Lecture series promotes leader development

FORT SILL, Okla. -- The General Franks Lecture Series continued Dec. 2 as current and future Army leaders listened to the wisdom of a fellow artilleryman at Kerwin Auditorium in Snow Hall.

Retired Lt. Gen. Dennis Cavin, a career air defense artillery officer, served in both short-range and high-altitude ADA units during his 34 years of Army service.

"The best days of my life are when I'm on Army posts talking to Soldiers," said the general, who also spoke to Basic Combat Training Soldiers. "I spent an hour and a half with basic trainees, and it was a pleasure to talk to young men and women who volunteered to join the Army; I learned a lot from those young people."

Cavin is the senior Lockheed Martin executive in Huntsville, Ala., and has directed more than $5.5 billion in defense-related sales growth.

Army introduction

Cavin said Army ROTC units first caught his interest, that the uniforms, marching and discipline appealed to him and encouraged him to join, this despite holding a bachelor's degree in agriculture.

"What did that have to do with being in the Army? Nothing. I was just like many of you who have backgrounds unrelated to what you're doing today and what you will do for your nation over the next few years," he said.

And yet, Cavin, the young lieutenant, found himself responsible for more property and people than 90 percent of his peers who went to work for major corporations.

"The Soldiers I led didn't go home at night, but stayed focused on what it takes to be Soldiers," he said.

Cavin said his 34 years of service amounted to a great life with memories about what it meant to selflessly serve, something he said Soldiers won't find anywhere else in any other profession.

Mentors

The retired general touched on the value of mentors in his personal and professional development. Early in his career, Cavin had the opportunity to ask a general how a young captain could become a general. The general replied it starts with being a good captain.

"Be a good captain and the rewards and awards will follow," he said. "Do what Army asks you to do, better than anyone else and the right things will happen."

He spoke of how he later applied that principle when he was posted to a particular battery with a history of poor performance. Cavin requested another unit but was denied. So instead, he did his best at the job the Army gave him, and that year his battery won best in battalion.

"It wasn't anything I did, but it was the lieutenants and NCOs who learned and realized they could be better than they ever thought they could be," he said.

Three little words

The general said in unfamiliar situations or areas outside of their expertise all Soldiers should never be afraid of three little words: I don't know. He said those who swallow their pride and admit their lack of knowledge will gain it.

"Afterward you will either learn whatever it was you didn't know, or you will be put into a situation where you will learn it," he said.

See, be seen

Drawing on words shared by former Gen. Omar Bradley, Cavin advised junior officers and NCOs to remember the value of getting out into their units and seeing their Soldiers in every day life. In barracks, dining halls and the activities they are involved in, young leaders who are more engaged with those they lead will learn of their Soldiers' strengths, weaknesses and capabilities. Conversely they will be seen, by Soldiers, as one who is caring and loyal to those they lead.

Drawing from his years of service, Cavin recalled a sergeant who was his best squad leader, but also someone who was 60 pounds overweight. With the Soldier standing before him, Cavin had the forms in hand to remove the NCO from military service for failure to meet standards. Instead, he chose to motivate the Soldier to change, to tell him how the Army needed Soldiers like him.

That NCO turned his life around and retired from the Army. Cavin said the Soldier retired a "lean, mean fighting machine."

He said Soldiers like the individual above are worth the personal time leaders sometimes have to devote, to mentor and motivate them. He reminded all in attendance to take an interest in their Soldiers, guide them and care for them.

Cavin closed speaking of challenges and said everyone has more potential than most believe of themselves. He said he grew up on a dairy farm and was evidently destined for that life, but someone challenged him to make more of himself. His result was "a wonderful life and Army career filled with many outstanding people.

"Go challenge others and yourself, too," he said. "All of you can become whatever it is you aspire to."

The lecture series honors senior military, government and civic leaders whose national service, achievements and character stand as examples to emerging military leaders. Sponsored by the Fires Center of Excellence, the lecture series engages junior military officers and senior noncommissioned officers with perspectives on national security issues.