Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer shares how failure, realism in training, and ruthless self-assessment shaped his leadership journey and what the Army must do now to prepare for tomorrow. In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer joins Moments in Leadership to talk about what it truly takes to lead in today’s military—and why the journey never ends. From his early days as a driven, overconfident PFC to becoming the Army’s senior enlisted leader, SMA Weimer reflects candidly on his own formative moments, including failure during pre-scuba and the lessons that followed. He offers real talk on leadership, humility, building trust with junior leaders, and why “empathy isn’t soft—it’s tactical.”

We dive deep into what makes leadership in special operations uniquely difficult, the myth of the “gold-plated lesson,” and the difference between mission command and micromanagement. You’ll hear his take on complacency, the pitfalls of artificial readiness, and what leaders can do—right now—to reclaim white space, raise standards, and forge the kind of disciplined, lethal teams the future demands.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone serious about servant leadership, readiness, and building winning teams.

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Resources:
"Combat Doesn’t Care: How Ready Are You?" By 17th Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer

In this episode, SgtMaj David Wilson, Command Senior Enlisted Leader of II MEF, shares hard-earned leadership lessons from over 30 years in the Marine Corps. From being meritoriously promoted through the ranks to leading Marines in the Battle of Fallujah, SgtMaj Wilson reflects on mentorship, emotional intelligence, and why some combat lessons shouldn't be “gold-plated.” A must-listen for any emerging leader.

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Email: themiloffice@gmail.com

In this episode, Major General Bill Bowers, Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, shares powerful leadership lessons from his time as a young lieutenant to a two-star general, reflecting on mentorship, peer accountability, recruiting challenges, and the evolving responsibilities of military leadership.

Welcome to the first Moments in Leadership episode of 2025! This episode marks four years of the podcast, and we’re honored to feature Major General Bill Bowers, Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruiting Command. A longtime friend of host David B. Armstrong, General Bowers reflects on his leadership journey, the critical role of mentorship, and how peer accountability shaped his career from his early days as a young lieutenant to his current role leading Marine Corps recruiting.

In this engaging and insightful conversation, General Bowers and Dave discuss:

• The power of peer accountability and why young leaders need idealism
• Lessons from early leadership mistakes and the importance of learning from failure
• How mentorship from senior enlisted leaders can shape careers
• The challenges of recruiting and retaining the right Marines in today’s environment
• The role of awards and recognition in motivating Marines
• How young officers can prepare for command and build lasting relationships

General Bowers also shares incredible stories from his time in the field, including a mess night surprise that changed a Marine’s future and how recruiting is more than just numbers—it’s about changing lives.

Whether you’re a junior officer, an aspiring leader, or someone interested in the inner workings of Marine Corps leadership, this episode delivers practical leadership lessons, personal anecdotes, and deep insights from one of the Marine Corps’ top generals.

Support the Show & Stay Connected:

• Support the project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast
• Visit the Moments in Leadership website: Website
• Follow on Instagram: Instagram
• Email: themiloffice@gmail.com

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