Gen. Joe Dunford
A Leader Beyond Service
The Early Life of 'Fighing Joe'
Dunford was born on September 8, 1955 in Boston, Massachuetts. He was then raised in Quincy, Massachusetts. In 1973, he graduated from Boston College High School, and in the June of 1977, Saint Michael's College. He later earned his commissiong after graduation. He also graduated from teh United States Army war Colloege, Ranger School and Amphibious Warfare School. His degrees include a Master of Arts of Government from Georgetown University and International Relations from Flethcer School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Dunford's "Fighting" Career
Dunford first served in the 1st Marine Division as a platoon and company commander in the 3rd Battalion, he also was a company commander in the 1st Battaloin 9th Marines up to 1981. Dunford was moved to various companies and battalions up to 1988 when he was assigned as the Marine Officer Instrucktor at the College of the Holy Croos and Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico up to 1991. He continued to move jobs at different regiments and battalions till 1998. Then, in 1999, Dunford was the executive assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff till 2001. Then served as command to the 5h Marine Regiment in the 1st Marine Division when he served 22 months in Iraq. There he got the nickmane "Fighting Joe" from James Mattis. Then after returning to Headquarters Marine Corps from 2005-2007, Dunford was nominated to become a major general and lieutenant general. He finally recieved this rank permanently in April of 2008. Dunford continued to rise through the ranks until he was nominated to become the new Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and then in 2012, nominated to lead U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Finally, on October 17, 2014, Gen. Joesph Dunford became Commandant of the Marine Forces.
Why is he Such a Good Leader?
There are many qualities needed to be a good leader, but what does Dunford have to be such a good leader? Though Dunford doesn't show every quality to be a leader, doesn't mean he's not a good leader. In fact, that just makes him better. But his most shown quality of a leader is being driven to do his job. Dunford was always encouraged by something to get his job done, and when he had a certain feeling towards something, that feeling was always strong. He always wants to do his best and have the best done to the 'good' people he surrounds himself with. Dunford always did what he thought was good, and he won't till he gets his job done. This attitude got him where he is now and it'll continue him on for the better.
Why Follow "Fighing Joe?"
Personally there are many reasons why I would follow Gen. Dunford. Firstly, as a high ranking officer of the military, I already have mounds of respect for him and would follow him just with that, but there are more reasons why I would. Those reasons include his attitude, Dunford is so driven that it seems that nothing can stop him, that is the kind of leader i want. Lastly, is his intelligence, Dunford has been alive for a while and has been in the military for a while also. He knows quite a lot of things and I would be happy to follow someone that knows what they are doing. These are the reasons why I would, and why you should follow, Gen. Joseph "Fighting Joe" Dunford.