# data[].attributes.body
HS315 Leadership Great Commanders
General John J. Pershing

# data[].attributes.body
General John J. Pershing went to West Point in 1882 and he became the cadet first captain on his class of 77. He graduated 30th in his class, which raises the question why was he the cadet first captain then? Well the answer is that even though he was near the middle of his class academically, he had good leadership and military skills. It was at West Point he adapted the stern belief in military discipline. This strong belief does earn him the nick name “Black Jack” later in his career. After graduating West Point, he went on to the west to help with the Indian campaign called the Ghost Dance war of 1890. He then went on to be the chief military instructor at the University of Nebraska. He excelled there and transformed the military program at the University of Nebraska and also earned a law degree while doing so. He then went on to West Point and was a tactical officer there. Here is where he earned his nick name “Black Jack” for his strictness in discipline. It also derived from the fact the he led the African American 10th cavalry. In 1898 He rejoined the 10th cavalry in Cuba. Pershing showed greatness here again. “The 10th Cavalry’s commander, Colonel Theodore Baldwin, later remarked that Pershing was “the coolest and bravest man I ever saw under fire in my life.”” (Christopher R. Gabel Ph.D.)

From Cuba he went on to Mindanao and it was her that his leadership and his political smarts would make him stand out even more. He became the military governor of Moro Province. These accomplishments both military and political became known. Theodore Roosevelt recognized this and promoted Pershing over 862 other officers that out-ranked him. Pershing now a brigade general went on to command the 8th Brigade and lead them in the Mexican Revolution. During this time, he suffered a great personal loss. His wife and daughters tragically died in house fire. Even stricken with grief he led his bigrade well. His political liability gave him an advantage as well. Pershing adjusted well to the terrain changes, obstacles of civilians, and the mission changes during this time as well. Pershing was dutiful and he stood his ground when needed.

In April of 1917 the United States declared war on Germany. President Wilson wanted a say in the world peace negations and he knew to do so the United States needed to go to war and be involved as a nation, not just as back-up. President Wilson chose John J. Pershing because he knew that he was politically inclined. His political skills were so great that President Wilson and Baker (Secretary of War) allowed him to have a larger say in the construction and tactics of his army than that of other leaders. With this Pershing was able to make decisions regarding his American soldiers and deny the French and British from using U.S. troops to simply replenish their own. It gave in a say on how the American troop were utilized and allowed him to reach the goal of having an American Army in WWI rather than the U.S. troops just mixing in with the French and the British. Pershing had backing from President Wilson and would not be bullied by the French or the British. He stood his ground because he knew that he needed to establish an American Army.

Pershing also knew that his soldiers needed sufficient training. He had never seen personally the likes of war that was happening in WWI. Pershing could see how war had changed and did the best he could to help ensure our troops were as ready as they could be in this given situation. Pershings leadership had to change as well. He wasn’t just leading into war anymore, he had so many political issues to consider as well. He became more or a manager or the CEO. He had to manage and make sure that supplies, medical, and equipment would be ready for his troops. He ordered for rail cars to be shipped overseas and so much more. He was leading in a new way and he adjusted well to it.

Pershing also knew he needed more intelligent and skilled men to help lead the American Army and he had a talent in finding people who were right for this job. He was respected as well as feared. He was strict and if an officer did not make the cut, he “blooeyed” him. He did not let friendships get in the way of his decision making. “When asked about his feelings in removing an old friend, General Omar Bundy, from command of the 2d Division, Pershing simply said, “I don’t care. Men’s lives are involved.”” (Christopher R. Gabel Ph.D.) He also was a good listener and held officers who voiced their concerns on a higher level of respect.

Ultimately, Pershing’s decisions in WWI led to a victory. He had some good decisions and some bad decisions. He did reach the goal of having an American Army that in the end proved success. He did however, lose many soldiers making decisions to prove the American Army was sufficient for modern war fare that WWI brought about.

# data[].attributes.body
General John J. Pershing

Attributes

-         He was a strict leader and demanded respect.

-         He was intelligent

-         He could problem solve well

-         He had a great ability to adjust to the ever-changing types of warfare

-         He could find talents in other officers

-         He was politically inclined

-         He had the ability to listen

-         He took time to study things he did not understand

-         He stood up for what he thought was right

-         He was dutiful

Flaws

-         His strictness at times made in unfavorable

-         He would not compromise at times

-         He was eager to prove the American Army could succeed and stand on its own two feet

# data[].attributes.body
General John. J. Perishing’s greatest accomplishment would have been his contribution in WWI that helped end the war. In that same accomplishment you can also find a failure. He great failure was the number of casualties that occurred because of his decisions at Meuse Argonne.

# data[].attributes.body
Pershing’s ability to keep cool under pressure or fire is something that can be studied today. He did not let his emotions take control of him which is something that is mentioned by both Clausewitz and Tuchman. He adjusted well to the changes in warfare and that could be studied as well. His achievements in disciple should be studied as well and leaders should be enforcing this as well. We can learn from his adaptivity as well. He was one of the first leaders from the United States who basically be came a CEO of the military. He was named the General of the Armies.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hi Amanda - The layout looks great so far. I am excited to see the finished product! 

# data[].attributes.subject
Hi Amanda - The layout looks great so far. I am excited to see the finished product! 

# data[].attributes.body
Pershing’s ability to adapt to an ever-changing warfare during his time was amazing. He we to basically the wild west and fighting the Indians to a modern warfare with machine guns and tanks. He adapted each step of the way. He proved himself to President Wilson and executed an American Army as the President had wanted him to. There were some great losses along the way and he made a great decision to divide the American Army after realizing that it was far to large for one man to lead. He did amazingly well with the situation he was handed. He has seemed to be lost in history; it could possibly be that WW2 completely overshadowed him. He has been slightly brought back to the present a few times as President Trump has made references to him. This may have led some people to find out who he was and what he had done.  He did well for our country and established a reputation for the American Army.

# data[].attributes.body
References

Christopher R. Gabel Ph.D., J. H. (n.d.). Great Commanders.

Clausewitz, G. C. (1874). Chapter lll The Genius for War. In On War. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1946/1946-h/1946-h.htm#chap03

Tuchman, B. W. (1972). Generalship. Parameters. Retrieved from https://content.grantham.edu/academics/GU_HS315/tuchmanarticle.pdf