John J. Pershing: The CEO by Shaleem Dempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18 Leadership en-us 2021-10-15 00:21:04 UTC 2024-05-27 08:41:36 UTC hello@padlet.com John J. Pershing: The CEO ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818502342  

Shaleem Dempsey
Grantham University
HS 315: Great Commanders
Professor Wagner
October 14, 2021
]]> 2021-10-15 01:22:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818502342 A commanding legacy ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818510508 General John J. Pershing was one of the most impactful field commanders in American history, serving in numerous campaigns on U.S. soil and abroad, but ultimately being most well-known for his strategic leadership in World War I.]]> 2021-10-15 01:25:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818510508 1860 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818515473 Born in 1860, Pershing was a highly trained and experienced military officer.

]]> 2021-10-15 01:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818515473 1886 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818516720 Graduated West Point, started service as a second lieutenant assigned to the 6th Cavalry, which was conducting campaigns against natives in the Southwest.]]> 2021-10-15 01:28:38 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818516720 1890 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818517314 Served in the campaign to suppress the Sioux uprising in the Dakota Territory]]> 2021-10-15 01:28:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818517314 1891-1893 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818519199 He became an instructor in military science at the University of Nebraska in 1891 and earned his law degree in 1893.]]> 2021-10-15 01:29:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818519199 1895 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818519795 Took command of a troop within the 10th Cavalry Regiment, an all-African American Buffalo Soldier regiment 

]]> 2021-10-15 01:29:55 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818519795 1897 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818520301 Became an instructor at West Point 

]]> 2021-10-15 01:30:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818520301 1893-1903 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818520920 Served in Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish American War]]> 2021-10-15 01:30:25 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818520920 1905 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818521365 Served as a military attaché to the U.S. embassy in Japan

]]> 2021-10-15 01:30:37 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818521365 1905 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818523004 Served as a military attaché to the U.S. embassy in Japan]]> 2021-10-15 01:31:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818523004 1906 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818523450 President Roosevelt promoted Pershing to the rank of captain, far ahead of schedule and before others with more seniority]]> 2021-10-15 01:31:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818523450 1913 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818523905 Returned to the Philippines and served as the commander of the department of Mindanao as well as the governor of Moro Province]]> 2021-10-15 01:31:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818523905 1916 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818524279 Commanded the expedition sent against Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa

]]> 2021-10-15 01:31:56 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818524279 1917 ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818524725 Succeeded Gen. Funston as commander on the U.S.-Mexican border. After the U.S. declared war on Germany and joined the allies, President Wilson nominated Pershing to command the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), the American troops that would go on to fight in Europe.]]> 2021-10-15 01:32:07 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818524725 1917 (America enters WWI) ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818532816
The allied European troops originally only wanted financial support and resources from the Americans. However, the Americans sent over troops as well that were just supposed to support the allied efforts. However, by 1918, the allies were suffering and Pershing determined that most of the Americans would fight under his leadership as an American military rather than under the command of the various European militaries. 

Pershing never entirely got his wish and the Americans mostly fought alongside allied troops. However, Pershing was largely credited with many victories in battle that led to the surrender of Germany and the end of WWI.
]]> 2021-10-15 01:35:44 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818532816 Leadership Attributes ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818535228
  • The rigid attention, upright bearing, attention to detail, uncomplaining obedience to instructions 
  • Pershing “balanced policy of “benevolent assimilation” and economic development coupled with a willingness to rapidly and ruthlessly suppress any challenge to American rule or local stability” (p. 126).
  • Pershing was politically savvy, knowing when to obey and when to push back
  • Unlike many of the other famous leaders, he did not have an ego that would get in the way of the mission
    • ]]>     2021-10-15 01:36:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818535228     Leadership Flaws ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818536291
  • Not known as a warm and compassionate leader, especially following the death of his wife and daughters
  • Pershing often proclaimed the superiority of “independent infantry” and American techniques towards European militaries and this did not win him many likability points with the allies.
  • Often inflexible when it came to his beliefs and conditions
    • ]]>     2021-10-15 01:37:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818536291     Leadership Accomplishments ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818539184
  • Led and participated in many successful battles leading up to WWI. For example, Edgerton (2020) notes that Pershing played a key role in the "crucial but often overlooked period in the development of American counterinsurgency strategy" in the Philippines.
  • He knew how to negotiate with the allied military leaders so that America could get the recognition and respect that they deserved for their efforts in WWI. He had the full support of President Wilson.
  • He led a hastily-assembled military, mostly staffed with civilians who were quickly entered into the military. In his formal report about the entry into the war, he wrote, "Prior to our entrance into the war, the regiments of our small army were very much scattered, and we had no organized units, even approximating a division, that could be sent overseas prepared to take the field" (Pershing, 1920, p. 5).
  • Known for leading the assault on the Saint-Mihiel salient successfully in 1918 before quickly regrouping his troops for the Meuse-Argonne offensive, leading the inter-Allied offensive that quickly weakened German resistance and led to the Armistice less than a month later.
  • He created the general staff system that is still used today.
    • ]]>     2021-10-15 01:38:35 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818539184     Leadership Failures ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818540494
  • He was widely criticized for operational and logistical errors made on the European battlefield.
  • His “incomplete preparations and inexperience slowed the Meuse-Argonne operations” (Ray, 2021).
  • He largely relied on frontal assaults, which led to many casualties
  • He disagreed with many allied tactics such as trench warfare and splitting up the American military, which led to conflicts with other leaders.
  • He disregarded the German armistice on November 11, not calling for a ceasefire and leading to more deaths.
    • ]]>     2021-10-15 01:39:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818540494     Analysis ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818542771
  • Pershing had to lead in far more different contexts than most military leaders, serving everywhere from Mexico to the Philippines to Japan to Europe. 
  • He also had to adapt to rapidly changing military technology and capabilities. “When Pershing entered active service as a cavalry officer in 1886, his world was one of horses, single-shot carbines and the occasional Gatling Gun or mountain howitzer. In those days, the army’s strength hovered around 28,000 men. On 11 November 1918, Pershing ‘s world was one of rapid firing artillery, tanks, machine guns, aircraft, and the industrial- strength logistics and administration of an army of two million men in the AEF alone” (Gabel & Willbanks, 2019, p. 123).
  • Additionally, Gabel and Willbanks points out that “senior commanders are political creatures who must have a sound comprehension of the social and political realities that drive their nations. John J. Pershing clearly understood this requirement and held the greatest political skill required of American generals: knowing when to keep his mouth shut” (2019, p. 130). This social and situational awareness is crucial for elite leadership.

    He also worked alongside people who were far different than he was. He was a white male from Missouri, but he served alongside blacks, Asians, Cubans, Mexicans, and a variety of Europeans. Most people today don’t even work with such diverse teams, but he did- and for the most part, he was respected by all he worked with. Perhaps his ability to adapt to changing contexts is the most interesting aspect of his leadership.
    • ]]>     2021-10-15 01:40:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818542771     Conclusion ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818546256 Pershing eventually served as the United States’ chief of staff from 1921 until 1924. He also advised military leadership during WWII regarding strategy. Today his military strategic lessons live on and are studied by military scholars around the world.]]> 2021-10-15 01:41:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818546256 References ShaleemDempsey https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818687849
  • Edgerton, R. K. (2020). American Datu: John J. Pershing and Counterinsurgency Warfare in the Muslim Philippines, 1899-1913. University Press of Kentucky.
  • Gabel, C. & Willbanks, J. (Eds.). (2010). Great commanders. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press. Retrieved from https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/GreatCommanders.pdf.
  • Pershing, J. J. (1920). Final Report of Gen. John J. Pershing: Commander-in-Chief American Expeditionary Forces (No. 626). US Government Printing Office.
  • Ray, M. (2021, September 9). John J. Pershing. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-J-Pershing
    • ]]>     2021-10-15 02:44:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ShaleemDempsey/g0tzzeoahv6akv18/wish/1818687849