[June 9, 2020] Learning to be a good leader can be difficult. The time with others training, studying, and working in leadership roles helps that process; or so I’ve been told. In 1983, I was a new U.S. Army Second Lieutenant attending the Infantry Officer Basic Course. At the end of a particularly grueling three-week phase of mechanized infantry training, we stopped long enough to have my first cup of coffee in as many days.
We had learned that being a leader can be fraught with obstacles; going without coffee was an unexpected, difficult obstacle. “Anyone can go without coffee,” we thought. Many laughed and said we could do anything for three weeks, “It’s just time.” Little did I know that all of us would get dull headaches, withdrawal from caffeine. With daily temperature highs in the 90s and humidity hovering around 100%, magnifying a headache.
We learned that leadership meant having some technical knowledge, a mix of positive and creative thinking, physical resilience, and intelligence. More than anything else, we learned to appreciate the fact that to lead others – as we would do later during combat – a leader must inspire, motivate, and lead through example.
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, French writer, poet, journalist
The most important thing for a leader is to never, ever lose the ability to inspire others so that other folks can be great in whatever they do. A leader who does not inspire will not be a leader for long. We had this drummed into our heads every day. At the end of each day, as we prepared to sleep (with 50% security provided by our fellow officers), we discussed that day’s lessons.
On day 21, I was sitting next to an old Armored Personnel Carrier, thinking what tomorrow would bring, when another lieutenant – his name was Jack – brought me a cup of hot coffee. It was the best cup of coffee I ever had and have ever had since. I thought so at the time. Where did he get such a great cup of coffee? My friend had mixed water, instant coffee, non-dairy creamer, and raw sugar from our C-rations and heated it over burning C-4 explosive.
I’m sure today if I had that cup of coffee, I would throw it down the sink. But at the time, it was the best coffee anyone could have given me. Jack was trying to say thanks for me inspiring him during the training. Teamwork works! And to this day, I remember that coffee, with some dust and a few small twigs swirling around in the cup, and yet it is forever my best Cup of Joe … ever!
Yesterday, while reading Gen. Satterfield’s post, I forgot to mention that I had a very similar experience when training to be an Infantry officer in the US Army. We had gone for about 4 weeks on MREs only (lots of calories but we burned them anyway) and accumulated the most hated beef jerk MREs. We saved them and gave them to one of the other lieutenants we hated the most. We were jerks but it was funny to see him only eat the beet jerk MRE for several days. Now he enjoys more variety.
Good one, Army Cpt
I don’t like tea and have no friends that like tea … well, except for the weird lady next door who always complains that my lawnmower is too loud. Coffee is the drink for me. And, yes, I too get a headache when I don’t have my “morning joe.”
Got my morning “JOE” and my dog who loves me. What else could make the day better?
General Satterfield, thanks for making my day. I love coffee too but I never was in a situation that required me to like instant coffee, yuck.
Life is about suffering but we learn to make the best of it and we can have a very fulfilling life, with family-friends-coworkers, etc. Obstacles are everywhere and that is what impedes our way but also they make us stronger (which most overlook the good for having obstacles).
The military has an obstacle course for a reason. It doesn’t just test your strength but your desire to get thru it.
Good point, obstacles are more about the mental aspect than the physical (altho that is important). Thanks for your service to our nation.
Hi Army Captain, I’m sure you’ve been through a lot of these obstacle courses. I hope you had fun with them. Many don’t and cannot get through them just like many cannot adjust to life. I see some of them on tv complaining about how poorly they were treated. Oh, cry me a river. I was in the Vietnam War and enemy soldiers were trying to kill me and my buddies. Now, that’s being treated “unfairly.” Ha Ha Ha Ha
LOL, thanks Scotty for a dose of reality.
I was sitting outside a restaurant I typically go to each morning for breakfast and a drink. But haven’t been there in a while, finally things are starting to open back up. Interestingly, there was a peaceful demonstration (mostly young, white, liberal-minded folks) marching by. One of the threw a rock at us. Why? I guess we are just priviledged to have the time to drink coffee and chat. Cops arrested him right away and the rest just kept going (where? I don’t know).
This is the problem anytime you have demonstrations of young people – regardless of race – but if it involves the young (read that as inexperienced, easily believing in any propaganda), they tend to allow their emotions to get the best of themselves. Good for them to spend some time in jail. That tones down the stupidity.
Sad story, GIl. Shows how many of our young people do not understand the concept of respect.
‘No coffee, what a sin’ as my grandmother would say. Break out the guns, we’re going huntin for some Joe. I found your piece today to be very satisfying like a cup of Maxwell House coffee. ?
It was a bit tongue and cheek, wasn’t it. Thanks Eddie. Haven’t heard from you in a few weeks. I hope you’ve been well with all the crazy stuff going on around the world, but esp. in the US.
What, no coffee. That’s a sin.
You made my day with that comment, Tracey.
You got that right.
Ha Ha, I’ll bet it was great after the long, hot days of summer and no coffee at all.
A cup of Joe is the best. Just go a day without coffee and you will get an experience that is very unpleasant and then drink a cup. It will be great.