From Military Training to Corporate Excellence
Charles Room, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Strategic Workforce & HR Executive Consultant | HCM & Technology Enablement Solutions Expert | OCM Professional | Army Ranger Veteran
How Specialized Courses Shaped My Leadership Journey
Reflecting on my journey from the United States Army to executive leadership roles in the corporate world, I attribute much of my success to the foundational training received in specialized military courses. These formative experiences not only defined my military career but seamlessly transitioned, adding significant value to my leadership journey in the corporate arena.
From the adrenaline-fueled leaps at Airborne School to the relentless challenges of Ranger School, each course played a pivotal role in shaping my leadership style and decision-making abilities. The survival skills honed in SERE School, the art of discreet leadership cultivated in the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leadership Course, the transformative experience of Army Drill Sergeant School, and the precision demanded by Jumpmaster School laid the groundwork for my accomplishments in both military and corporate environments.
Airborne School: Jumping out of an aircraft is not just about conquering fear; it’s about embracing calculated risk-taking. I vividly recall the moment I stood at the open door of the plane, adrenaline coursing through my veins. The courage and adaptability I cultivated during Airborne School now drive me to tackle challenges fearlessly in the corporate arena. Just as I leaped from planes, I approach opportunities with a sense of determination and readiness.
Ranger School: Enduring the grueling physical and mental challenges of Ranger School taught me the true meaning of resilience. In the midst of exhaustion and hunger, I discovered reserves of strength I never knew I had. One particular night, in the pouring rain, as I struggled to keep moving forward, I realized the power of sheer will and determination. This tenacity has become my guiding force in the face of adversity, propelling me to persevere and thrive in the corporate landscape.
Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leadership Course: As a leader, the art of gathering critical information while remaining undetected is paramount. I recall a mission where precise planning and execution were essential to success. Leading my team with discretion and decisiveness, we achieved our objectives seamlessly. The leadership principles instilled in me during this course continue to guide my interactions with colleagues and teams, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration in the corporate environment.
Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School: The lessons of SERE School were about more than survival; they were about maintaining integrity and hope in the face of the direst circumstances. Learning to build a shelter in the wilderness, to evade capture, and to resist the enemy, I developed a profound understanding of self-reliance and mental fortitude. These skills have proven to be just as critical in the corporate world, where one must often navigate through complex and challenging situations.
Jump Master School: The precision and accountability demanded by Jump Master School were unparalleled. The responsibility of ensuring the safety of all jumpers and the accuracy of each drop zone was immense. It taught me the importance of meticulous planning and the confidence to make critical decisions under pressure. In the corporate world, these skills translated into an ability to oversee complex projects with multiple moving parts and the foresight to anticipate and mitigate risks before they become issues.
Air Assault School: Mastering the intricacies of air assault operations demands attention to detail and the ability to execute with precision. The rigorous training in rappelling, sling load operations, and helicopter assault techniques instilled in me a sense of discipline and focus that continues to guide my approach to complex tasks in the corporate world.
Pathfinder School: Mastering the art of navigation and leading small units through challenging terrain, Pathfinder School equipped me with advanced skills in reconnaissance, airborne operations, and air traffic control. This comprehensive training further enhanced my ability to analyze situations and make strategic decisions, vital both in military operations and corporate leadership.
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Army Drill Sergeant School: Mastering the art of training and leadership, Army Drill Sergeant School instilled in me the importance of discipline and mentorship. Guiding and shaping the next generation of soldiers demanded not only technical expertise but also empathy and adaptability. These qualities have become invaluable in my corporate leadership roles, where nurturing talent and fostering growth are paramount.
How These Courses Prepared Me for Corporate Success:
Adaptability: Just as I adapted to diverse terrains and scenarios during training, I thrive in navigating the dynamic business landscape, embracing change and uncertainty with confidence.
Resilience: The mental toughness honed-in Ranger School enables me to bounce back from setbacks, remaining steadfast in pursuit of long-term goals despite obstacles along the way.
Resourcefulness: Whether it’s devising innovative solutions to complex problems or navigating unforeseen challenges, my SERE training has equipped me with the ability to think outside the box and find creative solutions.
Leadership: The reconnaissance and surveillance course ingrained in me the importance of effective leadership, enabling me to inspire and empower teams to achieve exceptional results, even in high-pressure situations.
In transitioning to the corporate world, I carry with me the discipline, camaraderie, and unwavering commitment instilled by my military training. As I continue to excel in my endeavors, I remain guided by the spirit of service and dedication, knowing that my training has prepared me for any mission—whether in the boardroom or the field.
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Field Operations Supervisor @ Stryker, Orthopedics | US Army Veteran
11 个月Great article Charles! The military experience is very unique. I agree that military life (and military courses) molds us who we are as people and leaders. It also prepares us for a myriad of challenges that would seem totally unconnected while going through the experience. In my short time in the corporate world I have found that while the mission changes, people remain the same. Team members long for culture and standards. They want to know that what they’re doing is important and impactful. And more than anything they need experienced leaders that they know care about them to lead them through the highs and the lows. They long for leadership even though many times they can’t describe it. As I now look back at my military career I can recognize how beneficial every PCS, new assignment, deployment, change of leadership, and yes, military school was.
???Epic Storyteller??? | ??Award-Winning Radio Personality ?? | Corporate Trainer | Executive Coach | Keynote Speaker
11 个月Charles, terrific article. I think an extension of this article needs to be an open conversation. As someone who participated in some of the training you did and earned some of those badges, I can fully equate the training to senior level skills. The question becomes, who is going to believe us? Is this a self-licking ice cream cone? I think most of us would agree the validity of your success in uniform directly translates. But what I find too many times (and you do a masterful job of recognizing it by breaking things down) is some veterans expect their "service" or military rank / positions to speak for themselves. The executive recruiter at GM or Amazon doesn't know or care about Airborne School. They want to know if you have the skills to fit the job requirement. I think where senior military leaders fail is instead of focusing on highlighting the skills which earned them the titles and ranks and positions, they focus on the titles and ranks and positions. Again, John the recruiter for Google couldn't care less I was a sergeant major. He likely has no idea what one is nor is he going to take the time to learn. But if I focus on highlighting the skills which made me an effective sergeant major, he might give me a second look.
Analyzing Human Capital challenges & applying creative solutions
11 个月Charles, a well written road map for transitioning veterans who often sell their military training and experience short on resumes and interviews, by failing to capture this experience and translate it for corporate consumption. Companies value leadership and safety cultures. I would have greatly benefited from this insight when I was working for an oil company to be able to explain why years as a paratrooper provided invaluable experience for building and enforcing a culture based on safety, and attention to detail. Well done.
Human Resources Professional/ Training and Development Consultant
11 个月Brilliant article! I would emphasize that each school served as a gateway to a specific avenue of service and not an end in itself. For example, Jumpmaster school is less than a month long but the skills learned there are honed, improved, and mastered over years on jump status and hundreds of airborne operations. Drill Sergeant school is another great example. The school is 65 days in length and prepares hand picked enlisted leaders to serve as drill sergeants, training our sons and daughters for 2 to 3 years. Then taking that schooling and and those years of applied experience to their next assignment whether that be their next unit or the private sector after transition. Same goes for each level of NCOES, Ranger School and so on. The point is that the skills taught in these schools grow and improve over years of practice so by the time we transition the schools are much more than just badges or diplomas. They are a part of our very being. They are skills that stay with us which the private sector can benefit.