Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., USA (ret.)
is “a 1949 graduate of the United States Military Academy and has a Master’s Degree in Personnel Administration
from George Washington University. His military education includes the Branch Immaterial Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course,
Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College, and Army War College. His
military training includes Airborne, Ranger, Glider, Special Forces, Jungle Warfare, Winter Training, SCUBA, Skiing, and Lancero
(Colombian Army) Courses.” (National Infantry Foundation)
Colonel Ralph Puckett was the recipient
of the 2004 West Point Distinguished Graduate award from the West Point Association of Graduates. The award,
said, in part, “After graduating from West Point, where he captained the Army Boxing Team, then-Second Lieutenant Puckett
deployed to Japan, where he recruited and trained a Ranger company for critical operations in Korea. Puckett led them heroically.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in November 1950, when he led his small company in a legendary
and desperate defense against multiple assaults by hundreds of Chinese attackers. He did so while sustaining multiple severe
wounds.
In 1967, then-Lieutenant Colonel Puckett commanded the 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry
(Airborne) of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross for heroic leadership
in August 1967. During a dire, night-long defense near Chu Lai, he inspired his soldiers, who rallied to repel the attacking
North Vietnamese. A rifle platoon leader preparing for a "last stand" recalled Colonel Puckett's effect on the
nearly exhausted soldiers: " . . . word of Colonel Puckett's arrival spread like wildfire. We all stiffened up and
felt that nothing bad could happen now because the Ranger was with us." Whether in combat actions such as this one and
others in Vietnam, or as Commander, 1st Regiment of the United States Corps of Cadets, or later, as Commander, 1st Brigade,
5th Infantry Division, Colonel Puckett had a reputation for staying with his soldiers until the hardship or danger had passed.
A gentleman, teacher, family man, and mentor, he is, above all, a warrior with a passion for soldiers.” Colonel Ralph
Puckett is the author of Words for Warriors: A Professional Soldier's Notebook.
One reader of Words for
Warriors: A Professional Soldier's Notebook said, “When I was a college student in the early 60's
I thought it rather odd that one of the required readings for a management class was the book "The Art of War" by
Sun Tzu. I had just served a two year enlistment in the U.S. Army (most of it at school) and thought I was done with military
topics. I soon learned why that book was studied in management classes and is considered a classic study of competition and
conflict in general.
The book by Ralph Puckett (Col. USA
Ret) "Words for Warriors" like "The Art of War" is not just for military leaders. Executives,
managers and would be managers will find it an invaluable asset in learning how to lead. Whether it is leading a corporate
board or a shift crew at a fast food restaurant, the reader will find topics relevant to the situation. Col. Puckett is a professional soldier, a distinguished
graduate of the United States Military Academy. He spent virtually his entire career leading troops in peace and war. He recounts
many of his personal experiences, as well as those of other military professionals, and how each relates to the end product
of "getting the job done." Sections such as training, taking care of soldiers (employees), personal life, strategy
and goals are broken down into easy to read and understand incidents. The book is an easy read, and is clear and concise.
In addition to being a very interesting and informative book, I would also recommend it as a reference book to be consulted
often by anyone who wants to be a leader that "gets the job done.”
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According to the book description of
Words for Warriors: A Professional Soldier's Notebook, it “is about leadership-leadership
on the battlefield and in the garrison. Colonel Ralph Puckett, a Ranger legend, shares what he has learned in more than fifty-eight
years of training, leading, teaching, and mentoring Warriors. This book addresses tactics, training, administration, special
staff, public relations, self-development, and myriad other subjects that are the responsibilities of commanders. Much of
this advice will be useful to business leaders as well.
The essays within are not limited to
Colonel Puckett's experience. They draw heavily upon the experiences of others to provide a broad discussion of practical
courses of action for the many challenges that confront leaders. This invaluable resource presents ideas that will help commanders
with many of the problems that are part of everyday military life. Words for Warriors helps fill the gap between what is taught
in our service schools and lessons learned through experience.”
Another reader of Words
for Warriors: A Professional Soldier's Notebook said, “As one who has survived brutal engagements
and has seen the precepts of the great military leaders put to the test, Col. Puckett's zeal for building great leaders
comes through on every page. In our family's consumer product business, this book would have really helped me in my early
years to lead my 100-plus `troops' successfully.
WFW centers on the training of the
Unit Leader, the most critical management position in any organization; if he fails, the entire organization fails. Managers
of all fields will benefit from this inspiring collection of essays, and the focus on key subject areas (such as Command and
Staff, Unit Training, Personal Development, and The Goal). Col. Puckett's conversational tone will
infect you with his passion for making subordinate officers strong and successful ... and give you an immersive experience
of leadership principles in action. His personal story blended with the advice of military greats like Alexander, Napoleon
and Eisenhower make the pages come to life and will remind you why Col. Puckett has received many of the highest leadership
awards the Army bestows.
For the last 10 years, he has served
as Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment - coaching Rangers in training and on the field in Afghanistan and Iraq. Col.
Richard Clarke, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, says of Ralph Puckett: "No other Ranger in the history of the
Rangers has influenced as many Soldiers as he has."
Words for Warriors will stay with me
as an inspiration and a reference for years to come. In the words of famed Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore, this is "the
absolute best book on military leadership that I have ever read.”
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