H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. was a child who dreamed of a career in military service.His dad, H. Norman Schwarzkopf Sr., had been to West Point and “served in WWI”, later rising to the rank brigadier general in U.S. Army. General Schwarzkopf, Sr., was stationed in Iran at the end of WWII and continued to “organize, train, and support the national police force”. (achievement.org H Norman Schwarzkopf)
Developing Discipline & Character:
Brigadier General Schwarzkopf Sr. joined his family in Iran in 1946. Norman, Jr., was 12 years old when he attended school in Iran, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. He was a great student and became fluent in French, German, and Spanish.
Developing Competence
Norman, Jr. returned to the United States and attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, just like his father. He “played on West Point’s football team, wrestled and led the chapel choir.” (achievement.org H Norman Schwarzkopf)
A Teacher’s Lesson Lasts A Lifetime:
At West Point, Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., a member of the football team, was taught by Vince Lombardi, Assistant Coach. He called it his “49” “Lombardi Sweep”. This play would become a key part of the Green Bay Packers’ dominance in the NFL, under Lombardi.
Lombardi Sweep: His ’49’:
The young, eager Schwarzkopf became General Schwarzkopf many years later. He was 6’3″ and weighed 240 pounds. His communication style was direct and gruff, and he had an intimidating temper.
His temper and hatred for losing led him to victory in Operation Desert Storm 1991. He was Gen. Colin Powell’s operative on the ground, and he spoke French and German to his coalition partners. (Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf-ABC News)
General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. would recall and use his own version “49 Lombardi Sweep”, during Operation Desert Storm 1991. His younger football skills played a key role in the victory of the United States Coalition at Desert Storm.
Ron Kramer, an ex-Green Bay Packer and All-American football player under Coach Vince Lombardi, “was watching the news regarding Operation Desert Storm” when he saw General Norman Schwarzkopf describing an attack by his forces in Iraq using diagrams and arrows to illustrate the maneuvers.
Kramer, who had been Green Bay’s tight end from 1957 to 1964 squinted at the television screen. He remembered the play. He’d seen the arrows before! Kramer recalled shouting at the TV screen.
“I wrote General Schwarzkopf a letter. I wrote him “49” and informed him that Vince had been plagiarized. He was in Army when Vince was there.
General Schwarzkopf wrote Ron Kramer, stating that he “had played football at West Point” as well as sharing “his memories of the legendary coach”. Related to Lombardi Sweep
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Schwarzkopf’s first assignment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky was as an executive officer of 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He then went to work with the 101st Airborne and the 6th Infantry of West Germany. He was “aide-de-camp” to the Berlin Command in 1960 and 1961. It was a crucial period in the “history of that divided city.” (achievement.org H Norman Schwarzkopf)
Earning Engineering Master’s:
Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. returned to the United States and earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Southern California.
Teaching Engineering at West Point
Schwarzkopf returned to West Point to teach engineering in 1965. Norman’s classmates were among those who had been to Vietnam as advisers to the South Vietnamese army. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. applied for membership in 1965.
Captain Schwarzkopf Jr. was an advisor to South Vietnamese Airborne Division, and was promoted as major.
Returned for Teaching at West Point:
Schwarzkopf returned to West Point after having completed “his tour in Vietnam”.
Lieutenant Colonel & Marriage:
In 1968, Major Schwarzkopf was promoted as lieutenant colonel and married Brenda Holsinger. Later, they had three children.
Schwarzkopf received his training at the Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Colonel Schwarzkopf, “as U.S. casualties grew in Vietnam, was convinced that it was his duty apply his training and experience there to save as many lives as possible.” (achievement.org H Norman Schwarzkopf)
Vietnam’s 1969 Return:
Colonel Schwarzkopf was sent back to Vietnam as a battalion commander.
Ethical behavior: Courage under fire: Vietnam –
On May 28, 1970, General Schwarzkopf, who was a Lieutenant Colonel in Vietnam War, “ordered his helicopter to descend to rescue his troops who’d wandered into a mining field.”
Some were airlifted away, but he stayed with his troops. One soldier fell on a mine and broke his leg. The colonel crawled up the victim to stop him setting off more mines. Troops were also killed in the explosion, but the colonel led them to safety.
Lieutenant Colonel Schwarzkopf was willing and able to sacrifice his life for his men. (Robert McFadden’s New York Times Article)
Barbara Walters interviewed General Norman Schwarzkopf and asked him about leadership.
General Schwarzkopf stated, “It is competence, but more importantly, it is character.” It is taking action. It is doing the right (ethical). “
These are the same qualities that are required for success in business.
Barbara Walters asked General Schwarzkopf, “What would you like on your tombstone?”
General Schwarzkopf stated, “I want it say, He loved his family, he loved His troops, and they loved him.”
What would you like on your tombstone if you were to be asked? What would you answer?
Motivational expert Zig Ziglar says that compassion, love, and empathy are essential ingredients to success. It is crucial to be able to put yourself in another’s shoes. Knowing the feelings of another person will allow you to communicate better and be more effective in your leadership. This was the view of General Schwarzkopf.
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf stated, “There’s nothing wrong in being afraid. True courage isn’t being afraid. True courage is not being afraid. It’s about going forward and doing your job. That’s what courage looks like.