A unique anthology of leadership lessons written by six former senior enlisted advisors to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Six outstanding American military leaders served our nation admirably and now share their life experiences and the leadership lessons they learned. This book is a must-read for all service members—both enlisted and officer—aspiring to be successful leaders in uniform and beyond. Thank you to each of the authors for selflessly sharing their experiences and insights on leadership and life.” — Gen. Frank J. Grass, U.S. Army (retired) 27th Chief of the National Guard Bureau (2012–2016) Breaching the Summit 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. With invaluable lessons this is a book for junior service members, senior enlisted leaders, officers, and leaders in civilian life. Includes contributions by: Ken Preston, 13th Sergeant Major of the Army (retired) Mike Barrett, 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (retired) Rick West, 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (retired) James Roy, 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (retired) Denise Jelinski-Hall, 3rd Senior Enlisted Advisor to the National Guard Bureau (retired) Skip Bowen, 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (retired) Table of Contents Foreword Editor's Note Kenneth O. Preston, 13th Sergeant Major of the Army Soldier for Life An Ideal Command Climate The Promotion Process Growing Leaders Learning from Failure 11 Principles of Leadership Be Ready for Opportunities Transitioning Micheal P. Barrett, 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps What Got Me Here Checklists and Habits Character Cultivate Your People Optimal Combat Readiness Give Your All Transitioning Rick D. West, 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy A Strong Work Ethic The Navy is a Team Sport Attention to Detail Personal Growth Effective Communication Attitude is Everything Rely on Family Transitioning James A. Roy, 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Where I Came From High Expectations Trust and Autonomy Strengthen Your Family Care at a Personal Level Joint and Coalition Forces Lead by Example Transitioning Denise M. Jelinski-Hall, 3rd Senior Enlisted Advisor to the National Guard Bureau Life on the Prairie Trust Your Intuition Embrace Challenges and Take Risks Moving On after Mistakes Positive Attitude Be Ready Take Care of Your People Recognize Accomplishments Expectations and Accountability A Man's World Have Faith Transitioning Charles W. "Skip" Bowen, 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Future Guardian Lead Boldly Lead by Example Situational Awareness Leadership and Risk Management Communicate Effectively Tenacity Transitioning Afterword "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 "The rich, story-filled book provides a worthwhile volume of leadership lessons supported by personal stories and service-specific examples that bring to life the shining examples that are pedestals for many to ascend their own summit." Journal of Military History "To those outside the military, and even to those serving, the rank structure can sometimes be over simplified. It appears that we rack and stack everyone in the organization, and the person with the most rank ‘wins’—he or she is in charge, and everyone else has to follow orders that flow from the top. While there is certainly benefit in adhering to a chain of command, the interaction between the various ranks up and down that chain, officer and enlisted, becomes the connective tissue that creates a cohesive, successful organization inside of which good decisions and high morale thrive. The most senior member of a unit has the responsibility—and the honor—of leading. But to be successful, the planning and decision-making at the top must reflect a thorough understanding of the strengths at every level of the organization, for it is the enlisted leaders who will ultimately execute those plans in battle, and win." Foreward by General Peter Pace, U.S. Marine Corps, 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff “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 boo