What the Army Taught Me About Leadership That No Textbook Ever Could
Leadership is often described in theories, frameworks, and case studies. But the most powerful lessons aren’t found in textbooks, they are forged in lived experience. For me, those lessons came in the U.S. Army, where discipline, responsibility, and resilience became more than abstract ideas. They became survival.
Stripped Down and Rebuilt
My journey began at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where the moment we stepped off the bus, a drill sergeant barked, “You are now government property.” And we believed it. Basic training broke us down, our routines, identities, and comforts stripped away, and rebuilt us into soldiers. It taught me that discipline isn’t about punishment; it’s about creating stability when everything else feels uncertain. Later, as an educator and school leader, I leaned on that lesson: structure is what steadies people in crisis.
Learning Systems That Keep Things Running
From there, I was transferred to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, for administrative training. It was a different kind of education. I learned to manage the systems that kept the Army functioning, orders, personnel files, and correspondence. It showed me that leadership is more than giving direction; it’s about carrying responsibility for details that affect real lives. That understanding later shaped how I approached leadership in schools, where policies and paperwork always had a face and a name attached.
Courage in the Face of Conflict
At Fort Riley, Kansas, the Cuban Missile Crisis put us on constant alert. We slept in uniform, boots on, rifles at our sides, bags packed for immediate deployment. Every hour felt like history was about to knock. What I didn’t know then was that my mother, Edyth, was also serving in her own way, briefing top generals and admirals at the Pentagon as a GS-17 logistics officer. Knowing later what she did gave me a revelation: I came from strength.
Not every experience was smooth. In my final months, I clashed with a captain who promoted a white soldier over me despite identical training. When I asked why, he pointed to a Black career serviceman and said, “Be more like him.” I told him, “Like hell I do. I’m not an Uncle Tom.” That stance cost me, but it also led to one of my greatest opportunities, reassignment to Irwin Army Hospital, where I worked directly under the colonel, managing correspondence and files from soldiers around the world. It sharpened me for the administrative and leadership challenges I would face later in education.
Education as a Lifeline
One of the most lasting lessons came not from drills, but from a bulletin board. I saw a notice for night classes at Kansas State University. Without realizing it, I signed up for a graduate English course. I stayed, held my own among seasoned teachers, and earned a B. That victory gave me the confidence to pursue more, 30 credit hours at Kansas State, another 30 through the University of Maryland, and eventually, the foundation to continue my education after the Army. Leadership, I learned, requires constant growth, and education is the lifeline that makes it possible.
Conclusion
The Army taught me discipline, responsibility, courage, and the transformative power of education, lessons no textbook could have provided. They became the foundation for how I later led classrooms, schools, and entire districts.
Want to read the full story of how military lessons shaped a lifetime of leadership? Pick up Dr. David L. Snead’s memoir, Urban School Warrior. From Army barracks to the superintendent’s office, it’s a powerful record of resilience and purpose. Available now in paperback and eBook on Amazon, get your copy today.