Photo By Spc. Shameka Edwards | Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, United States Central Command, speaks with Staff...... read more read more
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Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command, met with 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Soldiers and civilians to discuss the topic of leadership during a visit to the Mountain Post, Nov 5.
Petraeus held a briefing with Army and Department of Defense leaders at the 4th Inf. Div. Headquarters building before accompanying Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, for a commander's luncheon at the James R. Wolf Dining Facility.
At the senior leader discussion, Petraeus spoke of his "Big Idea" philosophy of leadership, explaining how the philosophy helped during the surge of troops to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He also stressed the importance of leaders "getting it right."
"Live by our Army Values," Petraeus said. "We've fought for decades and millenniums to protect those values."
Leaders should be the first to take responsibility and represent the facts and the truth when something is wrong, he said.
"Put it out there, don't hide it and allow it to fester," added Petraeus. "Get in front of the rumors by admitting what happened and fix it."
"Whenever there is an Abu Ghraib moment, we aren't living our values," he explained.
Petraeus also challenged the leaders to figure out what accomplishments they want to be remembered for during their time in the Army.
"You're only as important as the programs you implement," he told the group.
Following his briefing, Petraeus led a promotion ceremony, pinning new rank on three Soldiers.
The CENTCOM commander promoted Sgt. 1st Class Rose Menil, senior human resources noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 242nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group; Cpl. Leonard Salazar, military policeman, 127th Military Police Company, 759th, MP Bn.; and Spc. David Shirley, armor crewmember, Company C, 2nd Bn., 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.
Petraeus presented Cpl. Chelsea Foltz, health care specialist, 704th Brigade Support Bn., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., the Bronze Star Medal with V-device for heroic actions during her current deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Petraeus also presented Sgt. Patrick Bretton, cannon crewmember, Battery A, 4th Bn., 42nd Field Artillery Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., and Spc. Damien Drake, 59th Quartermaster Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Bn., 43rd Sustainment Brigade, with the Army Commendation medal.
Following the special event, Petraeus made an impromptu stop on the way to Wolf DFAC, to thank Family members of 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., who were outside of the division headquarters building raising money for the battalion Family Readiness Group.
At the DFAC, Petraeus asked the former and present company commanders attending the commander's luncheon to share lessons learned from their past deployments.
The leaders brought up topics such as, building a relationship with the Iraqi people and showing the local nationals of Afghanistan and Iraq a friendly side of American Soldiers, as key lessons they learned during recent deployments.
The group also talked about how to properly run a FRG while deployed and the implementation of the "advise and assist mission."
Following the round-table discussion, Petraeus asked the officers to discuss the difficulties experienced in their present assignments, and asked each to discuss their next duty assignment and future plans in the Army.
Petraeus presented each Soldier a coin and provided a photo opportunity at the conclusion of the luncheon.
Perkins thanked Petraeus for his visit to the Mountain Post and presented the CENTCOM commander with a 4th Inf. Div. coin before the four-star general left to visit the U.S. Air Force Academy.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2009 12:21 |
| Story ID: | 41365 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 350 |
| Downloads: | 227 |
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