Health Information Technology

The article “How Marine Lost His Command In Race To Baghdad” is about Col. Joe Dowdy a 24 year veteran of US Marines who lost command in the midst of a battle in Iraq. Col. Dowdy was relieved of command and sent back to the United States. For a leader who had aspirations of moving up in ranks and perhaps one day becoming a general this was devastating. Col. Dowdy said himself that he would rather take an enemy bullet than be dismissed from command of his marines. He believed in his people and would set an example for them. As an officer he could have enjoyed many more privileges but instead he refused, as his soldiers could not have the same. He was close to other marines and all the marines trusted in Col. Dowdy. Col. Dowdy was on a mission toward Baghdad when he was ordered to go through the town of Kut. His orders were to go either through the town or around it. Col. Dowdy knew that Kut was a dangerous place and if he was to go his crew would run into resistance and his crew could experience losses. As a Colonel he was entrusted by his general to make tactical decisions. The decision he made will hunt him for the rest of his life. It appears that the decision Col. Dowdy made was only in the interest of his soldiers. Col. Dowdy cared about his soldiers and decided to protect them by not going through the town and waiting. By waiting he jeopardized the mission as the operation in Iraq had to be quick and the main strategy was to surprise the enemy and do not allow them to regroup after initial attach. Actions of Col. Downy ware seen as a weakness and he was relieved of command. Col. Dowdy was a true leader and as such he cared about his soldiers. Even though the orders were to proceed with speed he exercised his power and made a good decision by protecting the soldiers. It is sad to see that rare leaders like Col. Dowdy are not appreciated more. It seems that empathy even though a core competency of a leader in business is not seen as one in military.