The Courage to Take Command: Leadership Lessons from a Military Trailblazer

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REINVENTION

I have had to reinvent myself several times in my life. The first time was when I left active duty in 1981 and entered the U.S. Army Reserve and the civilian world. Three things had happened in West Berlin that convinced me that it was time to leave active duty. As my tenure as commander was coming to an end, I learned that one of the commanding generals was looking for a general’s aide-de-camp. I knew that being a successful general’s aide would give me exposure with high-ranking officers, would expose me to strategic planning, and could advance my career, so I went to the office to apply for the position. The present aide told me that only graduates of West Point could apply. I explained that I had joined the Army only as West ...