In this month’s episode, Zach hosts retired USMC Major General Julian D. Alford. General Alford is an infantry officer with a storied career who retired from the Marine Corps in September of 2022 after 37 years. His last assignment on active duty was as Commanding General, Marine Corps Training Command, Quantico VA.
In this episode we discuss:
General Alford’s experience as a platoon commander leading three different platoons and how this shaped his approach to company command.
His prep for company command and his experience as a captain on the Drill Field.
His command philosophy as a company commander.
His time as the CO of 3rd Battalion 6th Marines.
STEXs with radios to prepare for combat.
Preparing his company commanders to operate independently in Afghanistan.
The Company CO’s dirty dozen, the battalion CO’s fighting fifteen.
Making NCOs special.
Lessons from Afghanistan that informed 3/6’s next deployment to Iraq.
Executing highly kinetic urban clearing operations during Operations IRON FIST and STEEL CURTAIN.
The role of close air support during these operations.
Transitioning to CAP style patrol base operations after these intense urban clears.
How company commanders need to prepare for the close fight.
The role of direct fire and combined arms in the close fight.
Concern about properly manning experimental infantry battalions with their T/O leaders.
Lessons company commanders should be learning from fighting in Gaza and Ukraine.
General Alford’s leadership philosophy and approach to training while CO of the The Basic School.
Recommendations for company commanders as they build their PME programs, and much, much, more!
Have ideas of people we should interview or topics to discuss? Please send along your recommendations and questions we should be asking!
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Episode 4: Major General Julian D. Alford, USMC (retired)