Army Nurses in Command- Celebrating 125 years of Excellence
- wardocspodcast
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
This year marks a monumental milestone as the Army Nurse Corps (ANC) celebrates 125 years of service. To honor this legacy, WarDocs interviewed four prominent ANC commanders to explore how a nursing background serves as a premier foundation for military command. These leaders demonstrate that the transition from the bedside to the boardroom is driven by a core commitment to people and professional excellence.
The Five Ps of High-Performance Leadership
Colonel Margaret Berryman, Commander of Winn Army Community Hospital, outlines a framework she calls the "Five Ps": People, Purpose, Preparation, Partnership, and Performance. She emphasizes that people are the Army’s greatest competitive advantage. By focusing on preparation and connecting individuals to a collective purpose, performance and excellence naturally follow in any medical formation.
Proactive Thinking in Command
Colonel Crystal Belew, Commander of the 519th Hospital Center, explains how her training as a perioperative nurse shaped her proactive leadership style. Operating room nurses are trained to think two to three steps ahead, a skill that translates directly to the complexities of commanding operational medical support across large areas of operation. Her philosophy centers on "authentically caring" for both the mission and the personnel.
Resiliency Through Bedside Service
The ability to lead under pressure is often forged in the most demanding clinical environments. Colonel Sarah Eccleston, Commander of the 29th Hospital Center, shares how her time as a critical care nurse during the heights of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars built her resiliency. She teaches her teams to "grow where they are planted," recognizing that every assignment, regardless of its initial appeal, serves a critical purpose in professional development.
The Three Pillars: Grit, Growth, and Grace
Colonel Briana Perata, Commander of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, utilizes three pillars—Grit, Growth, and Grace—to guide her leadership. Grit is necessary for making tough, unpopular decisions, while Growth focuses on leader development and feedback. Finally, Grace humanizes leadership, emphasizing humility and the simple but profound power of saying "thank you" to the team.
Mentorship and the Future of the Corps
A recurring theme throughout the episode is the transformative power of mentorship. Many of these commanders were junior officers who initially planned to leave the service but were redirected by mentors who saw their strategic potential. These stories highlight the responsibility of current leaders to "build the bench" and invest deeply in talent management to ensure the continued excellence of military medicine.
Take-Home Messages
Prioritize People First: People are the competitive advantage in any organization, and when leaders take care of their team, the mission naturally succeeds.
Grow Where You Are Planted: Every assignment, even if it is not your first choice, offers essential lessons and purposes that prepare you for future command.
Lead with Authentic Care: Successful leadership is not just about rank or titles; it requires a genuine, heartfelt connection to the well-being of subordinates.
Embrace Discomfort for Growth: To reach your full potential, you must seek out challenging roles and "find a new room" when you are the smartest person there.
Build Resiliency through Service: Frontline clinical experience in austere or high-volume environments builds a foundation of resiliency that is vital for senior leadership.
HOW TO WATCH
Check out the full episode featuring ANC Officers in Command on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/5u5d2UPczO0
Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine
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