Russell spent 20 years in the British Army, serving in the Parachute Regiment. He has served in numerous theatres including Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. However, it was Afghanistan that proved to be his crucible leadership experience. As a Company Commander with responsibility for over 200 men, he was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and gallantry under fire. His detailed account of his Company's tour was published under the title 'Company Commander' and is now mandated reading for all aspirant US Naval Officers.
Russell has also worked in defence procurement where he gained significant experience of the defence manufacturing sector. He finished as an instructor at the staff college. He rewrote and was the lead deliverer for the Army's tactical decision making process and was also responsible for introducing a coaching culture to both his fellow instructors and to the students.
He left the Army in 2013 and now works as a training and security consultant, whilst continuing to write. He has worked with Greater Manchester Police Force, Plexus Risk Consultancy, Mission Performance, Help for Heroes and the US Naval Academy. He is also a specialist Defence commentator for Sky News.
Sir,
I have been meaning to write you all week, but it looks like you got to it first! I cannot tell you what an honor and pleasure it was meeting you this past week.
This job as conference speaker officer led me to meet some of the most amazing individuals and highly respected leaders I have ever had the privilege of interacting with.
You sir, are one of the humblest, most down to earth and inspiring military officers I have met to date. Your story and background proceed you and I knew that getting you to come to the conference was going to be an honor for the Naval Academy. I had no idea however that you would be such a pleasant individual and make my job so much easier.
I just started your book (thank you again for that lovely gift, it was very kind of you) and already I am hooked. Your first person narrative about giving the credit and honor to those enlisted men really spoke to me, and I haven't even made it through the prologue yet.
I hope to one day be a selfless leader such as yourself, and I can only hope that my men and women will follow me as yours did you.
Again, thank you so much for your unique contribution to our conference and your taking time to get to know the Academy, Ryan and I. It was a privilege getting to know you sir, take care and all the best back home!
I must say that I and the rest of the task group organizing the workshop were very pleased with Russell's presentation. He is a very good speaker and could really get his message through to the participants. This was exactly what we were looking for.
Russell's story from Afghanistan definitely captured the audience's interest and had an important impact on the way the participants were thinking for the rest of the workshop. There were several times people brought up comments Russell had made or messages he had in his presentation.
Nobody had anything but very good testimonials of Russell's contribution to the workshop.
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