Karl Monger's Note:
Real Leaders Eat Last
Yesterday at 3:04pm
Golden parachutes, obscenely large salaries, bonuses and perk for executives that have risen disproportionately to the pay of the rank and file, labor disputes, companies run into the ground while the leadership exits set for life. Seems to me there is a very simple solution to a very complicated problem – real leaders eat last.
I was a soldier once, and young. The first time I went to the field on tactical exercises involved staying in the woods for several days. When the supply sergeant set up the chow line – thermal insulated containers containing mashed potatoes, sliced ham, green beans and a large container of iced tea – the soldiers lined up to get their food. As I walked up, my company commander motioned me over. He said simply “leaders eat last”.
The captain went on to explain that out of a show of respect for the soldiers who carry the heaviest loads, who put themselves in the greatest harms way that leaders eat last. He pointed out to me how the corporals in charge of four soldiers let their four go first. The sergeants in charge of the corporals waited until their two corporals and their soldiers went through the line, then the sergeants went through. This went on through the ranks until all the enlisted soldiers received their food, then the captain motioned for me to go before him.
This accomplished several things. It ensured the quality of food remained high until all hundred plus soldiers had eaten, and the captain at the end knew that everyone before him had received enough, and that the quality was at least as good as he received, if not better. It demonstrated to the lowest ranking soldiers that their leaders care about them.
Leaders in the army have many responsibilities and demands on their time. The decisions they make determine who lives and who dies. They certainly could pull rank, eat first and get on to their important tasks – but they realize the most important thing they can do is to earn the respect of those they lead by putting those they lead first.
When a corporate executive receives a multi-million dollar bonus yet raises the deductable on his employee’s health care, when she flies first class to a meeting yet lays off employees to save money, they do not put those they lead first. Rather, they ensure they eat first and let the scraps fall to the rest. No wonder there is a perception that corporate CEOs are evil and greedy – and it would do well for them to consider how they could implement a “real leaders eat last” philosophy in their business.
I am fortunate to work for a company that embodies the philosophy of leaders putting their people first. I suggest that many of our corporate issues in America could be quickly resolved if executives and boards of directors followed the simple philosophy that Real Leaders Eat Last.
Real Leaders Eat Last
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- Silverback
- Ranger
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Real Leaders Eat Last
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"thnks 4 pratn merku!"
- Rangertab1
- Tadpole
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Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
Amen Silverback. I have never lost site of this leadership fact. Not only should they eat last, they should go without if there is no food left.
Outstanding! I get to lead my family through humanity's next mass die-off. -Me
Commissioned, Lamar University - 19 December 1992
Ranger School Class 10-93
S4 RSE PL, 2/75 93-94
Commissioned, Lamar University - 19 December 1992
Ranger School Class 10-93
S4 RSE PL, 2/75 93-94
Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
I had a TL a while back who could not comprehend the look I gave him, every time he would stand somewhere in front of the guys. One day he asked me why I stood in the back. The response was the same as the above, but I guess in the Navy things are different. Actually completely the other way around. Top eats first, lowest last. The thought process being that those who hold the most important positions need to grab chow, eat it and go back to their stations. Doesn't make an ounce of sense, but that's their idea. Seems very much in line with the corporate culture in the US.
Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
To me, it is simply a matter of privilege and responsibility. It is my privilege to lead American Soldiers in harms way, and it is my responsibility to ensure that they are properly fed and cared for.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
Agree with you Jim, I always looked at it as taking care of the people. Many a times out in the field as a SL or PSG I can remember mermites coming out and getting a heaping pile of green beans because everything else was gone, I looked at it as at least I got something and was grateful. My SL's always thought I was joking, kinda was, but I would tell them, "You are the ones that make me look good".
1/75 1987-1991/1995-1999
505th PIR 1992-1995
RHQ 1999-2001/2003-2006
2/75 2001-2003
Class 5-88
"If I punch you in the woods and nobody else is around, is there a sound"
505th PIR 1992-1995
RHQ 1999-2001/2003-2006
2/75 2001-2003
Class 5-88
"If I punch you in the woods and nobody else is around, is there a sound"
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- Ranger
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Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
With few exceptions, I find very little leadership in the civilian world. But there are lots of managers with lots of privelages.
WE NEED MORE RANGERS!
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Mentor to Pellet2007, ChaoticGood & RFS1307
Ranger School Class 3-69
7th Special Forces Group
K Company (Ranger) 75th Infantry (Airborne)
4th Infantry Division
82d Airborne Division
12th Special Forces Group
- PocketKings
- Ranger
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Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
Funny. I just had this conversation with a retired LTC friend of mine.
RS 01-00
82d (1-325 AIR) 99-00
101st (2-502d IN) 00-03
82d (1-325 AIR) 99-00
101st (2-502d IN) 00-03
Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
My concern is how little responsibility they accept for their actions (or inactions).Ranger Bill wrote:With few exceptions, I find very little leadership in the civilian world. But there are lots of managers with lots of privelages.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
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- Ranger/LRRP/Admin
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Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
Jim, you got that right! I could barely stand to watch Congress grilling the bank ceo's and auto industry ceo's and telling them what a lousy job they had done when Congress is worse. The "Banking Queen" is so proud that they are going to give billions more to Freddie and Fannie. That should be criminal!!!
Sorry for hijacking the thread.
Sorry for hijacking the thread.

SUA SPONTE - "We few, we happy few, we BAND OF BROTHERS;
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
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http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
Re: Real Leaders Eat Last
Very true and in perfect timing for me. My Company is feeling the crunch now with the market. My Business Unit (New Business Department) is taking the worst hit. We are currently "redeploying" some of our people to help out in other areas of the company. The problem is, the only changes are where the rubber meet the road. My people. No one above a certain paygrade is affected at all. It fucking blows, AND, they just made 2 more new V.P.sRanger Bill wrote:With few exceptions, I find very little leadership in the civilian world. But there are lots of managers with lots of privelages.

B Co. FIST 3/75 Rgr Rgt.
1991-2000
RS 9-92
Task Force Ranger 1993
For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
1991-2000
RS 9-92
Task Force Ranger 1993
For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.