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Ready — Leonard Wood took command of the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry when war with Spain broke out in 1898. His second-in-command was Theodore Roosevelt. The regiment was a collection of cowboys, ranchers, miners, athletes, and adventurers. Enthusiasm was plentiful. Military training was not. Wood knew courage alone didn’t win battles. He imposed discipline, organized the volunteers, and trained them for combat. After Wood was promoted, Roosevelt assumed command and led the Rough Riders during the fighting around San Juan Heights in Cuba.
Set — Years later, Wood saw another war approaching. After serving as Army Chief of Staff from 1910 to 1914, he became one of America's strongest advocates for military preparedness. He promoted summer training camps where civilians could learn the fundamentals of military life.
Wood emphasized several principles:
Prepare before the crisis. Wood believed training should begin long before soldiers were needed on the battlefield.
Learn by doing. Classroom instruction had value, but Wood emphasized realistic practice: marching, drilling, field exercises, weapons training.
Develop discipline. Enthusiasm brought men into the army, but disciplined habits made them dependable under pressure.
Find leaders. Wood looked for men who could think, make decisions, accept responsibility, and inspire others.
Expect toughness. Hard training prepared soldiers to function when they were tired, uncomfortable, and under pressure.
Grow! — After the United States entered World War I in 1917, Wood's foresight paid dividends. Preparedness provided a pool of men with military experience, while its methods influenced the officer-training system needed for America's rapidly expanding Army. Remember: The best time to train a leader is before you need one. Identify potential leaders now. Train them. Mentor them. Give them real responsibilities. Let them learn by doing.
Two Questions
What leadership position would create difficulty if it became vacant?
Who are you training to fill it?