Leader in the Field

1LT Files

My Leader in the Field

1Lt Files is the Assistant Professor of Military Science and Special Projects Officer of the Army Reserve Officer Training Core (ROTC) program as well as the Detachment Commander for Det 1 B Co 2/149 GSAB. He flies the CH 97-Delta (Chinook) and oversees the daily activities of his men and 6 aircrafts worth 32 Million apiece. Two of his deployments have been to Iraq and one state side.

Money for school as well as a desire to travel sparked his interest in the Army. He enlisted as active duty in 1994 as an interpreter/translator. In 2000 he went Reserves and served as Platoon Sergeant for an Electronic Warfare platoon. From there he attended school at the University of Oklahoma and the ROTC program. When he graduated he earned a commission as an Aviation commission in the Oklahoma National Guard.

It’s inspiring to know that my leader in the field went through the same program that I am trying to complete. The things that influenced 1Lt Files to pick his career field was the opportunity to do something different, fly, and that he wanted to be paid as the leader he knew he already was.

He would recommend this field for anyone who has capabilities of a leader. If you have leadership abilities ROTC can strengthen them.

Leaders as active NCO’s have influenced his career most because they inspired him to stay in the service and were role models that lead by example. They displayed skills that came to 1Lt Files naturally while holding his greatest role as a PT SG, such as getting to know your team at a personal level and tailoring to meet their needs.

The hardest quality of leadership to develop in his eyes is motivation; being the first person there and the last to leave, while taking no days off. The fact that people rely on him helps to keep his motivation high. When I asked him what motivated him his answer was selfless- making others happy. He keeps his motivation strong by thinking pleasant thoughts and keeping when situations are rough.

He feels that the top quality a leader needs to posses is integrity- doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Leadership by Roudolph Giulinai has been the most helpful book in his career and he recommends it to all. His favorite book series is The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.