Rajin CajunTakes on Hurricane Relief
Lieutenant General Russel Honore’ who is the current commander of 1st Army which commands the US Army Reserve and National Guard is now directing the military response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Interestingly enough General Honore’ used to be the division commander for the US 2nd Infantry Division located here in Korea from 2000 – 2002.
Lt. Gen. Russel Honore was directing the deployment of National Guard troops — expected to number 1,000 — from a New Orleans street corner.
Honore said getting food and water to the people at the convention center was a difficult process. “If you ever have 20,000 people come to supper, you know what I’m talking about,” the general said. “If it was easy, it would have been done already.”
CNN’s Barbara Starr, who is traveling with the three-star general, said Honore is “very determined to keep this looking like a humanitarian relief operation.”
“A few moments ago, he stopped a truck full of National Guard troops … and said, ‘Point your weapons down, this is not Iraq,'” Starr reported.
During his time here in the 2ID General Honore’ was known as the Ragin Cajun because he was the type that would explode and expect immediate results. He is also from Louisiana and speaks with a Cajun accent that makes him sometimes hard to understand when he is rajin. His strong personality and Cajun roots make him the perfect person to lead this effort. I would expect results from the National Guard effort very soon now.
Unfortunately, I’ve had the displeasure of serving twice with LTG Honore. He’s the epitome of achieving rank at the expense of those below him. Interestingly enough, the same series of articles lauding this take charge style proves my point of his micro managing attitude and zero defects mentality. His leadership style is extremely direct and overbearing…not participative or open to the comments of some of the smartest officers and NCOs working for him (I’m talking about the numerous 06, 05, E9-E7 working on division staffs at 2ID and 1st CAV). Obviously there are times when this style is need and perhaps now is the time in New Orleans, but other than that, it is just wrong, overbearing, counterproductive to leader development and unneeded.
Just my $0.02 from someone who’s worked for him and with a different opinion. Your mileage may vary
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