Leadership lessons for victory

FORT STEWART, Ga. - News commentator, business consultant and former 24th Infantry Division commander retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, best known for the "Left Hook" attack during Operation Desert Storm, spent Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, touring his old stomping grounds of Fort Stewart, Ga., and speaking with 3rd ID senior leaders.

The best-laid plans can fall to pieces if a leader doesn't have the right mindset to accomplish the mission.

This was the impression I received from McCaffrey as I followed him during his visit here, especially at the post's new Army Wellness Center.

The recently opened facility, with services available to soldiers, family members, DoD civilians and retirees, was of keen interest to McCaffrey.

He seemed most impressed not by the wide range of equipment onsite but rather the high caliber of staff on hand to provide training and assistance. By ensuring that the warfighter, families and support staff are prepared for what the future may bring, leaders can plan accordingly for success.

During a professional leader development session held with senior leaders at Club Stewart, McCaffrey spoke about leadership in times of crisis, to an audience which will face significant challenges as the Army transitions into a post-war posture.

When asked about the future of our Army, McCaffrey had this to say, "Now it's going to get back to retraining for the next mission, I'm glad they're (3rd ID Soldiers) home (from Iraq and Afghanistan)."

He went on to explain that it's time to stabilize and make sure that we catch up on our missed training for the officer and noncommissioned officer corps all the while retooling for the next conflict.

"We're going to have time to reconnect with our families, which is vitally important, so it ought to be a period of tremendous building on the combat excellence of the Army out of 11 years at war," he said is closing.