Document created: 10 December 01
Published Aerospace Power Journal - Winter 2001

The Three Meter Zone: Common Sense Leadership for NCOs by J. D. Pendry. Presidio Press (http://www.presidiopress.com), P.O. Box 1764, Novato, California 94948, 2000, 256 pages, $24.95.

The Three Meter Zone provides a comprehensive yet easy to follow review of several fundamental leadership principles for noncommissioned officers (NCO). Not only is the book a work of art, but also it has functional value for today’s NCO. The author addresses the principles of NCO leadership via personal and professional experiences, quotations from political and military leaders, historical military accounts, and extracts from US Army field manuals. Command Sergeant Major Pendry, USA, presents the material in such a way that NCOs in any military service can easily use it to take care of their people and accomplish the mission.

The book is essential reading for the junior, mid- level, and senior NCO, offering a practical prescription for tackling leadership issues in the twenty-first century. The author candidly discloses personal experiences—each striking anecdote lends clarity and realism to leadership concepts such as selfless service, integrity, trust, and confidence. In a sense, Pendry invites the reader into a very natural discussion about leadership philosophy, one that underlies the NCO’s role as mentor, disciplinarian, motivator, and communicator. He declares that an NCO’s influence is indispensable to the character and growth of the military organization, insisting that the NCO is the backbone of the US armed forces. 

A second key strategy of the author involves the frequent use of probing questions to challenge the reader to carefully examine the implications of leadership decisions. This in-depth exploration of leadership issues suggests that the NCO may often confront situations which require more than a superficial solution. More importantly, NCOs may need to use a holistic approach to fully understand all facets of a leadership challenge prior to advocating or implementing a decision. Similarly, Pendry suggests that yesterday’s leadership solutions are not necessarily appropriate for today’s peacekeeping, humanitarian, or combat-superiority missions. Such constant questioning is not only welcome, but also essential to the continued physical, mental, and emotional development of the NCO.

A third element that distinguishes this text from other books is the author’s unique writing style. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Pendry tells us what he truly feels about NCO leadership! He candidly discloses his personal and professional perspective on leadership and the role of the NCO: accomplish the mission and ensure the welfare of the soldier. These convictions reflect years of military tradition, tutelage under both good and bad leaders, and training in one of the nation’s finest military branches of service. Furthermore, end-of-chapter summaries effectively encapsulate the principles under discussion, giving today’s NCO the knowledge and motivation to lead, discipline, communicate, and motivate. 

The Three Meter Zone is an excellent book that will capture its readers’ attention and challenge them to examine their long-held leadership beliefs and practices. I encourage NCOs in any military service to invest a few hours of leadership-development time in reading this text. In turn, I challenge my fellow NCOs to test his ideas and instill fundamental precepts of leadership and followership. In the final analysis, our subordinates, our military profession of arms, and our great nation ask for nothing less! 

CMSgt Gilbert Duenas, USAF
Maxwell AFB, Alabama

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.