EXCERPTS - DOORSTEPS OF HELL
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Integrity — Do the Right Thing, Even When It Costs You
During my first tour in Vietnam, platoon commanders were routinely rotated out of the bush after six months, while the enlisted Marines they led remained there for thirteen. I believed the policy was unfair and, after exhausting my efforts to remain with my platoon, requested a transfer to 1st Recon rather than accept an administrative posting.
I was there to lead, fight alongside my men and share their risks—not receive special consideration because I was an officer. To remain silent would have compromised something far more important to me: my integrity.
Compromise your integrity and you
lose your ability to lead—
and the willingness of others to follow.
Why was I prepared to give up the relative safety of an administrative posting to remain in the field?
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CHAPTER 16
RETURN TO THE
RICE PADDIES
PAGE 289
It takes time to know your individual Marines and learn the lay of the land where you’re fighting. From the average grunt’s perspective—Marines required to do 13 months in the bush with no break other than a brief R&R unless killed, wounded or maimed—the rotation policy produced resentment toward platoon leaders. The enlisted Marines viewed them as not entirely sharing the risks, deprivation, and emotional burdens of combat. I chose to request a transfer to 1st Recon after exhausting all my options to remain with my platoon. I could see the inequity of the rotation policy and certainly didn’t want to be seen by my Marines as supporting it. I was there to be a leader, fight alongside my men, and make a difference—not receive special consideration just because I was an officer. I was, first and foremost, a Marine. Additionally, I felt that to be silent about the policy was to agree with it, a path that directly conflicted with my ethics and would blemish my integrity. Integrity tests how you handle challenges—a test of your mettle and a validation of your values. Compromise your integrity, and you lose your ability to lead. But even worse, you will lose the willingness of your subordinates to follow! This value cannot be bought and will not make you rich. Integrity is something you give yourself and cannot be taken away, always ensuring you do the right thing for the right reasons, regardless of the consequences.
CHAPTER 5
AGRARIAN DREAMS AND
THE JD SHORT FARM
PAGE 59
Fortunately, I soon made a lifelong friend who served as both a confidante and somewhat of an academic example, though I never came close to his ability in the second regard. I met Jim Roberts shortly after returning from Japan and moving back into the farming community of Dooly County, Georgia. My academic prowess in high school didn’t compare to Jim’s, for I was seldom interested in any subject other than history and language. But he was one of those rare and genuine friends who inspires easy comfort, trust, and a sense of one’s value. I never engaged in lengthy conversations with my classmates nor divulged my experiences to anyone, except for the rare occasions my schoolteachers questioned me about them. But Jim was different. He was very curious to know about ‘this guy Tom Williams’ and always asked me questions—where I’d been, what I’d seen. Slowly but surely, followed by quickly, Jim drew stories out of me. And because of our close relationship, he saw in me what others failed to see. Unfortunately, Jim passed away in 2020. But throughout the intervening decades, he remained a true friend. Jim was among the select few people I ever allowed into my trust and confidence. While I possessed some interesting and unique knowledge and personal experiences, only he was ever aware of them as a young man. To the other farm kids, I was an enigma. I had unknowingly developed an extreme pickiness regarding the people I chose as friends—a realization of the proverb, “A man is known by the company he keeps.” Selfish friends may lead you astray, but real friends will always want the best for you, provide feedback on improving yourself, and help you make good decisions. Jim was one such true and dear lifelong friend.
Surround yourself with people
who bring out the best in you.
As a young man, I was fortunate to find a lifelong friend in Jim Roberts. Jim was academically gifted, naturally curious and, perhaps most importantly, saw something in me that others often failed to see.
Over the years, that friendship taught me the value of choosing carefully the people we allow into our lives.
True friends don't simply stand beside us—
they encourage us to become
better versions of ourselves.
Jim was one of those rare friends, and his influence remained with me throughout my life.
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CHAPTER 7
PREPARING FOR COMMISSIONING,
COMBAT AND CAREER
PAGE 116
There is a unique strength and dedicated devotion that binds those of us who attended NGC. It does not matter the number of years that have passed between visits, communications, or reunions. Our friendship and camaraderie are ageless and enduring. That is who we are! Along the road through life, the milestones that best defined me include earning the title “Marine,” being tapped by my peers into the Scabbard and Blade, becoming an NGC alumnus, and my marriage and life with Mary. Whether in America, Italy, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, or Vietnam, I have consistently had the distinct pleasure of meeting new NGC alumni or renewing associations with many of my fellow graduates. Looking back, it seems obvious that I discovered my self-worth at NGC. I was mentally and physically better equipped than most of my generation for military life, and I’d found a home among equals and kindred spirits at college. Perhaps legendary Admiral William Halsey, Jr. said it best: “There aren’t any great men. There are just great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet.” By the time I drove away from NGC to Quantico, VA, in a new green 1968 Pontiac Firebird, I felt confident that I could not have been better prepared—physically or mentally with a knowledge of military skills. I had already demonstrated leadership by example and the ability to make intuitive, snap decisions under stressful conditions. I had learned to be self confident, aggressive, bold, and daring without being reckless. I’d never been good at taking written exams, yet I knew myself well enough to know that I just needed to pay attention, take notes as I had in college, and study those notes thoroughly before each exam. That lesson learned served me well as a Marine officer candidate. I arrived at Quantico the night before I needed to report to Officer Candidate School HQ and vividly recall my inability to sleep at the Triangle Virginia Holiday Inn. The words passing through my mind repeatedly punctuated a restless night’s sleep: Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of my life.
Be Bold -
But Never Reckless
By the time I left North Georgia College for Officer Candidate School, I had learned to trust my judgment and make decisions under pressure. I had become more confident, aggressive and willing to take calculated risks—but I'd also learned an important distinction.
Courage and confidence should never be confused with recklessness.
Those qualities would soon become an
important part of the Marine—
and the leader—I was about to become.
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