Write It Down: General George on Reflection, Reading, and Readiness

16 snips

Mar 21, 2025

General Randy George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, shares valuable insights from his extensive leadership experience. He talks about the transformative power of personal notebooks for reflection and decision-making. The discussion dives into the vital role of reading, especially military literature, in fostering intellectual curiosity. George highlights the importance of bottom-up innovation and consistent communication within the Army, emphasizing how engaging with troops drives progress. Personal values and honest feedback are key themes in his approach to effective leadership.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

JMRC Visit

General George visited the 310th Mountain Brigade at JMRC and observed their training in harsh winter conditions.
This reinforced his belief in bottom-up innovation and its importance in transforming the Army.

ANECDOTE

Direct Feedback

Visiting the 310th Mountain Brigade at JMRC, General George witnessed soldiers providing direct feedback on equipment.
A platoon sergeant gave feedback to the president of GM Defense about necessary changes to the infantry squad vehicle.

ADVICE

Consistent Communication

Be consistent in your messaging, even if you make adjustments as situations change.
Repeat your message frequently through different mediums to ensure it reaches everyone.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Exercise of Power

American Failures, Successes, and a New Path Forward in the Post-Cold War World

Robert Gates

In 'Exercise of Power', Robert Gates provides a sweeping analysis of how American power has been exercised since the end of the Cold War. He argues that the U.S. has relied too heavily on military power, neglecting other instruments like diplomacy, economics, and strategic communications. Gates offers lessons from past successes and failures to guide future national security strategies.

The forgotten soldier

Guy SAJER

The Forgotten Soldier is a memoir by Guy Sajer, detailing his experiences as a teenager in the German army during World War II. The book provides a vivid and brutal portrayal of life on the Eastern Front, focusing on the psychological journey of a soldier amidst the horrors of war. It is known for its lyrical storytelling and honest depiction of the deprivations and terror faced by soldiers.

Band of Brothers

Stephen E. Ambrose

This book is an examination of the lives of the soldiers in E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. It is based on interviews with former members of the company and focuses on their experiences from training through their combat missions, highlighting the strong bonds of brotherhood that developed among them. The book covers their journey from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest, detailing their struggles, sacrifices, and the close-knit relationships they formed.

D-Day

June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II

Stephen E. Ambrose

This book is the epic story of men at the most demanding moment of their lives, when the horrors, complexities, and triumphs of life are laid bare. Distinguished historian Stephen E. Ambrose portrays the faces of courage and heroism, fear and determination—what Eisenhower called “the fury of an aroused democracy”—that shaped the victory of the citizen soldiers whom Hitler had disparaged. The action begins at midnight, June 5/6, when the first British and American airborne troops jumped into France, and ends at midnight, June 6/7. The book draws on more than 1,400 interviews with American, British, Canadian, French, and German veterans, revealing how the original plans for the invasion had to be abandoned and how enlisted men and junior officers acted on their own initiative.

Gates of fire

Steven Pressfield

Gates of Fire tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae through the eyes of Xeones, a wounded Greek soldier who recounts his life and the events leading up to the battle. The novel explores Spartan culture, the rigorous training regimen known as the *agoge*, and the heroic stand of the Spartans against the overwhelming forces of the Persian Empire. The story is framed as a series of interviews between Xeones and members of the Persian court, detailing the battle and its aftermath, as well as the personal and philosophical aspects of Spartan warfare and culture[1][3][5].

When We Were Soldiers Once... and Young

Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway

Battlegrounds

The Fight to Defend the Free World

H. R. McMaster

In 'Battlegrounds', H.R. McMaster identifies six significant arenas where the United States must compete: Russia, China, South Asia, the Middle East, Iran, and North Korea. He provides a historical diagnosis of the threats posed by each and proposes a framework for competition. McMaster argues that the U.S. has lost ground globally since the end of the Cold War due to a failure to understand adversaries' motives and interests. The book emphasizes the need for 'strategic empathy' and a clear-eyed approach to national security, critiquing past administrations for their naivety and advocating for a more resolute and coherent foreign policy strategy.

The forgotten soldier

Guy SAJER

Leadership In Turbulent Times

Doris Kearns Goodwin

In this book, Doris Kearns Goodwin examines the leadership skills of four U.S. presidents through their experiences during significant crises. The book is organized into three parts: the early days and ambitions of each president, their overcoming of significant early obstacles, and their leadership strategies during their presidencies. Goodwin delves into how each president—Lincoln during the Emancipation Proclamation, Theodore Roosevelt during the coal strike, Franklin Roosevelt during his first 100 days, and Lyndon Johnson during the Civil Rights Act—demonstrated unique leadership qualities that enabled them to surmount challenges and make significant impacts on the nation.

Once An Eagle

America's War and Peace

Anton Myrer

The novel tells the story of Sam Damon, a soldier committed to honor and duty, and his lifelong adversary, Courtney Massengale, who advances through ambition and connections. The narrative spans multiple conflicts, from the trenches of World War I to the jungles of World War II and the battlegrounds of Vietnam. It explores the complexities of military life, leadership, and the personal sacrifices that accompany military service. Through Sam Damon's journey, the book articulates profound lessons on service, ethics, and the realities of conflict, making it a tribute and a somber reflection on military life and universal themes of integrity, family, and sacrifice.

In Love and War

The Story of a Family's Ordeal and Sacrifice During the Vietnam Years

Sybil Stockdale

James Stockdale

In Love and War is a compelling memoir co-authored by James B. Stockdale and his wife Sybil. The book recounts James' harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and Sybil's courageous efforts to raise awareness about the plight of American POWs. The narrative alternates between James' time in captivity and Sybil's battles with bureaucracy and her role in founding the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.

Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

Doris Kearns Goodwin

This book is a multiple biography centered on Abraham Lincoln's mastery of men and how it shaped the most significant presidency in the nation's history. It explores how Lincoln, despite being a one-term congressman and prairie lawyer, rose to become president by incorporating his rivals—William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, and Edward Bates—into his cabinet. The book details Lincoln's extraordinary ability to understand and empathize with others, which enabled him to create an unusual but effective cabinet. It also delves into the challenges Lincoln faced, including incompetent generals, hostile congressmen, and the internal dynamics of his cabinet, highlighting his political genius and managerial skills[1][3][5].

From the Shadows of Vietnam

George C. Herring

Platoon leader

James R. McDonough

Platoon Leader is a memoir that provides a vivid and personal account of James R. McDonough's time in Vietnam. It explores the challenges of leadership, the realities of combat, and the moral complexities of war. McDonough's narrative offers insights into the human spirit under duress and the lasting impact of war on soldiers. The book is both a personal story and a broader commentary on the nature of war.

The Age of Eisenhower

America and the World in the 1950s

William I. Hitchcock

The Age of Eisenhower provides an insightful and authoritative account of Dwight Eisenhower's presidency, detailing his leadership through crises like McCarthyism, the Korean War, and civil rights turmoil. Drawing on declassified documents, Hitchcock portrays Eisenhower as a skilled leader who navigated partisanship and expanded America's military capabilities while cautioning against the military-industrial complex.

Send us a text

In this episode of From the Green Notebook, General Randy George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, returns to discuss the habits, practices, and mindset that have shaped his leadership journey. From the pocket-sized notebook he started as a field grade officer to the lessons he's learning from visiting troops and reading deeply, General George offers a candid reflection on growth, command, and staying grounded in your values.

In this conversation, they discuss:

The leadership lessons General George captured in his personal notebook and how reflection has guided him through multiple levels of command
The role reading plays in staying intellectually curious and professionally sharp, including the books that have shaped his thinking
How bottom-up innovation is driving the Army’s "Transforming in Contact" initiative and what he’s learning from frontline units
The importance of consistency in communication and why leaders must seek out and act on honest feedback
How personal values—and regular conversations with his spouse—help him stay aligned with what matters most, both in and out of uniform

This episode is brought to you by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).
We know the U.S. Army protects our freedoms every day—but have you ever thought about who’s protecting the U.S. Army? Meet AUSA—the Army’s premier professional association, dedicated to supporting every aspect of the Army journey.

This year marks an incredible milestone: 250 years of the U.S. Army defending our nation. To celebrate, AUSA is offering exclusive Premium membership discounts for a limited time:

2 years for just $30 (normally $40)
5 years for $50 (normally $75)
Lifetime membership for only $250 (normally $400)

Premium members receive top-tier benefits, including a subscription to ARMY magazine and access to over $300,000 in scholarships.

Join now and stand with those who serve. Sign up today at ausa.org/membership/premium—no code necessary.
AUSA—Supporting Soldiers. Strengthening America.

And don’t forget to check out AUSA’s official podcast, Army Matters.
Hosted by LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey, Army Matters brings you in-depth conversations with Army leaders past, present, and future—from the battlefields to the boardrooms and beyond. New episodes drop every other Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts.