H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. as a child dreamed of a military career.His father, H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr., had attended West Point, “served in World War I” and later in World War II rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army. At the end of World War II, General Schwarzkopf, Sr. was posted to Iran and stayed to help “organize and train the national police force.” (Achievement.org H Norman Schwarzkopf)

Develop discipline and character:

In 1946 Brigadier General Schwarzkopf, Mr.’s family joined him in Iran. Norman, Jr. was 12 years old and attended school in Iran, and then Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. He became an outstanding student mastering French and German.

Competition Development: Attend West Point:

Upon returning to the United States, like his father, Norman, Jr. he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. At West Point, along with his studies, he “played on the football team, wrestled, sang, and led the chapel choir.” (Achievement.org H Norman Schwarzkopf)

A teacher’s lesson lasts a lifetime:

While at West Point, Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr.’s soccer team was taught by assistant coach Vince Lombardi his ’49’ “Lombardi Sweep”. This play would later become a staple in the Green Bay Packers’ dominance in the NFL under Lombardi’s leadership.

Lombardi Sweep: His ’49’:

Years later, the young and enthusiastic Schwarzkopf was now General Schwarzkopf. He weighed 6’3 “and 240 pounds with a blunt and direct communication style, and had a fearsome temper.

This temper and hatred for losing helped him lead his troops to victory during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. “He spoke French and German with coalition partners, displayed awareness of Arab sensibilities, and served as an operative agent for the General Colin Powell on the ground. ” (General Norman Schwarzkopf-ABC News)

General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. would remember and use his own version of the “49 Lombardi Sweep” during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. This football play from his youth helped play a crucial role in the victory of the Coalition of the States. United over the Desert Storm.

Ron Kramer, a former football player for coach Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packer “was watching the news about Operation Desert Storm when he noticed General Norman Schwarzkopf detailing an assault of his forces on Iraq, using arrows and diagrams to illustrate the maneuvers. “

Kramer had played tight end for Green Bay from 1957 to 1964, staring at the television screen with narrowed eyes. “He remembered that play. He had seen those arrows before!” Kramer remembers yelling at the TV screen.

“I wrote a letter to General Schwarzkopf. I sent him the ’49’ and told him that he had kidnapped Vince. He was in the army when Vince was there.”

General Schwarzkopf responded to Ron Kramer that “he had played football at West Point” and shared “his memories of the famous coach.” Related: Lombardi Sweep

Taking action:

Schwarzkopf’s first assignment was “as an executive officer of the 2nd Airborne Battle Group of the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.” He then went to work “with the 101st Airborne and the 6th Infantry in West Germany.” In 1960 and 1961, “he was an aide-de-camp for the Berlin Command.” It was a critical period “in the history of that divided city.” (Achievement.org H Norman Schwarzkopf)

Obtaining Master’s Degree in Engineering:

Upon returning to the United States, Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. earned his master’s degree from the University of Southern California in mechanical engineering.

Engineering Teaching at West Point:

Schwarzkopf returned to West Point in 1965 to teach engineering. Many of Norman’s classmates had gone to “Vietnam as advisers to the South Vietnamese army.” In 1965, Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. applied to join them.

Captain Schwarzkopf, Jr. served as an adviser to the South Vietnam Airborne Division and was promoted to commander.

He returned to teaching at West Point:

Schwarzkopf, after completing “his tour of duty in Vietnam,” returned to teaching at West Point.

Lieutenant colonel and marriage:

Commander Schwarzkopf was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1968 and married Brenda Holsinger. Later they had three children.

In Leavenworth, Kansas, Schwarzkopf continued his training at “the Command and General Staff College.”

Colonel Schwarzkopf “as American casualties mounted in Vietnam, he became convinced that it was his duty to apply his training and experience there, where it could save the most lives.” (Achievement.org H Norman Schwarzkopf)

Returning to Vietnam in 1969:

Colonel Schwarzkopf returned as a battalion commander to Vietnam.

Doing the Right Thing Ethically: Courage Under Fire: Vietnam:

During the Vietnam War on May 28, 1970, when General Schwarzkopf was a lieutenant colonel, “he ordered his helicopter to descend to rescue his troops who had entered a minefield.”

Some were airlifted, but he stayed with his troops. A soldier tripped over a mine, breaking his leg and wounding the colonel, who crawled over the hitting victim to prevent more mines from exploding. Three other soldiers were killed by a mine explosion, but the colonel took the survivors to safety.

Lieutenant Colonel Schwarzkopf was willing to risk his life for his men “(Robert McFadden article in the New York Times).

Barbara Walters was interviewing General Norman Schwarzkopf and asked him to define leadership.

General Schwarzkopf said: “It is skill, most importantly, is character. Is taking action. It is doing the right thing (ethical)thing. “

In the corporate world, these are the same four qualities necessary for success.

Barbara Walters asked General Schwarzkopf “What do you want on your tombstone?”

General Schwarzkopf said: “I want you to say: ‘He loved his family and he loved his troops, and they loved him.”

If you were asked, “What do you want on your tombstone? What would you say?”

Motivation expert Zig Ziglar says: “Compassion, love and sympathy are definitely part of the formula for success. Having the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes is of the utmost importance. When you really know how the other feels person, you can communicate with him or her more easily and lead more effectively. ” General Schwarzkopf knew it!

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf said: “There is nothing wrong with being afraid. And true courage is not not being afraid. True courage is being afraid, and go ahead and do your job anyway, that’s what it is courage. ”

What are the five leadership qualities that General Schwarzkopf identified, exemplified, and taught for success?

1) Competition,

2) Character,

3) Act,

4) Do the right thing at all times (ethically) and have

5) Courage.

By developing these five leadership qualities of General Norman Schwarzkopf, you too will become an exemplary leader!