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Schwarzkopf on Leadership:
50th Anniversary of D-Day
Student Handout
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PROGRAM GUEST
GENERAL H. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf led the allied coalition forces in Operation
Desert Storm's successful liberation of Kuwait. He attended the US Military
Academy at West Point and graduated near the top of his class. He served in
Vietnam where, as a battalion commander, he led a panic stricken company
through a mine field to safety. General Schwarzkopf then went on to command
entry level troops and finally became commander in chief of the United States
Central Command. He led 700,000 troops in an assault on Iraqi forces after
Saddam Hussein's army invaded Kuwait. His troops quickly stormed to
victory to end the Persian Gulf War.
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BACKGROUND
In On Leadership, John Gardner states, "...a civilization rises to greatness when
something happens in human minds." Whether it be the mythology of King
Arthur founding the British Empire, or the ideas of the Enlightenment feeding
the American Revolution, it is the enacted vision of human beings that changes
the face of the world.
Leadership is not an individual act that is accomplished through
short term, self-centeredness.
Rather it is a selfless act that ignites the imagination of a
nation. Leadership is not easy, simple or safe. Gardner says it requires
"sustained morale and motivation" as well as the recognition that life is not risk
free. Burt Nanus, author of Visionary Leadership, asserts leadership is taking
meaningful, effective action to create the preferred future.
Our nation develops leaders on many horizons. The U.S. Military Academy at
West Point, for example, has a long tradition of leadership excellence. The
heritage of "the long gray line" and the motto "Duty, Honor, Country"
produced Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, and President Dwight D.
Eisenhower.
General Norman H. Schwarzkopf, also a West Point graduate, is the guest of
the Achievement Television Network production, Schwarzkopf on Leadership.
He shares his perspective on leadership and individual responsibility.
Schwarzkopf says following your dream is not enough; it is necessary to give
back.
THE NORMANDY INVASION
D-Day changed the world. As the tide of battle in World War II began to turn in favor of the Allies, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower had the task of forming the largest invasion fleet in history in order to effect an amphibious landing on the northern coast of France. The Normandy Invasion, also called Operation Overlord, began on June 6, the famous "D-Day" of World War II, was the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France. The battle led to Hitler's downfall.
A huge armada had been assembled for "D-Day," including 1,200 fighting ships, 10,000 planes, 4,126 landing crafts, 804 transport ships, and hundreds of tanks. 156,000 troops (73,000 U.S. and 83,000 British or Canadian) landed in Normandy. The invasion began at dawn on June 6, 1944.
On June 6, 1944, at 3:30 a.m., General Eisenhower gave the order of the day: "Soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: You are about to embark on a great crusade...In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck and let us all beseech the blessing of the Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." With these words, the D-Day invasion began.
The assault troops of the combined Allied armies landed at five beaches along the Normandy coast code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. It was an army of farm boys, storekeepers, teachers, carpenters, and clerks mixed with a cadre of professional soldiers and it defeated the battle-tempered troops of a people with a tragic aptitude and genius for war. The forces landing at "bloody Omaha" encountered stiff German resistance. By night fall, sizable beachheads had been secured on all five landing areas, and the final campaign to defeat Germany was underway. The Allied forces began to fight their way into the heart of France. On August 25, Paris was liberated from Nazi occupation. The Allied army crossed the Rhine into Germany on March 7, 1945. Germany surrendered on May 7, and the war in Europe was over.
THE LEADERSHIP OF DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, SOLDIER-STATESMAN-DIPLOMAT
Dwight D. Eisenhower graduated 61 out of 164 from his class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. This group who finished in 1915 was to later be called "The Class The Stars Fell On," by virtue of the 58 members earning one or more stars by the end of World War II. The cadet from this class who achieved the highest rank was Dwight Eisenhower. In 1939, he was a Lieutenant Colonel, by 1943 he was a four-star General, in 1945 he was the Supreme Commander of the Allied invasion of Europe on "D-Day." Eisenhower was one of four American army generals to achieve the newly created five-star rank of General of the Army.
Allied unity and the ways and means of attaining it, in General Eisenhower's opinion, constituted the principal challenge and lesson of World War II. He faced a demanding task, but he was determined to make the Allied command work. Eisenhower was quick to get rid of anyone who could not cooperate, and his reputation for toughness spread widely. General Eisenhower's success in accomplishing Allied unity was the result of his personality as well as his ability. His charm, honesty, and frankness, backed up by his strength and conviction, thawed the coldest skeptic. He was called by Winston Churchill "probably the most optimistic person in the world, " a refreshing change to the British who had four years of defeat and retreat.
Eisenhower's rapid advancement, after a long Army career spent in relative obscurity, was due not only to his knowledge of military strategy and a talent for organization but also to his ability to persuade, to mediate, and to be agreeable. Troops from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities were impressed by his humility and persistent optimism. The Allied commanders trusted him. It would be unjust to give all the credit to General Eisenhower for accomplishing Allied unity; but it was his responsibility, and it required his leadership.
THE WEST POINT WAY OF LEADERSHIP
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point takes the task of building leaders very seriously. Since its inception in 1802, the Academy has refined a unique system for teaching leadership. At West Point, people are taught character. "Leader of character" is the phrase the Academy uses to describe the kind of leader it wants its cadets to become. A leader of character has all of the qualities we normally associate with leaders -- ambition, confidence, courage, intelligence, eloquence, responsibility, creativity, compassion -- and one thing more which we unfortunately overlook too frequently among civilian leaders: A leader of character is absolutely trustworthy, even in times of great stress, and can be depended upon to put the needs of others above personal considerations, not now and then, or when it will look good on a resume, but in every instance.
The cadet's moral education begins with rules -- with the honor code. When they enter the Academy, cadets receive as their first and most important matter of business this law: "A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do." The language of honor is spoken in this code. It is the bedrock lesson of every other leadership lesson the Academy teaches. It is the linchpin of a value system shared by all Army officers.
The Academy also teaches that life directed by moral guidelines promises deeper, richer satisfactions than a self-serving, self-absorbed life. Cadets are expected to behave morally in all instances. Most people agree that leaders should always do the right -- as opposed to the expedient or the pragmatic or the popular -- thing. West Point asks cadets to do this and then to go one step further and reach for what is called "the harder right." Before a leader makes a decision, she must imagine her range of influence as a circle. "The harder right" is usually the decision that most positively affects the widest possible circle of people. Instincts tell us to do right by those immediately around us -- our friends, family, and immediate colleagues. At West Point, cadets are urged that leaders draw the circle even wider, and take into consideration not just those nearest to them but those in the Army, the community, the nation, the world. It takes years and considerable devotion to do this. It is a continual process of raising one's sights to include more and more.
RESOURCES
Encyclopaedia Britannica
"19 Stars, A Study in Military Character and Leadership" by Edgar F. Puryear, Jr.
"The West Point Way of Leadership" by Col. Larry Donnithorne
FOCUS QUESTIONS
After you watch the program, respond to these questions:
1. How do the ideas of "Duty, Honor, Country" apply to you?_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2. General Schwarzkopf urges that you "follow your dream, plus one." The
"plus one" means that you find a way to give back to society. Name at least
one way you can begin to give back today. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
WORLD LEADERS AND THEIR WORK
In the video, General Schwarzkopf mentions each of the following people.
Research to determine why these individuals are considered leaders.
Albert Schweitzer:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Mother Teresa:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Margaret Thatcher:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Omar Bradley:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ulysses S. Grant:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SURFING THE INTERNET
Try the following Internet sites:
CAREER CORNER
Unlimited leadership opportunities exist for people with a variety of talents,
skills and abilities. Here are some examples:
Air Traffic Controller
Athletic Trainer
Businessperson
City Planner
Coach
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Editor
Family Counselor
Film Director
Fundraiser
Investment Advisor
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Journalist
Principal
Public Relations Director
Symphony Conductor
U. S. Senator
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Pick one that interests you and explore it as a career possibility.
What does the person do on a daily basis?_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
What educational background and work experience are necessary?_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Where is the work done? What are the rewards?_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
You may be surprised by what you find!
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