By 2nd Lt. Michael H. Warren
4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Retired Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, center, spoke with Brig. Gen. William L. Thigpen, right, acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, and other Soldiers March 21, 2019, during his visit to Fort Carson at the 4th Infantry Division’s headquarters building. (Courtesy photo)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Retired Gen. Vincent K. Brooks visited 4th Infantry Division Soldiers and shared knowledge and expertise about leadership at the headquarters building March 21, 2019.
Although Brooks retired in January, the lifelong leader said he still believes it is his duty and responsibility to develop and invest in junior and senior leaders. Everyone has their own method of leadership to achieve desired results. While there are many ideas, beliefs and viewpoints, Brooks was able to share what worked for him.
During his visit, Brooks spent the day presenting awards, providing leadership development, and was the guest of honor during the Manchu post-deployment ball.
“It was such an honor and privilege to have Gen. Brooks, a former ‘Manchu’ battalion commander, spend time with our formation and as the guest speaker for our battalion ball,” said Lt. Col. David Uthlaut, commander, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg., 1st SBCT. “His insights and perspective on the history and heritage of our regiment clearly resonated with our Soldiers and Families.”
Brookes presented the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), to various Soldiers in the battalion. The CIB is a testament to an infantryman’s courage, dedication, training and grit. In all, 11 warriors from the battalion received the award from their current commander, Manchu 6, Uthlaut and former Manchu 6, Brooks.
“It was a great honor being awarded my CIB by the former Manchu 6 and such an esteemed leader as Gen. Brooks,” said Sgt. Riley Roland, team leader, Comanche Company, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg., 1st SBCT. “Very few people ever get the experience of having such a respected and proven individual play a part in one of the greatest achievements of their career.”
After the ceremony, Brooks hosted a leaders professional development (LPD) session. Various leaders filled the division’s conference room, ready to hear what the former commander of U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Forces Korea had to say.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Retired Gen. Vincent K. Brooks spoke to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, March 21, 2019, at the Division Headquarters building. Brooks visited Fort Carson and the battalion he formerly commanded to discuss important facets of leadership: listen, learn and lead. (Courtesy photo)
Brooks discussed his three “L’s” of leadership: listen, learn and lead, as well as how to remain an effective senior leader at the battalion level and higher.
“Consensus and teamwork,” he said. “Your subordinates must know they own the mission and they are truly a part of what the organization is trying to accomplish.”
Brooks also shared his method for solving what he deemed wicked problems.
“First, decisions should be made based on the second or third order effects,” said Brooks. “Leaders should not only look at whether or not they can achieve the task, but what effect their success might have and what the consequences of taking action may be.”
Brooks stressed the importance of diverse viewpoints involved in solving “wicked problems.”
He offered insight into how he applied his leadership philosophy throughout his 42 years of service from the time he served as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy West Point to serving as the commander of the U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Forces Korea.
His wisdom and experience left leaders with a different perspective on what it means to truly be an effective leader.
“His ability to pragmatically teach and mentor all leaders and Soldiers attending the LPD shows his wisdom and experience are unmatched. I personally appreciated his guidance on asking Soldiers ‘why they joined the Army?’” said Capt. Colton Raposa, with 1st SBCT. “We should all strive to better understand the foundations and motivations of our Soldiers, so we can be the best possible leaders and stewards of the Army profession.”
Brooks concluded his day at the Manchu post-deployment military ball celebrating the recent return from a successful deployment to Afghanistan.
While his previous speeches focused on leadership, Brooks told the battalion that he was honored to be part of the Manchu Family. During his speech, he discussed how his time as a Manchu was one of the most impactful experiences in his Army career and said no matter where he was in his career, he always wears his Manchu crest.
Brooks’ conviction to the importance of building exceptional leaders in the Army continues to influence his life and his decisions. He looks at retirement not as an opportunity for himself, but an opportunity to give back to today’s Soldiers.