Norman Shwarzkopf Essay

Even though he was a visionary leader, there was a time in Norman Schwarzkopf’s career where he had been an unethical leader. This was not common throughout his career but for a short period during the Vietnam War era. . During a second tour to Vietnam, he took his first field command, taking over the 1st Battalion of the 6th Infantry. Schwarzkopf had success in just about everything he had done in his career, which led to a decision where lives were lost. In February of 1970, an artillery shell in route to its target collided with a tree shortly after firing. This incident killed two American soldiers by friendly fire. Norman Schwarzkopf gave the order to fire the shell. Focused on the current objective and success of the the war that

This led him to fall into another ethical trap when faced with another situation during Vietnam. In May 1970, Schwarzkopf was travelling in a helicopter and discovered troops of another Company that were stuck a minefield. He noticed that two officers that were wounded and two soldiers were trapped. There was a fear that they could set off more mines if they were to land. Despite that fear, Schwarzkopf directed his helicopter to remove the wounded. When he attempted to assist the troops back out of the field, a soldier hit a landmine instantly breaking a leg and began to panic. Fearing he would set off another landmine, Schwarzkopf immobilized the soldier to the ground while another soldier performed self-aid and buddy care. In doing so, another mine was set off, killing three and wounding Schwarzkopf's artillery officer. The ethical trap of loyaty was evident during this situation. Although loyalty is a very good trait to embrace, when the lives of other individuals are a stake it may be best to consider the outcome versus being loyal. I cannot compare myself to the great accomplishments of Norman Schwarzkopf or the devastation of wrong decisions that were. However, I am aware of who I am as a leader and provide relevance of my career to that of