thedrifter
08-31-09, 10:15 AM
'Back to the basics'
Commandant of cadets putting emphasis on duty, discipline and pride
By Diane Knich
The Post and Courier
Monday, August 31, 2009
Ask a Citadel graduate to name the commandant of cadets during his years at the school, and he'll be able to tell you, even if it's been decades since he set foot on campus.
Cadets enrolled today will remember Col. Leo Mercado, an alumnus of the military college who spent the past 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mercado returned to The Citadel as commandant this year and is responsible for the military training, command and control of the 2,100 students in the Corps of Cadets.
Col. Leo Mercado oversees a parade practice session Friday. In his role as The Citadel's commandant of cadets, Mercado makes decisions about cadet life, including when to pull the plug on practice because of rain.
The commandant is a powerful presence on campus, said Doug Snyder, chairman of the school's Board of Visitors and a 1982 graduate. "He's in control of your life."
Coming face to face with the commandant is daunting for a cadet, Snyder said. "It's not like the president of the United States standing in front of you, but it's close."
Mercado brings a stellar military record and history to the campus. He was raised in a military family, attended The Citadel and then joined the Marines.
"I was born in a military hospital and when the time comes, I'll be placed in a plot of ground that belongs to the United States government," he said.
Mercado came to The Citadel from the general staff at Marine Corps headquarters in
Arlington, Va., where he served as secretary of the general staff.
During his career, he served as chief of staff at Marine Corps University, where he was responsible for 450 military and civilian personnel and an operating budget of $25 million. He also commanded the security battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif.; served as chief of the military liaison team in Bucharest, Romania; commanded the First Recruit Training Battalion at the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot at Parris Island; and served as aide to President Bill Clinton.
Mercado told the sophomore class last week that his theme for the school year is "back to the basics," which are duty, discipline and pride. He knows that doesn't sound visionary. But those are the qualities of a principled leader, he said. He wants to encourage students to "do the right thing in the right way for the right reason."
He told the sophomores that tradition is important. "But some of the things you think are traditions are just bad habits, and most of those bad habits are abuse," he said.
He didn't cite specific examples, but said, "I'm talking about buffoonery and jackassery." And he said he wouldn't tolerate hazing.
He also warned the students to consider their behavior because he thinks things that occur at The Citadel draw much more attention than events at other schools in the state.
Marine Col. Brent Dunahoe, now a professor of Naval science and commanding officer of Navy ROTC at The Citadel, said he has known Mercado for years, although mostly by reputation, as the two traveled in the same Marine circles. He's not surprised Mercado is emphasizing the basics.
"Leo is not a flashy guy," he said. "With him you get a steady, solid, professional performance."
But, he said, Mercado has diverse professional experience that spans many areas of leadership. "He's a master at juggling crystal balls, which will serve him well at The Citadel," he said.
Zachary Holliday, the school's regimental commander, the top-ranking cadet, said he has daily contact with Mercado. And things are going well. Mercado, he said, "wants to be a mentor to the leadership of the Corps."
So far, Holliday said, he's learning from Mercado to thoroughly process information before making decisions. "He has told me to look at the second- and third-hand consequences," Holliday said.
Mercado, who describes himself as "an introvert and very private person" despite holding very public positions, said he's moved many times in his life. His six years in the Lowcountry -- four at The Citadel and two at Parris Island -- make the area feel like home.
He was considering what he might do when he retired from the Marine Corps when he learned about the commandant position at The Citadel.
His wife, Gina, a nurse and Navy captain, encouraged him to apply for the job. "She said, 'You're not going to be happy wearing a suit and tie and working 9-to-5,' " Mercado said.
Mercado's family also includes two adult children, Thomas, a law student at the University of Alabama; and Julie, a senior at the University of South Carolina Upstate.
Mercado said he's humbled by being selected for one of the school's top posts.
"To get the opportunity to return to your alma mater, you get one shot at that," he said.
He's looking forward to this phase of his life, and hopes that in addition to work, he'll find some time to play golf. "If you like where you live and what you're doing, everything falls in step," he said.
Reach <strong>Diane Knich</strong> at 937-5491 or <a href="mailto:dknich@postandcourier.com">dknich@postandcourier.com</a>.
Ellie
Commandant of cadets putting emphasis on duty, discipline and pride
By Diane Knich
The Post and Courier
Monday, August 31, 2009
Ask a Citadel graduate to name the commandant of cadets during his years at the school, and he'll be able to tell you, even if it's been decades since he set foot on campus.
Cadets enrolled today will remember Col. Leo Mercado, an alumnus of the military college who spent the past 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mercado returned to The Citadel as commandant this year and is responsible for the military training, command and control of the 2,100 students in the Corps of Cadets.
Col. Leo Mercado oversees a parade practice session Friday. In his role as The Citadel's commandant of cadets, Mercado makes decisions about cadet life, including when to pull the plug on practice because of rain.
The commandant is a powerful presence on campus, said Doug Snyder, chairman of the school's Board of Visitors and a 1982 graduate. "He's in control of your life."
Coming face to face with the commandant is daunting for a cadet, Snyder said. "It's not like the president of the United States standing in front of you, but it's close."
Mercado brings a stellar military record and history to the campus. He was raised in a military family, attended The Citadel and then joined the Marines.
"I was born in a military hospital and when the time comes, I'll be placed in a plot of ground that belongs to the United States government," he said.
Mercado came to The Citadel from the general staff at Marine Corps headquarters in
Arlington, Va., where he served as secretary of the general staff.
During his career, he served as chief of staff at Marine Corps University, where he was responsible for 450 military and civilian personnel and an operating budget of $25 million. He also commanded the security battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif.; served as chief of the military liaison team in Bucharest, Romania; commanded the First Recruit Training Battalion at the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot at Parris Island; and served as aide to President Bill Clinton.
Mercado told the sophomore class last week that his theme for the school year is "back to the basics," which are duty, discipline and pride. He knows that doesn't sound visionary. But those are the qualities of a principled leader, he said. He wants to encourage students to "do the right thing in the right way for the right reason."
He told the sophomores that tradition is important. "But some of the things you think are traditions are just bad habits, and most of those bad habits are abuse," he said.
He didn't cite specific examples, but said, "I'm talking about buffoonery and jackassery." And he said he wouldn't tolerate hazing.
He also warned the students to consider their behavior because he thinks things that occur at The Citadel draw much more attention than events at other schools in the state.
Marine Col. Brent Dunahoe, now a professor of Naval science and commanding officer of Navy ROTC at The Citadel, said he has known Mercado for years, although mostly by reputation, as the two traveled in the same Marine circles. He's not surprised Mercado is emphasizing the basics.
"Leo is not a flashy guy," he said. "With him you get a steady, solid, professional performance."
But, he said, Mercado has diverse professional experience that spans many areas of leadership. "He's a master at juggling crystal balls, which will serve him well at The Citadel," he said.
Zachary Holliday, the school's regimental commander, the top-ranking cadet, said he has daily contact with Mercado. And things are going well. Mercado, he said, "wants to be a mentor to the leadership of the Corps."
So far, Holliday said, he's learning from Mercado to thoroughly process information before making decisions. "He has told me to look at the second- and third-hand consequences," Holliday said.
Mercado, who describes himself as "an introvert and very private person" despite holding very public positions, said he's moved many times in his life. His six years in the Lowcountry -- four at The Citadel and two at Parris Island -- make the area feel like home.
He was considering what he might do when he retired from the Marine Corps when he learned about the commandant position at The Citadel.
His wife, Gina, a nurse and Navy captain, encouraged him to apply for the job. "She said, 'You're not going to be happy wearing a suit and tie and working 9-to-5,' " Mercado said.
Mercado's family also includes two adult children, Thomas, a law student at the University of Alabama; and Julie, a senior at the University of South Carolina Upstate.
Mercado said he's humbled by being selected for one of the school's top posts.
"To get the opportunity to return to your alma mater, you get one shot at that," he said.
He's looking forward to this phase of his life, and hopes that in addition to work, he'll find some time to play golf. "If you like where you live and what you're doing, everything falls in step," he said.
Reach <strong>Diane Knich</strong> at 937-5491 or <a href="mailto:dknich@postandcourier.com">dknich@postandcourier.com</a>.
Ellie