Breaching the Summit: Leadership Lessons from the U.S. Military's Best

A unique anthology of leadership lessons written by six former senior enlisted advisorsto the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This book brings together the stories of six former senior enlisted advisors to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Each tells in their own words how they got their start, how mentors encouraged them along the way, and how they eventually became the highest-ranking enlisted member in their respective service. . Each tells their story in their own words, sharing how they rose to the top of their service through hard work, perseverance, and by following the example of other good leaders . Valuable lessons not only for those in the military but in all walks of life

Table of Contents:
Foreword Editor's Note Kenneth O. Preston, 13th Sergeant Major of the Army Micheal P. Barrett, 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Rick D. West, 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James A. Roy, CMSAF Air Force Denise M. Jelinski-Hall, 3rd Senior Enlisted Advisor to the National Guard Bureau Charles W. "Skip" Bowen, 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Afterword

Review :
"A major strength of the US military is its noncommissioned officer corps, and that success is on full view in Breaching the Summit."-- "Air & Space Power Journal" "Showcasing invaluable life lessons within the context of military experiences, Breaching the Summit: Leadership Lessons from the U.S. Military's Best will prove to be of special and particular interest to junior military service members, senior enlisted leaders and officers, as well as political and corporate leaders in civilian life."-- "Midwest Book Review" "Breaching the Summit gives a rare glimpse into the lives of leaders who served in the highest enlisted positions in the U.S. military. A must-read for any leader who'd like to make a difference in their organization--there's more common ground than you might think! Problem solvers, influencers, getting pushed out of their comfort zones, and passing it along were a few chunks that jumped out at me. Bravo on this collaboration of some AWESOME human beings!"--Chief Master Sgt. Marty Klukas, U.S. Air Force (retired), Command Senior Enlisted Leader, USTRANSCOM (2011-2014) "Breaching the Summit is a motivating and inspiring read. The life lessons and stories shared will serve readers from any walk of life. The wisdom of these senior enlisted leaders in our U.S. military, tempered with their great sense of humility, reaffirms what makes our nation great. The advice these remarkable patriots have given has personally and professionally benefited me."--Chief Master Sgt. James A. Cody, U.S. Air Force (retired), 17th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (2013-2017) "Breaching the Summit is an amazing blend of leadership lessons from six very successful military leaders who started in humble beginnings and advanced to the highest levels of the enlisted corps. Their ability to weave personal and professional insights on their journey to mastering their tradecraft and leadership skills provides a blueprint of success for others. The evolutionary journey of learning leadership, practicing leadership, and then executing leadership is highlighted through their experiences. For those just starting their leadership journey and those who are seasoned leaders, there is much to be learned in this book."--Chief Master Sgt. Steve McDonald, U.S. Air Force (retired), Command Chief, Air Combat Command (2014-2017) "Breaching the Summit is a colorful and compelling look at the formative years, experiences, and philosophies behind our nation's preeminent senior enlisted leaders. America's faith in and empowerment of its enlisted corps has long been recognized as our true strategic advantage when it comes to military success at sea, in the air, and on land. Preston, Barrett, West, Roy, Jelinski-Hall, and Bowen show how humble beginnings and solid, consistent principles fueled their journeys and struck a chord with a generation of troops inclined to question the motives and methods of leadership. A must-read for anyone seeking insight on how to get the most out of people, or for anyone who doubts the tenacity of our young men and women wearing the uniform today."--Command Master Chief Scott Fleming, U.S. Navy (retired), Joint Task Force Guantanamo, MCPON Executive Assistant (2011-2013) "Breaching the Summit is a must-read for those in leadership, those striving to become leaders, or those who want to become a better version of themselves. You will learn traits you want to possess, traits you already have and have forgotten, and traits that will guide you through your own leadership. You will connect and reminisce through the stories that helped mold these average individuals to become six of our top enlisted military leaders. Learn from their lessons of leadership as you become familiar with who they were before they became who they are now."--Pam Swan, Director, Military Relations for Veterans United Home Loans "Breaching the Summit is an insightful, informative walk through the phases of an enlisted career from some of the most successful leaders in modern history. This is a must-read primer for anyone on a journey through the ranks of our glorious military. Read this book. Learn from the real-life lessons that molded some of our greatest enlisted leaders."--Chief Master Sgt. John M. Harris, U.S. Air National Guard (retired), Command Chief Master Sergeant, Louisiana ANG (2006-2010), President, EANGUS "A collection of personal vignettes that teach practical leadership lessons, Breaching the Summit is a must-read for leaders at all levels. The authors have served as their services' highest-ranking noncommissioned officers and are the epitome of the U.S. military's professional, all-volunteer force."--Gen. Ed Eberhart, U.S. Air Force (retired), Commander, NORAD/USNORTHCOM (2002-2005) "Books on leadership are many, but none are as practical, clear, and proven as Breaching the Summit. Sure to be of value to every level of military leader, it is equally relevant and valuable to leaders in government, in businesses of every size, and in every boardroom. The uniquely experienced, gifted, and tested authors have led, inspired, and mentored thousands in their extraordinary careers of service to our nation. They lived, observed, and led from the most junior ranks to the pinnacle of military service--they walked the talk. This book should be at the very top of every leader's list, to be read and reread."--Adm. Gary Roughead, U.S. Navy (retired), Chief of Naval Operations (2007-2011) "Brilliantly illustrating the concept 'grow where you're planted, ' Breaching the Summit highlights six disparate individuals' adaptation of the basic tenets of leadership on their journey to the top of their respective services. Whether you are just beginning your own journey, or merely searching for additional inspiration to refine your own leadership style, the principles stressed in these pages provide a solid foundation for success."--Force Master Chief Johnny Walker, U.S. Navy (retired), Naval Education and Training Command (2007-2009), MCPON Executive Assistant (2009-2011) "This book offers exceptional insight into what has shaped some of the finest senior enlisted leaders in modern history. Through easy-to-follow stories, Breaching the Summit showcases the impact small life events have in developing leaders. This team of authors has captured service-specific leadership challenges that have significance in today's joint warfighting environment, and I would consider Breaching the Summit a must-read for officers and senior enlisted looking to lead the military into the future."--Fleet Master Chief Mark Rudes, U.S. Navy (retired), Senior Enlisted Leader, PACOM (2012-2016) "With stories from the lives and experiences of six of our top enlisted military leaders, Breaching the Summit offers the gift of leadership honing. This book is not only a must-read for current and future military leaders, but for those in the civilian sector as well. These warriors allow you to experience their personal stories of highs and lows on their way to the top enlisted leadership billet of each military branch. Though different in the challenges they faced, they are the same in telling the reason for their successes. Patton once said: 'Your character is defined by how high you bounce when you hit bottom.' Each chapter illustrates how they took challenges head on and bounced to the pinnacle position of their respective professions. They suffered the pain of discipline to not suffer the pain of regret. I have added this to my professional library of leadership and urge all leaders--present and future--to do the same."--1st Sgt. Mark Gordon, U.S. Marine Corps (retired) "Written by proven senior enlisted leaders, Breaching the Summit is a compendium of personal and professional experiences that distills success for all who choose the life of servant leadership in our military."--Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Ripka, U.S. Army (retired), Command Senior Enlisted Leader, USJFCOM/USAFRICOM (2007-2011)