No Greater Love; an Interview with MG (Ret) Freddie Valenzuela

I recently had the opportunity to interview Major General (Ret) Alfred Valenzuela to discuss his new book No Greater Love, the Lives and Times of Hispanic Soldiers.

The book has already received a couple of favorable reviews:

United States Senator John S. McCain – Arizona
In this poignant work, Freddie Valenzuela uses his thirty-three years of military service as a canvas on which he paints…the moving story of a Hispanic American in service to his nation…I commend it to you as a wonderful way to explore the nature of service and the meaning of patriotism.

United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison – Texas
From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror, Hispanic Americans have made enormous sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and I am grateful for their service. In No Greater Love, General Valenzuela highlights the service and dedication of these brave Americans in our military.

You were very involved in Scouting and Boys Clubs in your youth.
What do these organizations do to prepare a young person for success?

Danny, the Boy Scouts & Boy’s & Girl’s clubs provide young at risk & lesser income children with mentoring, education, an array of subject tutelage, leadership & discipline. For knuckleheads like me & most of us in the Army, its ideal & compliments family.

You devote an entire chapter of the book to the funeral of SPC Rodrigo Gonzalez-Garza. This soldier was not a US citizen when he was killed in a helicopter accident. His family wanted to bury him in his hometown of Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico. Some controversy erupted between the Mexican and US governments. You managed to overcome that and the funeral happened with full military honors. As a result of this, has a standard protocol between the two governments been established or will this be a challenge each time it occurs?

The funeral in Mexico which was the first opened the door to what is now foreign policy toward the better relations between the two countries. It also opened everyone’s eyes to the fact that are many residents’ non citizens serving/dying for this country. Thus, the idea now is to make sure we get them citizenship while on active duty before they deploy, but at least make them citizens posthumously if necessary.

You say that education is the bedrock of success. The officer corps puts a lot of weight and opportunity for advanced education. Would you advocate similar programs for NCOs? If so, what specific fields of education do you think Army NCOs would benefit most from?

The US Army is the most educationally oriented Institution in the government; however it’s focused on the Officers for the most part. That is changing because of the requirement to have education when you reach 1st Sgt/SGM/CSM; however it’s also geared to the non combat Soldier & lesser to the warrior. We never get time off to take advantage of it. It must be focused on the NCO who truly deserves it. All my success is attributed to my NCOs period. They take officers & nurture them to success. When an officer gets selected for command/promotion it is the NCO that is the proudest because of what he did to make that happen.

You used your personal career as a vehicle to illustrate the Hispanic soldier experience, so let’s discuss some of that.

In your book, you talk a lot about the importance that mentors had in your career and you offer an impressive list of senior leaders. But I was curious about going a little further back. The first major career jump was when you were selected for promotion to Major below the zone. What events or to whom would you credit that early promotion?

In the book MG Valenzuela writes:

“My success as a battery commander is directly attributable to Stan Shipley, a fellow San Antonio native and graduate of West Point and the Wharton School of Business; Lt. Steve Steed; and First Sergeant Jackie Stanfield. Together we led the best battery of five in the battalion and one of the top two of the 25 or so in the Division Artillery.”

When I asked the question directly:

Although LTs Steed & Shipley played a significant role no doubt Top Jackie Stanfield was the key. Super teacher, coach & mentor he provided the right tutelage of soldiering I could have gotten. He was directly responsible for my success.

Every job in the Army is important but you place a great deal of weight on Command assignments; why is that?

The reason for the COMMAND issue is because hidden in the bowels of the ARMY if you do not command at all levels you will not get promoted. It’s the same in the NCO ranks because if you are not a 1sg, you will not probably become a SGM/CSM.

Near the end of the book you discuss the “theory of visibility”. How would you advise a young officer to take advantage of this without appearing to be grand standing?

Most of the Theory of Visibility is not apparent until you reach the senior levels. Its luck & chance & if your guy gets to the top then if you served with him/then then your chances are better of getting to the top. Thus, the mentorship of the army is the most important. Who you serve with & their success is passed down to those who served with him.

Category: Politics