EP73 Leaders Never Arrive with GEN (R) Scott Miller ‘83

This episode features an interview with GEN (R) Austin Scott Miller ‘83.

GEN (R) Miller recently retired after nearly 40 years in the United States Army. He supported, led, and shaped the most challenging national security issues at the highest levels of the United States government. Most recently, commanding all U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. As Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, GEN (R) Miller directed U.S. operations in complex geopolitical regions including the Indo-Pacific, Africa, Middle East, and South Asia. As the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, he led the initiative to integrate women into the prestigious U.S. Army Ranger School. He also commanded Assault Forces in Mogadishu, Somalia during “Blackhawk Down”.

In this episode, GEN (R) Miller talks about his experiences as a Task Force Ranger, as the Commander of the Maneuver Center of Excellence, as the final commander of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces in Afghanistan, and his continuous involvement in West Point after transitioning out of the military.

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Key Quotes:

“First of all, I go with the mantra, ‘leaders have never arrived’. I just think that's got to be our mindset and that there's this opportunity to always get better, always learn more, always improve your craft, understand more, develop more. If you keep that in mind, you're continually learning, you're as ready as you can be. You don't get another chance of being more ready. But if you take that approach and you're always trying to learn, then you'll be okay.” - GEN Scott Miller

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Episode Timestamps:

(02:31) Attending West Point

(07:57) Task Force Ranger experience

(15:43) Commanding the Maneuver Center of Excellence

(20:27) Entering the private sector

(25:27) Life after retirement

(31:57) Transitioning out of the military

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Links:

GEN (R) Scott Miller

COL Sean Morrow

West Point Association of Graduates

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