What Now, Lieutenant?: Leadership Forged from Events in Vietnam, Desert Storm and Beyond

by Richard Neal

ON THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS COMMANDANTS PROFESSIONAL READING LISTWars fought on a grand scale with global consequences are made up of countless smaller battles and events. For the men who fought, bled and died in them they are not small--those little pieces of war--and the personal aftermath and their effect is beyond measure. One such battle pitted a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) battalion of 700+ men against the men of Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division. Of the seven officers in the field at the beginning, only three walked out. I was one of them. I was 24 years old, and this was my first significant combat experience (and surprisingly, what happened--what I was called upon to do, was something I never imagined. What came afterward defined me for the rest of my life). The fighting lasted six hours, and toward the end, we were almost out of ammunition. Those few hours changed forever the lives of the survivors, including me, and the next of kin of the men we lost. That battle was the crucial event in my life; an ultimate What Now, Lieutenant? moment that taught me so much that came into play in other such moments in my future. True, they would not be as traumatic as what I experienced as a lieutenant, but they were moments that whether I was a lieutenant, major or general, each forced me to call upon my experience, knowledge, training and common sense to respond appropriately. That phrase... that question with all it entails and how one responds when it's asked of them... seemed to fit best as a title for what you're reading now. Seeing that question in the eyes of the men on Hill 70 that day is how I learned a most valuable lesson about leadership over the course of a bloody day in Vietnam, now more than 49 years ago. Everything that happened to me after that day is now seen through that prism. --Butch Neal

Genres: Military Fiction, War, Leadership, History, Nonfiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2017

Reviews

[BookTrotter · Rating 1 out of 5]

My low rating on this book isn't because I doubt his accomplishments or authenticity of the quality of who he is and the leader he was/is, but I expected more from this book because of all that he has done. He has lived quite an extensive life and had a plethora of experiences and I wish he expounded more on those life experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of the book that covered his childhood because it clearly laid the foundation of explaining why he is the way that he is. The rest of the book read as a laundry list of all his job moves and accomplishments. There was a slight tinge of a deeper examination of how the Vietnam War affected him, but he generally glossed over that significant portion of his life then proceeded to list all the career advancements he had.

My general feeling of this book was that I felt frustrated. I wanted more from him in examining all that he had done and not only how deeply it impacted him, but his family as well. I also felt frustrated in that it seemed that almost everyone he worked with was "a real professional". I'm sure he worked with some quality people, but I also felt that this was an annoyingly diplomatic way of not wanting to go into the more messy descriptions of working with those that were difficult to work with.

Overall, I feel that if he had a Wikipedia page, that and his book would essentially be the same thing.

[William J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a leader or would like to lead any organization, then this book should be on your reading list! It is chalk full of tips for how to be a leader and how to continue to develop as a leader! It is not so much a memoir of General Richard "Butch" Neal, USMC Retired as it is a book dedicated to the leadership development of the reader. It is however based on the career experiences of a man who became Assistant Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. Often in his career he faced the question, "what now?" As a leader all those whom you lead look to you for direction in all situations. As a brand new Second Lieutenant acting as a Forward Observer (FO) with a Marine Infantry Company in his first battle in Vietnam, 2LT Neal went from FO to command of the company when all of the more senior leaders were killed or wounded. It was the ultimate "What Now Lieutenant?" situation! He gathered the Non-commissioned Officers and remaining Officers together and face to face explained what to do and made clear their instructions. He calls this "Eyeball Level Leadership!" He followed this dictum his entire career. Progressing through the ranks over the years General Neal had many assignments. Some he did not particularly desire but another of his developmental lessons is the "Grow where you are planted!" In other words, do the best job you can do in the assignment you have and it will be noticed. As I have said previously, this book is full of such tips for those who want to succeed as leaders. I strongly recommend it to all who have such ambitions!

[Jonathan Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rising to the Occasion

In addition to its obvious value as a historical reference, this memoir resonates with me and serves as a reminder that service members must be ready to "rise to the occasion" in a moment's notice, regardless of rank and position. General Neal's experiences show that these occasions often present in different forms and the importance of using past experiences, training, and relationships to perform. This book is an easy read and left me feeling motivated by the end.

[Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An autobiographical account of a retired Marine General taking the reader through his multiple moments of how he responded to those "What now Lieutenant moments" that so often arise for the military officer. I read this during TBS after it was recommended and I did enjoy it as it was easy to read and follow and gave some fair insight of what an Officer may be exposed to. Motivated officer book for sure, but recommend to any military Lieutenant.

[Tom Hanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by a great Marine

General Neal tells a very inspirational story with loads of lessons for junior, mid-grade and senior Marines. Civilians will learn about their Corp’s ethos and leadership style from a real professional. And all of us who’ve been away from active duty for awhile will be reminded of why our Corps is so special.

[Frank Lassen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership is very important in life

This man gave a lot of his life for our country and helped to make needed changes that were needed for the good of the services.
Thank God for men like him who put God ,country and family first in their lives .

[Lorenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons in leadership from a lifetime of service. Gen. Neal writes a compelling and easy-to-read chronology of his life to include his childhood upbringing to being a junior officer in Vietnam to being the de facto spokesperson for the coalition during Operation Desert Storm.

[Kevin Provencal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Hero

I loved everything about it. Of course I might be a bit partial being from Boston and also a Marine. I idolize General Neal for so many reasons and he was a real life super hero as far as I am concerned

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

General Neal book on his biography and life in the USMC

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many lessons packed into the captivating storyline that was General Neal’s life. Really enjoyed every aspect of this book.

[Sam Follett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that gave a broad overview of General Neal’s experience throughout his life. He focused on points that were important to leadership and gave a great perspective and outlook.

[Susan Ovans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Millions of Americans came to know now retired Gen. Richard 'Butch' Neal through his daily press briefings as deputy director of operations for Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf during Desert Storm. During many televised briefings, we came to know him and be reassured by his affable, forthright, and knowledgeable persona. [It certainly was different from today's press briefings.] "What Now, Lieutenant" is part memoir, part life-coach manual, and it's a compelling read.
He describes the book as a "collection of moments" – ranging from his upbringing in a small Massachusetts town, to the most pivotal one, on a battlefield in Vietnam, to Desert Storm, and the years before his retirement as a four-star general and the assistant commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.
As I read the book, I kept updating a list of friends and family members who would be interested in reading it. My list includes all kinds of people - male and female, those who are just starting out in a career, those in the midst of one, and those, like me, who are contemplating the next life chapter. Gen. Neal found a full, new life after the Marine Corps. Maybe there's a sequel in the offing: "What Now, General?"