Article 01: Who I Am

First, welcome to the Tales Of Leadership Blog. I plan to release one monthly blog post to establish expectations upfront. My goal is to help you grow, learn, and, most importantly, think about leadership. I will share my leadership lessons gained from over 15 years of experience in the military to arm you with the wisdom needed to become the leader your team needs. Before we begin our journey together to become a more Purposeful Accountable Leader (PAL), let me quickly introduce myself.

I am a passionate father, husband, and servant leader who comes from a humble upbringing with a profound purpose of building better leaders. Let's take it back to Fenwick, West Virginia, in 1986. I was born in rural West Virginia to a coal mining and military family. I found sports, and they became my savior to instill the confidence I so desperately needed. I was not a natural-born leader. However, I had several role models during my formative years, but my sister was my most inspiring. In high school, she commanded the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and was instrumental in serving as my role model. She is strong, confident, and, most importantly, one of the reasons leading well is invaluable to me today. As my confidence built, I began to dream. I wanted to go to college and be the first person in my immediate family to earn a bachelor's degree. I chased the hard path that forced me outside of my comfort zone. 

1990- Fenwick West Virginia

The photo shows me as a young child and my father in the fall of 1990.

Using some creative strategies, I was admitted to Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia. Because of my modest background, I joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Marshall University in 2007 and enlisted in the National Guard under the Simultaneous Membership Program. Joining ROTC and the National Guard sparked another passion inside me, leadership. I quickly discovered leadership was a natural strength after holding key positions and winning several leadership awards in college, including the George C. Marshall Leadership Award, and completing the required training to commission in the Army as a young infantry officer, eager to lead.

2011- Fenwick West Virginia

The photo is at our wedding on my family’s farm in Fenwick, West Virginia.

In Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia, I quickly learned that you must follow well to be a good leader. After countless nights without sleep and food, I embraced this leadership lesson. I graduated from several Army leadership schools and eagerly shipped out to my first unit. Around this time, I also married Sophia, the love of my life. Our first year of marriage was full of challenges. Within one month of showing up at my unit, 4th Battalion 23rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington State, I deployed to Afghanistan for a 10-month combat tour. During this deployment, I truly learned what it meant to be a servant leader and the definition of selfless service.

I was humbled to finally take the role of Platoon Leader for the 1st Platoon Auraco Company, which had just suffered a devastating chain of events. The platoon sergeant and several other key members were hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) during a patrol. Two weeks before I took over the platoon, Sergeant Jose Rodriguez lost his life during an ambush in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan (see article below). Needless to say, I was thrust into a very complex situation. However, I had outstanding Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) on our team that I still talk to today. Without their guidance and leadership, I would not have continued pushing my boundaries and growing into a PAL. I credit my time at Fort Lewis, WA, to the leader I am today and pushing myself to envision the leader I plan to become!

2012- Southern Afghanistan

This photo was taken shortly before returning home from my first deployment. Some of the finest soldiers I have ever served beside.

Fast forward several years to my first company command, where I was placed in a similar situation. Within days of taking command, I was notified that I would be deploying to Iraq and possibly Syria. My wife was pregnant with our second child. The stress was too much for her, and she went into preterm labor. Luckily, we had a fantastic medical team who prevented early delivery. Also, the deployment never materialized. However, as the company commander of over 150 soldiers and their families, I tried to create a robust family atmosphere and lead through actions, not words. My first command was emotionally challenging due to two tragic accidents.

First, Alex Rhodes, a young man from rural Hurricane, West Virginia, died in an automobile accident. We had very similar backgrounds, and I saw a younger version of myself in that young man. (See below for Alex's obituary highlighting the man he was). The second tragic accident took the life of Jacob Malcolm, another young man from rural West Virginia. Both of these accidents were emotionally challenging for me and remain so today. However, they have taught me the true definition of gratitude. After significant personal reflection and "thinking time," I realized these events occurred for a reason. I was the right leader in bringing the team together and moving forward with humility and grace. As the Wolf Company Commander, I continued to grow as a leader staying coachable, curious, and committed.

2017- Fort Polk, LA

The photo was taken as I assumed command of Wolf Company. Still, one of the best jobs I have ever had!

I was honored to be provided another command for a headquarters company called Hawk Company. Throughout my 15-year military career, being in leadership roles has been deeply rewarding because they allowed me to coach and mentor service members daily. Due to my team's performance, my leadership nominated me for the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award (GDMLA). My wife would be the first to say that I'm not too fond of public recognition. I did, however, view the award as an honor and a way to represent all the soldiers I had the privilege to lead. I gave it my all and was one of 12 active-duty Army Captains out of 29,000 to be awarded the GDMLA. (See Article Below) Reflecting on this moment now, winning the GDMLA was a decisive point in my life, meaning that's the moment I understood my purpose; my reason for being on this earth is to build better leaders.

2019-Fort Polk, LA

The photo was taken at my final chain of command, where I gave Hawk Company over to another officer. Words can not express how grateful I am for the opportunity to lead these men and women!

Following two successful commands, I continued to dream and invest in myself. I made the switch from Infantry to Army Acquisition. After I applied to the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), where I earned a Master of Science in System Engineering Management. Achieving this accomplishment was years in the making. I have my early childhood struggles to thank for keeping me driven and on track. After graduating from NPS, I started a new career as a Product Manager, where I began to take action and make my vision come true. I enrolled in the Army Coaching Pilot Program and started my leadership coaching journey! Today, I have a leadership coaching business while serving full-time as an Army Officer. I provide free leadership coaching to active military and paid coaching to leaders outside the military. 

2022- Huntsville, AL

The photo was taken before embarking on my leadership journey. In this photo is my world, everything I hold dear.

So why did I share these deeply personal stories? I believe you must understand the building blocks that shaped me into the passionate father, husband, servant leader, and dreamer you see today. I do not seek notoriety. I am simply on a mission to help leaders transform into more PALs. 

Linked Articles:

GDMLA Article: https://www.army.mil/article/223584/soldiers_learn_timeless_lessons_of_macarthur

SGT Rodriguez: https://www.army.mil/article/84431/4_23_inf_says_final_goodbye_to_outstanding_soldier

SPC Rhodes: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/spc-william-alexander-rhodes/article_969eb610-e2d1-5d9f-b004-51a291082823.html

PVT Malcolm: https://www.brownfuneralhomeswv.com/book-of-memories/3486798/Malcolm-PVT-Jacob/obituary.php

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My Mission: I will end toxic leadership practices by equipping leaders with transformational leadership skills. 

Together, we will impact 1 MILLION lives!!!

Every day is a gift, don't waste yours!

Joshua K. McMillion | Founder MLC | Founder MLC

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