FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 16 2016) -- Described by many as a leader by example and empowering his subordinates, Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning commanding general, will relinquish command March 18 in Marshall Auditorium to Brig. Gen. Eric Wesley.
Miller, whose next assignment has yet to be announced, took command of the MCoE in July 2014. During his tenure here, Miller demanded excellence but set the conditions for the MCoE to achieve it, said Don Sando, deputy to the commanding general.
Miller outlined four qualities that the MCoE needed to focus on to produce professional warfighters. The training courses and the Soldiers need to be smart, fast, lethal and precise.
Smart means being able to routinely generate situational understanding before, during and after Soldiers and formations are employed so that they can take prudent risks and make wise decisions in order to win. Fast refers to the ability to physically and cognitively outmaneuver adversaries. Lethal means effectively using weapons and tactics such as combined arms, air-ground operations and joint fires to defeat enemies. And precise means applying purposeful combat power in order to win while negating disproportionate collateral damage.
Miller conducted quarterly azimuth checks to ensure the priorities were met and encouraged command teams demonstrate their professionalism through actions.
"(Miller) embodies leadership by example," said Col. Richard Timmons, commander of the 198th Infantry Brigade. "He's a commander that is results based who doesn't get overcome or bogged down in the inertia. His out front leadership style, focus, energy and empowering of subordinates has made a lasting impact on training and generations of maneuver leaders and Soldiers."
Timmons continued by saying the general's physical dominance and emphasis on physical fitness as a lifestyle made every leader and Soldier within the MCoE better and reinforced his mantra that for leaders there can be no "do-say gap."
Main Post's Peden Field, Downy Mile and Bryant Wells Field House for combatives training all saw an uptick in use because of his example. Col. William Thigpen, commander of 316th Cavalry Brigade, said Miller's approach to the Army was people first, physical dominance and mission always.
During the 2014 Maneuver Warfighter Conference, Miller discussed an issue many leaders in the operational Army expressed concerns about - marksmanship. In order to make "every bullet count," the MCoE started the Marksmanship Master Trainers Course to provide NCOs with the knowledge and skill sets necessary to return to their units ready to teach and certify Soldiers in marksmanship.
Col. Geoffrey Norman, G3 for the MCoE, said incoming data shows an increase in marksmanship scores.
With this program, the expectation is to see Soldiers who are masters of their weapons systems, Norman said.
Miller used the grounds of Riverside, the commanding general's home, to set up a round robin of events for MCoE leaders to experience the training their Soldiers go through, including firing techniques led by the Army Marksmanship Unit, enhanced first responder medical training including the Combat Lifesaver Course through the Medical Simulation Training Center and how Robotic Human Type Targets - autonomous targets - can provide a more challenging training scenario.
Miller told the command teams when he walks around Fort Benning, he sees training opportunities, such as using the old Martin Army hospital as an urban warfare training facility as it awaits demolition. He encouraged trainers to "put time back on the clock" by training multiple skills in one training event.
Col. Dave Fivecoat, commander of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, said Miller had an incredible impact on the brigade over the last two years, listing these examples: Miller completed a half-dozen Ranger Physical Assessments, which consist of 49 pushups, 59 situps and 5 mile run in 40 minutes and six chin ups.
"Leading by example, he encouraged all the Ranger instructors to lead by example as well as decreasing the do-say gap," Fivecoat said.
During the Ranger Course Assessment, Miller provided leadership, mentoring and coaching to the first class with both male and female students, while ensuring the Ranger standards were maintained, Fivecoat said.
Miller oversaw the establishment of an aeromedevac coverage for both Fort Benning and the Mountain Phase of the Ranger Course at Dahlonega, Georgia, Fivecoat continued. He helped lead Fort Benning's and the Army's transition to the T-11 parachute. And he helped all members of ARTB to be in the best shape possible.
Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Metheny, MCoE and Fort Benning's senior NCO, said the commanding general has influenced the maneuver force and the Army.
"Maj. Gen. Miller is the epitome of a servant leader. He leads by personal example whether it be physical training, mentoring future platoon leaders, company, battalion and brigade commanders or working with NCOs to improve marksmanship and maneuver principles," Metheny said.
"He is a man of character who focuses his mission command philosophy of leadership to empower the staff, directorates and subordinate commanders to seize initiative and innovate their (programs of instruction) to improve the operational force," Metheny continued. "He takes a personal interest in those with whom he interacts with daily; Soldiers, DA civilians, Family members and community partners and always follows up with solutions to their issues. ... His contributions to the maneuver force and our Army are immeasurable."
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