Ray Odierno: The Commander in Iraq Is Leaving His Mark
General Odierno is one of America's Best Leaders because he has led troops through harm's way
Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, grew up among veterans. His father served in the Army in Hawaii during World War II, and his father-in-law (whose daughter was Odierno's high school sweetheart) served in the Navy on D-Day. "They talked about what that meant to them," he says. "And they did it without any fanfare."
As Odierno, 55, began studying at West Point, two historical figures soon stood out. Ulysses S. Grant "was doubted many times during the Civil War," Odierno says. "But he thought that what he was doing was the right thing." Odierno has reflected on that lesson often in Iraq. "Not everyone has agreed with what we were trying to do," he says.
Odierno has also scrutinized the career of George Marshall. "He understood fighting" as well as politics. "Those qualities were something I wanted." In Iraq, he applies them. "The military solution cannot solve our problems," he says. "It must be a civil-military solution."
Previous bosses also left their mark. Lt. Gen. Paul Funk and Gen. Leon LaPorte "taught me how you act as a general officer." Gen. Eric Shinseki set an example for "compassion for soldiers and for standing up for what you believe is right." From his young soldiers, he has learned that "if you empower them, they will accomplish an awful lot."
One of these young leaders was Odierno's son Anthony, who lost his left arm in Iraq in 2004. "His determination and his love for his soldiers have been an inspiration to me," Odierno says. So, too, has Linda, his wife of 33 years. "She has done every level of volunteerism possible—and has made me a more caring person."
Reader Comments
Perspective from the ranks
As a young SSG in the U.S. Army, I had the privlege and unknown honor to serve under General Odierno as my battalion commander. He led that BN like it was own family. His leadership enforced those below him to become strong leaders and thus carrying his trait on to the lower enlisted Soldiers. I again had the honor to serve not directly, but under his command while I was in Iraq 2007-2008. I have taken what his leadership instilled in me and used that to train the Soldiers that work with me because they want to, not for me because they have to. There are many types of leadership and if you first of all earn their respect and show them how to also be leaders you learn that trust and dedication becomes one, going both ways of the chain. General Odierno is a Soldiers General and I congratulate him on his achievements that I has earned. Proud to have had to opportunity to have been part of his Leadship.
Perspective from within
I am not that of an officer but that of an enlisted man that has served in Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan and now Iraq. Through twenty years of service have meet many leaders and Commanders, some good and some bad with many in varying degrees in between. The clear differences of General Odierno are amazing to me still. General Odieno's Leadership award not only stems from being the Commanding General but also stems from his previous tours; all as a leader of service members, not only form the US but from abroad as well. There is not one General, that I can think of, who was not doubted or second guessed or scrutinized during there campaigns. Yet the outcome rests solely on their decisions and the outcome of Iraq and the bilateral partnership between the US and Iraq has rested on his shoulders on many occasions through several tours. His leadership has pushed for a Country that will stand on its own and of a people who may now prosper as a democratic Islamic state. Through the many nights left without sleep, filled with thoughts of those trying to help instill a peaceful nation, not our soil but theirs, he has pondered and pressed on with what he knew was the right thing to do. President Wilson and Gen George C. Marshall are both men who sought these same qualities for notations beyond ours. Makes me believe they gave the Nobel Peace prize to the wrong guy. I would gladly and proudly serve under him again.
Odierno
Having been in Iraq numerous times since 2004 - I cannot let this one pass. General Odierno is a hothead. One of his predecessors, General Casey, had the worst job as a Commander of military forces in Iraq and he was the calmest voice and best commander I have seen since my service in Vietnam. Casey's job was equal to Reconstruction in the US after the Civil War. General Casey had the temperament that was necessary to minimize casualties after Ambassador Bremer had laid the groundwork for secular violence. He was a true leader. As a retired Army officer, I applaud General Odierno's history of military service, (my family has dead in graves in the Philippines, my father was on deisel subs in the north Atlantic, and I left many of my friends who were never recovered after two tours in Vietnam), but he needs to listen more and think about what he is going to do before he acts. I disagree with his leadership award.
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