence on the enemy's positions and capabilities (Wilson, 1987). All Wilson had at his disposal was an outdated map of the area in front of their defensive positions. But Wilson began to view the map as if he was the German commander viewing the American defensive positions. With this new perspective,

3 Wilson began to deduce where German outposts most likely were (Wilson, 1987). Wilson was correct in where the enemy was positioned, allowing the American soldiers to surprise the enemy and take several prisoners (Wilson, 1987). Wilson's action of viewing his map as the enemy would, was an example of sound judgment (Department of the Army, 2012). In section 5-2 of ADRP 6-22, it states, "Judgment requires the capacity to assess situations shrewdly and to draw rational conclusions," and that is exactly what Wilson does (Department of the Army, 2012). Another form of intellect that Wilson demonstrated was interpersonal tact. During the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest, one of the most horrific battles of World War II, Wilson found himself attempting to de-escalate a hysterical Private that was emotionally crumbling (Wilson, 1987). A young, brand-new Private jumped into Wilson's foxhole, sobbing and begging to be sent to the rear. It appeared the young man had become hysterical with fear. But 2LT Wilson did not have the manpower to just send him back. Wilson probed the young man with questions, hoping for a topic that the young Private could latch on to. When college sports were suggested, the young man calmed down and talked about his own time playing high school football and winning championships. Wilson related the game of football to what they were doing in the war, that every soldier has a position to play, and they all relied on one another to succeed. The Private had a new perspective and was motivated and went back to his own foxhole (Wilson, 1987). How Wilson handled the situation was a great example of interpersonal tact. Wilson used the Private's background to relate to and used it as a tool to motivate the soldier who desperately needed it (Department of the Army, 2012). Another attribute that 2LT Wilson demonstrates throughout the book is Presence. He specifically shows his resilience due to the fact that he was on the front lines for his first nine months of duty. He never faltered or complained and did what was asked of him to the best of his

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4 abilities. His presence also showed through his in his professional and military bearing. Particularly in his command presence. In one instance, his platoon was ordered to go on a night patrol through enemy territory. As he briefed his men, one by one they began to question him and demand that they not go. Before it got completely out of his control, Wilson took control and wrote, "I stated very firmly in a tone no one could mistake, that I didn't like the orders either, but I had been ordered to lead them on this damned patrol, and that we were all going, like it or not." (Wilson, 1987). He goes on to write that his orders were never questioned again. This kind of command presence is needed in Army leaders, especially in crucial moments like what Wilson had to deal with. The last major example of 2LT Wilson's leadership was his determination to ensure all his men were prepared. The competency that coincides with Wilson in this regard is developing others (Department of the Army, 2012). The best example of this is a situation when Wilson and his company are moved from the front lines to the rear for recovery. They had suffered substantial losses and were no longer combat effective. While in the rear, his company began to receive several replacement soldiers that they desperately needed. However, Wilson quickly discovered that all of the men they received were hopelessly underprepared for combat. The replacements had gone through a two-week basic training. They had only fired their weapons once and had no grenade or machine gun training. Wilson and one of his peers decided to take matters into their own hands and teach all the new men in the company the skills necessary to survive in combat (Wilson, 1987). Wilson saw the need for development in his company and ensured proficiency across the company. Because of his diligence and dedication, his men were well prepared to face the Germans after their time in the rear. Doctrine says that it is the leader's

5 responsibility to make sure their soldiers are proficient, and Wilson demonstrated that in this instance (Department of the Army, 2012). 2LT Wilson demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his time as a platoon leader and eventually a company commander. There are several instances that can be referenced to support this claim, but the examples given in this essay are considered by the author as the most significant examples of what military leadership should look like. Although every Army officer may not encounter the situations that Wilson did, his story should be referenced as a source of how the Army Leadership Requirements Model should be exemplified in their military career.

6 References Department of the Army [DA]. (2012). Army Leadership (ADRP 6-22). https://www.moore.army.mil/mssp/pdf/adrp6_22_new.pdf Wilson, G. D. (1987). If you survive . Ballantine Books.

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