Army Leadership/Cam Newton Maturation Parallel? You bet

[DangerClose]

What does football and the Army together have anything to do with this forum you might ask? I write with trepidation as sometimes military analogies are not well received. However, since I really do not post that often, I'm hoping you give me a shot. For the TL;DR crowd, I promise to keep this bottom line up front, so please bear with me. Again, I am looking at an intelligent conversation - not a knee jerk, emotional reaction that has somewhat dominated the board as of late.

First off, I've been in the Army since 2001. Enlisted for a while and now an officer. I have seen the full gamut of leadership at it's best and worse, both at home and in combat. Based off my 11 years of experience as a leadership professional, here are a few of my observations/parallels with the Panthers leadership.

1. Football teams are like combat units to a certain extent. Both require special individuals to do things that most sane people avoid at all costs. Both require extensive planning (Operations orders = Game plans), both require immense amount of training at highly technical and skilled positions. And above all, both require leaders to direct not only the unit, but provide guidance through calm, patient, and decisive demeanor in both good and bad times.

2. The Panther's Offense is like a Platoon, and you can consider Cam Newton to be the Platoon Leader. Now most anyone in the military well tell you that most PLs can be cocky, a little too self-assured, a bit rough around the edges, and lack a certain bit of poise and refinement seen in older officers. The upside to them though, is that most have an extreme amount of potential, are highly trained and very reliable even if their methods are sometimes unorthodox. What they lack is experience. I like to think of Cam as this kind of officer. He has tremendous upside with his talent and unorthodox way he plays. As a former platoon leader, I can tell you that the platoon often adopts the personality of it's leadership. I see this with Carolina. They are inspired by Cam's infectious and insatiable desire to win. However, one cannot help but notice when he faces adversity, he caves. His emotions get the better of him and it affects his guys. I'm not knocking the guy totally here, but if he wants to win, sitting on the bench, scowling and pouting is not going to inspire anyone. The key to leadership isn't about establishing a brand when times are good. It's about facing adversity head-on, being a positive influence despite the circumstances - especially when the going gets tough and you find yourself down a touchdown or two. I think Smitty said something to the same respect.

http://espn.go.com/n...ack-cam-newton.

Short end though, Newton is only in his second year. He still has a lot to learn, and I have no doubt that over time, he will gain that poise and refinement. We can't expect it from him right away. Maturation takes several years. However, I believe the sooner he realizes this, the more successful the Panthers as a team will be.

I could go on, especially about flexibility in planning and how leaders above Cam need to adapt better to the flow of the game, but I will save that for a later post.

[Chimera]

So, what you're saying is that young 2LT Cam Newton writes the gameplans for opponents via Op Orders? Man, this whole time I thought the coaches were a little incompetent. Cam rarely issues Fragos on the line of scrimmage - he must be really confident with his Op Orders.

A game vs. combat. A sack vs. an IED. "My husband can't throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time" vs. writing a letter to your subordinate's widow.

Atleast its obvious that you really are commissioned.

/weeps for anyone under your command

[EasternJ]

When you exhibit the maturity of a 7 year old, I figure it should take Cam about 10 or more years to be at the right maturity level to lead a team. I wish it weren't true, but I've never seen a guy like this somehow develop into a mature leader AFTER getting to the NFL. You can pull this post and I'll eat crow if doesn't happen, but I'll bet we see a change at quarterback before the end of the season-- especially if the Panthers continue to struggle.

[Donald LaFell]

So, what you're saying is that young 2LT Cam Newton writes the gameplans for opponents via Op Orders? Man, this whole time I thought the coaches were a little incompetent. Cam rarely issues Fragos on the line of scrimmage - he must be really confident with his Op Orders.

A game vs. combat. A sack vs. an IED. "My husband can't throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time" vs. writing a letter to your subordinate's widow.

Atleast its obvious that you really are commissioned.

/weeps for anyone under your command

I think he was talking about leadership you're taking the comparison pretty far past what i understood it to be.

[Rip Saw]

So, what you're saying is that young 2LT Cam Newton writes the gameplans for opponents via Op Orders? Man, this whole time I thought the coaches were a little incompetent. Cam rarely issues Fragos on the line of scrimmage - he must be really confident with his Op Orders.

A game vs. combat. A sack vs. an IED. "My husband can't throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time" vs. writing a letter to your subordinate's widow.

Atleast its obvious that you really are commissioned.

/weeps for anyone under your command

go away loser and take your big ass redneck hat with you

[Chimera]

I think he was talking about leadership you're taking the comparison pretty far past what i understood it to be.

I know, and I did it on purpose. Since Cam is on the field, he is "one of the boys," and definitely not comparable to a young LT. Cam may be comparable to an enlisted squad leader. As far as comparisons, Chud would be the LT of the "offense platoon."

Maturation as a leader is something that happens whenever someone has a career with potential for advancement: its not necessarily a military thing or a sports thing. Hell, a shift manager at McDonald's goes through the same thing.

[Jackofalltrades]

Ain't

Ready to be

Marines

Yet

[Chimera]

Ain't

Ready to be

Marines

Yet

Cool, got any more slogans from your years of stateside service during peacetime?

[Cape Fear Cat]

What does football and the Army together have anything to do with this forum you might ask? I write with trepidation as sometimes military analogies are not well received. However, since I really do not post that often, I'm hoping you give me a shot. For the TL;DR crowd, I promise to keep this bottom line up front, so please bear with me. Again, I am looking at an intelligent conversation - not a knee jerk, emotional reaction that has somewhat dominated the board as of late.

First off, I've been in the Army since 2001. Enlisted for a while and now an officer. I have seen the full gamut of leadership at it's best and worse, both at home and in combat. Based off my 11 years of experience as a leadership professional, here are a few of my observations/parallels with the Panthers leadership.

1. Football teams are like combat units to a certain extent. Both require special individuals to do things that most sane people avoid at all costs. Both require extensive planning (Operations orders = Game plans), both require immense amount of training at highly technical and skilled positions. And above all, both require leaders to direct not only the unit, but provide guidance through calm, patient, and decisive demeanor in both good and bad times.

2. The Panther's Offense is like a Platoon, and you can consider Cam Newton to be the Platoon Leader. Now most anyone in the military well tell you that most PLs can be cocky, a little too self-assured, a bit rough around the edges, and lack a certain bit of poise and refinement seen in older officers. The upside to them though, is that most have an extreme amount of potential, are highly trained and very reliable even if their methods are sometimes unorthodox. What they lack is experience. I like to think of Cam as this kind of officer. He has tremendous upside with his talent and unorthodox way he plays. As a former platoon leader, I can tell you that the platoon often adopts the personality of it's leadership. I see this with Carolina. They are inspired by Cam's infectious and insatiable desire to win. However, one cannot help but notice when he faces adversity, he caves. His emotions get the better of him and it affects his guys. I'm not knocking the guy totally here, but if he wants to win, sitting on the bench, scowling and pouting is not going to inspire anyone. The key to leadership isn't about establishing a brand when times are good. It's about facing adversity head-on, being a positive influence despite the circumstances - especially when the going gets tough and you find yourself down a touchdown or two. I think Smitty said something to the same respect.

http://espn.go.com/n...ack-cam-newton.

Short end though, Newton is only in his second year. He still has a lot to learn, and I have no doubt that over time, he will gain that poise and refinement. We can't expect it from him right away. Maturation takes several years. However, I believe the sooner he realizes this, the more successful the Panthers as a team will be.

I could go on, especially about flexibility in planning and how leaders above Cam need to adapt better to the flow of the game, but I will save that for a later post.

Speaking as a former Marine, you're right on. Good analogy for a grunt!

[cdandi1]

When you exhibit the maturity of a 7 year old, I figure it should take Cam about 10 or more years to be at the right maturity level to lead a team. I wish it weren't true, but I've never seen a guy like this somehow develop into a mature leader AFTER getting to the NFL. You can pull this post and I'll eat crow if doesn't happen, but I'll bet we see a change at quarterback before the end of the season-- especially if the Panthers continue to struggle.

I can name one right now...and he just so happens to probably be one of the only people in the league that can have an influence on Cam.

Steve Smith. He came into the league an immature fireball who has been thrown out of games, punched teammates, etc. He still plays with an immense desire and love for the game and yet has matured into a team leader and father since he has been in the league.

If an individual comes into a professional league around his low-to-mid twenties and leaves in his mid-30's..then it only makes sense that a large part of becoming a true, emotional, adult happens while in the league.

Cam at 23, emotionally, is not much different than Smitty at 23. If Cam matures like Smitty...I think we'll have a Quarterback to be very proud of...a mature individual off the field who plays with an extreme love and fire on the field.

[h0llywood]

Cam reminds me of young hard charging Lance Corporals, on the fringe of becoming an NCO but still too immature to handle being in charge.

Moto but a cut above turd. Semper Fi.

- Sgt. JB

[DangerClose]

So, what you're saying is that young 2LT Cam Newton writes the gameplans for opponents via Op Orders? Man, this whole time I thought the coaches were a little incompetent. Cam rarely issues Fragos on the line of scrimmage - he must be really confident with his Op Orders.

A game vs. combat. A sack vs. an IED. "My husband can't throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time" vs. writing a letter to your subordinate's widow.

Atleast its obvious that you really are commissioned.

/weeps for anyone under your command

either you misunderstand or i wasnt clear enough. i was going to focus on the failures of the coaches and the game plans and how it affects those underneath them.

I never said it was the same. i said there were parallels used in an effort to explain. guess you missed the part about personal attacks.

[DangerClose]

I think he was talking about leadership you're taking the comparison pretty far past what i understood it to be.

thank you. this guy obviously missed the point. that's ok. common sense isnt always common.

[Chimera]

either you misunderstand or i wasnt clear enough. i was going to focus on the failures of the coaches and the game plans and how it affects those underneath them.

I never said it was the same. i said there were parallels used in an effort to explain. guess you missed the part about personal attacks.

Actually, that's why I did it. ;)