2. In the ten years that I have been a Non Commissioned Officer I have learned that Leaders are Teachers. No matter what the enterprise – a family, school, church, or business – Leaders are Teachers. The terms are not, in my opinion, interchangeable; not all Teachers are Leaders, but all Leaders are Teachers. My first job, after earning a Bachelors degree in Music, was Assistant Band Director at a High School. Being a High School teacher in most American communities is considered a leadership position because one is expected to “set the example” live their lives as role models. For me, being a High School teacher meant that I was a good follower. You see, I graduated from my Mother’s Alma Mater, I pledge her sorority, and I assumed her profession. The leadership principle; Know yourself and seek self-improvement came into my existence before the Marine Corps. How can we succeed at be

8. Demeanor is a behavior that reveals to others one’s personality or attitude. Personalities all differ thus the uniqueness of one’s leadership style. The hard-nosed, knock-the-walls-down, slash-and-burn, victory-at-any-price kind of leadership always has its proponents; this kind of leader is often lauded – for a while. However, enduring leadership, lasting leadership, the kind that makes a positive, long-range difference, is always characterized by compassion. I still remember the Senior Drill Instructor speech, and the part; “I will treat you just as I do my fellow Marines, with firmness, fairness, dignity, and compassion.” A compassionate leader cares about people, both as individuals and as a group. A compassionate leader simultaneously seeks, the greatest good for individuals, the group, and the mission – not an easy task. What may seem good for an individual may not be good for the group or the mission. A leader must exercise compassion and thoughtfulness, which equals bearing. As a leader I know that it is the actions, the things I do that make a difference. Since being at Fort *****, I have come to learn another hard lesson; It is the little things that I do that mean a lot, and to remember that everything I do may be magnified greatly in the minds of those that I lead, every word, gesture, smile or frown takes on added significance when it comes from Staff Sergeant ******. I am unique and different; I now know that “different” does not ever “fit-in” – different stands out. As a Lance Corporal I was 28 years old, the one thing that kept me going, aside from my love and passion for the Marine Corps, was a Staff Sergeant once said to me “It’ll get better the higher you get in rank.” Now that I am a Staff Sergeant I think of that phrase and that Staff Sergeant and ask myself what exactly was he talking about?

6. Leaders must be able to face opposition with equanimity and confidence. The ability to hold one’s own when faced with criticism builds tremendous confidence in followers. A Leader must function as an expert and at the same time project his or herself as a person. I realize that I am the first female Marine that some of the Engineer students have encountered since setting foot on those yellow footprints, and for three months or more some were even taught that females are not equal. I have been assigned to Units where I had to work very hard to obtain trust from those around me, and I am thankful that I was fortunate to serve in a Unit where trust and confidence in me was never an issue. While assigned to Fourth Battalion, Parris Island, South Carolina, I was comfortable at being myself, hence came confidence and a performance of success. I also believe that a leader must vary his or her roles depending on the group. It is human to try to “fit-in” when placed in different surrounding. I have learned a hard lesson, “When in Rome, do as the Romans”, does not always apply. I think former Comm

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