“War is fear cloaked in courage.”- Gen. William C. Westmoreland
YUMA, Ariz. - The presence of Sgt. Maj. David Wilson, the sergeant major of Marine Attack Squadron 311 (VMA-311) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., demanded attention as his commanding voice reverberated off the walls of the station chapel, Oct. 31. Wilson’s respect and admiration for Nicholas Warr was evident as he introduced the author to an attentive audience of Marines.
The presence of Sgt. Maj. David Wilson, the sergeant major of Marine Attack Squadron 311 (VMA-311) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., demanded attention as his commanding voice reverberated off the walls of the station chapel, Oct. 31. Wilson’s respect and admiration for Nicholas Warr was evident as he introduced the author to an attentive audience of Marines.
Warr, a retired Marine first lieutenant and a native of Hendersonville, N.C., joined the Marines at the station chapel to lead a professional military education (PME) presentation about urban warfare and military leadership.
The goal of the PME was to promote leadership engagement on all levels, which falls in line with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s “Committed Engaged Leadership Campaign,” initiated by Maj. Gen. Steven Busby, commanding general of 3rd MAW. The campaign is designed to reinvigorate leadership among the ranks as the Marine Corps transitions from the battlefield to peacetime.
“There is nothing more important in the Marine Corps than committed and engaged leadership,” said Warr. “Leaders, at all levels of the chain of command, must learn to be effective leaders. It’s not easy to learn and practice leadership, but today’s Marine Corps training does provide the tools needed to develop the skills of an effective leader.”
The Corps’ history has proven that every Marine is a leader in their own respect. Leadership can rise from a private, a private first class or a lance corporal.
“Marines need to know that their leaders will do and say the right things, at the right time and place, whether stateside or conducting combat operations. In my experience that’s when leadership is most needed, and most difficult to perform,” explained Warr. “This provides the confidence they need to do their jobs when they are under stress or under fire.”
Leaders face challenges, whether they are deployed, in overseas operations or in garrison. As Marines, a constant study and application of the leadership principles and traits is required to develop the future leaders of our Corps.
“As the Corps is being downsized, each and every Marine and their actions will increasingly come to the surface, because a bad decision can and often does become a negative story in the media,” said Warr about keeping and upholding the core values. “A leadership failure and the actions of one individual Marine can put a dent in our armor.”
The leadership PME was a great tool for the Marines in attendance to have in their arsenal, and Warr thanks the Marines and sailors of MCAS Yuma and the Tomcats of VMA-311, for their attentiveness on Oct. 31.
“Effective leadership, constant training, honor, courage, commitment and esprit d’ corps, will continue into the future and ensure the long-term success of the United States Marine Corps,” added Warr. “Effective leadership is the key to success at home and on the battlefield.”