Servant Leadership

When I came up in the Army, there was an old saying:

"You can’t be a great leader without receiving an Article 15."

It probably wasn’t meant to be taken as literal advice, but I followed it anyway. And while I do not condone my past behavior, I believe there is a valuable lesson to be learned from my tumultuous journey from Private to Sergeant Major.

Early in my career, I found myself at a crossroads:

Demoted, reprimanded, and facing the consequences of my actions.         

My military journey started with serious mistakes, but underneath my flaws and lack of discipline, there was a developing leader. Fortunately, a few perceptive individuals noticed my potential. Even as a newly "demoted" private, I had a knack for bringing people together and getting things done.

It’s ironic, but many of the best leaders I’ve known were former troublemakers.

Across the globe, young people push boundaries and challenge rules, often earning labels like "troublemaker" or "rebel." Yet, within this defiance lies the potential for exceptional leadership.

This book delves into the journeys of those who, like myself, began as rule-breakers and emerged as transformative leaders. Drawing from my own experiences, stories from featured contributors, and the journeys of historical icons and contemporary figures, we’ll explore how these individuals harnessed their unique traits to inspire, lead, and drive change.

"The Undercover Leader" aims to redefine leadership by highlighting the often-overlooked potential in those who break the mold. Through vivid storytelling and true accounts, we’ll uncover how early defiance can lay the foundation for transformative leadership. By understanding and nurturing these qualities, we can foster a new generation of leaders who are authentic, resilient, and passionate about making a difference.

Dr. Thomas Clark, PMP

My name is “Clark” and I’m a Soldier!

We were the Clark Boys. Most of the time, when an adult spoke to us, it was with the phrase, "You one of them damn Clark boys, ain't you?" This was usually followed by,"Wait 'til I tell your daddy what you did."

My brothers and I loved each other, but at the time, we just didn’t know it. My dad was the toughest man I knew then and remains the toughest and most knowledgeable man I've ever met. If anyone told him we misbehaved, all of us got a whopping—open hand on bare skin. When Chuck Norris goes to sleep, he checks the closet to see if my dad is in it.

My dad instilled in us early that you mean what you say and do what you say. He was raising men, not boys, and he let us know that from a very early age. My brothers were and are tough men who I can call on any day of the week, and they would be there to lend a hand. My momma is an angel that the Lord lent to us while she stays here on this green earth. How she raised five boys is still a mystery to me.

Growing up in Danville, Pennsylvania, the minority kid had red hair. I didn’t even meet a minority person until 10th grade when the Barbosa family moved in. I played basketball and met him at our local YMCA playing ball. I know how that sounds, but that’s how it happened. So, chill. Let me back up. We actually lived in R. D. 5, Danville, Pennsylvania, which stands for Rural Drive, or at least 20 miles from a decent-looking potential girlfriend. I did not have racial experiences, let alone prejudices. Also, because my father taught me that a man or woman is judged by their actions and not by their ability to run their pie-hole, I was always open-minded and determined.

When I joined the military, I was short—I had to sit on a pillow to drive my car—and skinny—so skinny I had to run around the shower to get wet. But I was an athletic young man, and all Clark boys have hearts like the post-Grinch who stole Christmas—three sizes too large.

I tell you this upfront to let you know the military and the corporate world honed my values, but my father, my mother, and my family instilled them into me as a young man. I was blessed to grow up a Clark, living in a large family with two capable, driven, and God-fearing parents. My mom and dad loved us unconditionally and protected us. At times, they protected us by providing an education and a roof over our heads; at other times, my dad used his 12-gauge shotgun. They used any means they deemed necessary.

I joined the military in 1979, in the delayed entry program, my senior year of high school. I think I spent my entire senior year telling the pretty girls they needed to show me some love because soon I would be off to war and unavailable. That, of course, was not true, but you use what you can when you are young. I remember my brother Randy and my Uncle Ron in uniform and how professional they looked with all the medals, but more importantly, how they walked with confidence. They both were deciding factors in my decision to join the military. But the real reason may have been that staying and working for my dad and the neighboring farms was very hard work. We caught chickens at 4:00 in the morning and then went to school. I reeked of sweat, rotten eggs, and chicken manure—a rare and unique smell—they should bottle it, or not. My dad also owned his own construction business, and that was also very hard work.

So, when the drill instructor said we were going to get up earlier and work harder than we had ever worked in our entire lives and then let me sleep until 5, do some intense physical training that didn’t involve chickens or 40-pound masonry blocks, and fed me at least three hot meals a day with dessert—I was hooked. I loved the Army and everything that came with it. I got paid $448 a month back then and thought that was a lot of money.

I start every speech I have ever given since I was a platoon sergeant with the simple phrase:

"My name is Clark, and I’m a Soldier."

Why? Because it always reminds me that I swore an oath to the men and women that I lead and protect, and to not forget my roots as a private serving in our military. Also, because I grew up in a family where my dad started as a poor but honest man. His work ethic elevated his worth and that of our family. I’m very proud of my family name.

I attended the Army's basic training in the summer of 1980. It was hot at Fort Leonard Wood. Fort Leonard Wood is a U.S. Army training installation located in the Missouri Ozarks. The Ozark region is known for an abundance of sparkling springs, waterfalls, lakes, caves, caverns, and sinks. I saw none of that. I saw the barracks, the training ranges, my fellow trainees, my weapon, my gear, and my drill sergeants. This was the first time I was off the farm.

My career got off to a rocky start, to say the least. I was in constant trouble for fighting or "fisticuffs," as my dad called it. I was in danger of not completing basic training because of this and several other infractions, including sitting with the females at the movies instead of where I was supposed to. The drill sergeant said, "Damn it, country, you work hard but lack focus," though he said it more colorfully. I spent several years in the Army before I joined the Army. Maybe that doesn’t make sense, but one day I just woke up tired of not having a purpose and decided to finally join the organization I was already part of and make something of myself.

I had many jobs in the Army.

My last job was as the Army’s Signal Regimental Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Signal Center, and the Fort Gordon Command Sergeant Major.         

But the job I loved the most was my time as a battalion CSM in combat, a brigade CSM in combat, and a task force CSM in combat.

In 2003, I was the command sergeant major of the 440th Signal Battalion, and we were called upon to deploy to combat. I tell people that AAFES did not beat us to Baghdad. For those civilians in the crowd, AAFES is our Target—actually, maybe Walmart. We ate MREs for almost 100 days. I ate so many MREs that I knew that Case B, Menu #13, was cheese tortellini with tomato sauce. It came with nuts, chocolate peanut spread, trail mix, hot sauce, a spoon, a heater, and accessory packet C. In those little accessory packets, you got gum, hand wipes, toilet tissue—you could just about get the job done with—and coffee. Number 13. It was delicious the first through the 25th time I ate it. After that, not so much.

As signal soldiers, we dug foxholes, constructed field latrines and field showers, and slept in tents or vehicles for over a year. Signal soldiers who came face to face and engaged the enemy. These soldiers' battle space was all around them. It was an 18th Airborne fight led by V Corps. We were a Signal Regiment team north of the line of departure. It began in New York, DC, and Pennsylvania, and ended in places like Dogwood, LSA Chargers, and Camp Victory. Six major US maneuver units—4th Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, Marine Expeditionary Force, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne, and the 101st Airborne—23 different countries providing coalition support, and 14 different signal battalions. Lots of units and equipment, but war is about the people.

I have scar tissue on my heart from those people I/we have loved and lost during those wars. Service members are different. Let me give you an example: December 15, 2003. SPC Aaron Clark. Army SPC. Clark was assigned to the 440th Signal Battalion. He was killed when his three-vehicle convoy hit an improvised explosive device. Aaron came into the Army with a GED and something to prove. He wanted to get out of Chico and make something of himself. Two years after he joined, he was part of the first invasion wave of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was only a month away from leaving the Middle East and fulfilling one of his childhood dreams: entering the Airborne Ranger training program.

In a final letter home to his mother, Aaron explained his re-enlistment:

"I'm sorry for changing my mind. I had no time to think about it, so I had to jump on it. This is what I've been waiting for, Mom. I love you and I'm doing this for you and the rest of my family. I want you to always be proud of me. Love, Airborne Aaron."

He was killed days after he sent this letter. This is an example of America’s best. We must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This event changed me, I never wanted to waste another day of my life. If so, I would disgrace those who lost theirs defending me and my family.

Less than a year later, I was back in Iraq as the brigade CSM of the 22nd Signal Brigade. Then the 15th Signal Brigade and then the installation and the Regiment. Being a soldier was what I loved and being in the Army from 17 years old to 50 meant it was the only thing I knew. Then the Army thanked me for my service and sent me to the civilian world.

Some of the awards my service members earned for me were the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Air Assault and Combat Action Badge, and induction into the Audie Murphy Club and Sergeant Morales Club. Lifted by them and my leaders, I was able to obtain these awards.

So, how did a small-town country boy from Danville, Pennsylvania, get to be a senior civilian executive leader, an active volunteer in the community, a congressional appointee to the board of directors of the SRSCRO, a 2017 graduate of Leadership Augusta and a 2018 graduate of Leadership Columbia County, a recipient of the 2018 Columbia County Lifetime Achievement Award, and named as one of Georgia Trend’s and James Magazine’s 100 most influential/notable Georgians in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, a commissioner on the Georgia Joint Defense Commission and a 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award; this award serves as the highest honor given on the state level to any citizen.

By using the same values that my parents, my family, and the military instilled in me, I used them to secure a job at General Dynamics. There I was hired as a training manager and began to improve my post-military credentials. I had a master’s degree in post-secondary adult education from Troy University when I was in the military but then earned a post-military doctorate in management in organizational leadership from Phoenix University and obtained the coveted PMP certification in my spare time.

All of this was great, but what burned inside of me was the desire to serve the community I lived in and the military I loved. When the chance came to compete for the executive director of the Alliance for Fort Eisenhower, I jumped on it.

A Servant who Opts to Lead with Integrity, Experience, and Respect—a SOLDIER.

Our main job is to promote, coordinate, and advocate for our region's number one employer: Fort Eisenhower. But I also get to send our region's youth to Cyber Camps every summer for free, give away laptops from AT&T grants to service member spouses, help veterans connect with jobs, and go to Senate, House, and Chamber meetings to lobby for a new gate or an I-20 interchange and connector. Every day is different, but the job helps me help others, and it also helps the scar tissue that I have over my heart from those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Giving back and honoring those who wear the uniform.

Having a supportive family is what truly makes life and my job something I get to look forward to. Having served with the best commanders, civilian leaders, and soldiers in the Army and some of the most amazing civilian leaders out of the Army is what has made it memorable.

My name is “Clark”, and I’m a Soldier!

ABOUT DR. TOM CLARK

Dr. Tom Clark, Command Sergeant Major (retired), had a distinguished 32-year Army career, culminating as the Army’s Signal Regimental Command Sergeant Major at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He led soldiers in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning accolades like the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and two Bronze Stars. An inductee of the Audie Murphy and Sergeant Morales Clubs, Tom holds a master’s degree in adult education from Troy University and a doctorate in Management in Organizational Leadership from Phoenix University. Currently, he is the executive director of the Alliance for Fort Eisenhower and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Named one of Georgia Trend’s and James Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Georgians from 2019 to 2024, he also serves as a commissioner on the Georgia Joint Defense Commission. A dedicated community volunteer, he has received numerous awards, including the 2018 Columbia County Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2023 Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award. He lives in Evans, Georgia, with his wife, Kandee, and their family.

Interested in reading more? 

Check out our collaborative book: 

"The Undercover Leader: Why Rule-Breakers Make Exceptional Game-Changers"        

ABOUT ME

Noel DeJesus is a decorated combat veteran with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is an internationally published author and the founder of "Pocket Sized Leadership?," providing concise, actionable insights for busy professionals. As a certified training facilitator and renowned speaker, he blends his military expertise with a passion for personal and professional development. Noel is a distinguished member of the LTG (Ret.) James M. Dubik Writing Fellowship for the United States Army and holds a Master of Arts in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma.

Learn More: www.noeldejesus.com