I do not consider myself a very impressionable person. At my age I do not have anyone that I look up to anymore, but as a young man I can think of a few that have been an influence in my life. Most were people I knew and were in leadership positions to me, but one I never met or knew personally. His name was Gary Gordon. Many people are familiar with the movie “Black Hawk Down” and the very real events that occurred during that operation on which that movie is based. Gary was one of the Special Forces Soldiers serving as a Sniper Team Leader under the United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. Gary Gordon’s story has influenced me by showing me what selflessness, courage, and inspiring others really means. In 1993 members of the 75th Ranger Regiment and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta (SFOD-D) or “Delta Force” were tasked with capturing Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a dangerous warlord. Without rehashing the entire “Black Hawk Down” movie, the operation went south. Two of the transport helicopters were shot down by Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). Gary was providing over watch with his teammate, Randall Shugart, at the time of the …show more content…
Upon reaching the downed helicopter, Gordon and Shugart pulled the crew from the wreckage. Among them was pilot Michael Durant, who was severely injured with a broken leg and spinal injury. The two snipers defended the crew from wave after wave of attackers. Eventually, running extremely low on ammo, Gordon was fatally wounded. Shugart handed Gordon’s weapon to Durant, now the only remaining crew member, and said “good luck”. Down to his pistol, Shugart was killed shortly after, and Durant was taken prisoner only to be released to the International Committee of the Red Cross eleven days
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
Some famous and notable Eagle Scout are, Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, General Ford the 38th president, and Mick Rowe from Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel. I personally look up to all three of them, but I specifically look up to Mike Rowe, because of his promotion to the working class. But you don’t have to be famous to be looked up to. Many other scouts looked up to me for advice when doing their projects. I am greatly honored by this.
Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart were both providing sniper support from another Black Hawk when they witnessed the second Black Hawk crash. Knowing that the crew of the second Black Hawk wouldn’t get any support for a long time, they requested to be deployed near the crash site to form a perimeter. There was a crowd of around a thousand angry Somalians and militia approaching the crash site. They knew the risk, but still requested to be deployed. They were deployed from the Black Hawk and made their way to the second crash site. Once they got there, they moved the only surviving crew member, Mike Durant, out of the crashed Black Hawk and into a small, half destroyed stone hut to protect them from behind. Both MS Gordon and SFC Shughart valiantly defended the crash site, but were eventually killed by the surrounding mob of a thousand armed people. Since Mike Durant couldn’t move on his own, he watched from his stone hut the Somalians pass the bodies of SFC Shughart and MS Gordon around the top of the cheering crowd. After a few minutes, some of the Somalians noticed Mike Durant and charged at him. The Somalians then started punching and kicking Durant
In one of the highest grossing films, American Sniper, directed by Clint Eastwood, told the story of Chris Kyle, who was pronounced the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history. Kyle was depicted as a war hero and showed magnificent up-bring to what he sees through the scope. His journey holds astonishing memories and real stories on how the sniper came to be. Unfortunately, being a historic figure is not all it’s made out to be. The positive outtake on American Sniper brought Kyle’s remarkable service to his country into the hearts of many.
Mark was placed in SEAL Team 5. After that Mark was Immediately sent off to Iraq to attempt to clear out terrorist threats. This was Mark's first mission and he was ready to finally be a part of the fight. When Mark and his team arrived at their objective the went in and stormed the house Mark and his team had to clear the rooms. Mark's team was able to capture an Iraqi Air Force Officer who was hiding out in the house. Mark and his team was only halfway complete with their mission that was only the First Floor, Mark and his team still had to clear the second floor. As mark approached the stairs a terrorist began unleashing rounds of AK-47 bullets. The barrage only lasted so long and the terrorist ran out of ammo attempting to hide. Once Mark and his team got to the second floor all they found was an AK-47 lying on a bed. Mark couldn't figure out where the terrorist had gone at first but Just as they were about to give up mark spotted the terrorist tucked in a windowsill with a piece of furniture for cover. Mark Busted the terrorists lip with the butt of his M4 knocking the terrorist to the floor. Mark and his team safely made it out of the house with 2 prisoners. It turned out the the terrorist was the Iraqi Air Force Officers son.
My Legacy Leader is LTC Brian A. Coppersmith, USA, Ret. LTC Coppersmith exemplified Army leadership from his character, presence, and intellect to his ability to lead, develop and achieve. LTC Coppersmith’s leadership ability directly affected me as a Human Intelligence Collection Sergeant operating under his command in garrison pre-deployment, and while deployed forward to Iraq. The example that LTC Coppersmith set for me is the foundation that I have used to guide each of my actions on as a leader. It is my hope that I will be able to positively influence and inspire at least one Soldier in the same manner that LTC Coppersmith inspired and influenced me.
Christopher Scott Kyle ‘American Sniper’ was an all American hero to so many people. Born on April 08, 1974, in Odessa, Texas to Deby Lynn and Wayne Kenneth Kyle(Burling #15). Joining the Navy in 1999 would soon set Chris on his path of destiny. Chris married his wife Taya Kyle in the mountains of Nevada in 2002.(biography.com) Chris soon returned to his duties after his wedding, by shipping out to Kuwait in 2002.(biography.com) By the end of his military career Chris had at least 160 confirmed kills by the Pentagon’s count.(biography.com However, by Chris’s own count—and the accounts of his Navy SEAL teammates—the number was closer to twice that amount.(Biography.com) In Chris’s four tours of duty in Iraq, Kyle earned two Silver Stars and
One of the more exemplary leaders that we have studied so far would be General Hal Moore. Constantly putting himself before others and ensuring that everyone take care of each other made him an icon for the perfect leader. The most prominent example occurred when he and his men were called to duty. Moore delivered a speech to his men
The purpose of this paper is to describe the attributes and competencies of my leader of influence, MSG Anthony Good, and what type of leader legacy I would like to leave behind. I define an Army leader as someone who inspires and influences others to accomplish goals. MSG Good has played a pivotal role in the development of other Soldiers and my own leadership philosophy. He has demonstrated, through actions and words, his values and wisdom. I want to emulate those values and attain that wisdom in my military career. He exemplifies the leader attributes and competencies: character, presence, intellect, leads, develops, and achieves (Headquarters, Department of the Army, 2012). As a Soldier and leader, the attributes and competencies in MSG Good that inspire me the most are his character and
The most influential person in my life is my dad. I always go to him for advice. In sixth grade he predicted that I would not have the same friends by the end of high school, and sure enough after freshman year that came true. He helped me to learn how to not define myself solely by soccer. He helped me cope with the defeat of rejection letters. And the most important piece of advice that I would like to pass on to all of you is to ask questions.
The film Black Hawk Down takes place on October 3, 1993 when United States Special Forces were sent into Somali to deliver food and destabilize their government. Flying in black hawk helicopters to put boots on the ground is when the mission when terribly wrong. The Somalis shot down two of the helicopters immediately. One hundred U.S. Army Rangers, commanded by their captain were dropped off in the capital city of Mogadishu by a black hawk helicopter to capture two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord. Eighteen American Soldiers lost their lives and more than seventy were wounded. Somali casualties are estimated between fifteen hundred and three thousand, including civilians. The Somali National Alliance (SNA) claims 315 dead, with 812 wounded (cite). Days later, President Bill Clinton pulled out the troops. The Somali warlords didn’t care about their people, all they wanted to do was protect their
There are several very important people that have had a dramatic impact on the way I am. Easily one of the top role models is my grandfather John Lincoln. He has always been here for me no matter what the circumstance or distance between us. I do not know where i would be physically and emotionally if I wasn't affiliated with him
Someone I consider to be an influential leader in today’s world is Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen
“Leaders are made, they are not born.” Through the turbulence of the first World War, many leaders rose from the ranks of average citizens. One Medal of Honor Recipient exemplifies this quote to its fullest. Sergeant Alvin York and he experienced numerous leadership challenges throughout his military career. This analysis evaluates the techniques used by himself or others to handle his issues with discipline, the Army Values, and ability to lead others.
I think the most influential people in my life are my parents. They are always there when I need them and sometimes when I think that I don't. They have taught me the value of honesty. I feel that they are the soul reason why I turned out the way I did. I don't drink or do drugs because they have taught me they are wrong and unhealthy. I was taught to respect my self as well as others.