Marine Officer - Maj Ian Glover

<span> <p> <img style="float: none;" src="http://assets2.marines.com/assetmgr/image/disp/inline/size/460x259/id/4352" alt="Maj Ian Glover <br /> Artillery Officer" /><h2>Inspired by the Legacy</h2>Glover1Decision :36<br /> <br /> Maj Ian Glover:<br /> Being from Beaufort, South Carolina, Parris Island is maybe ten miles from my parents´ house. So, many of my friends are Marines. I grew up seeing Marines and I needed to do something that kept my interest. I wanted to do something that made sure I was able to stay in shape as well. I've always been an athlete in addition to other things, so the Marine Corps just seemed to suit that. I figured if I was going to be in the military, why not choose the best branch of service, the one with the best reputation. Everyone knows Marines just do not quit. We do not fail. We have a very good reputation and we've earned it.<br /> <hr /><h2>Training Iraqi Forces</h2>Glover2MOS 2:04<br /> <br /> Maj Ian Glover:<br /> I'm an Artillery Officer, 0802. I considered infantry, engineers and artillery and ultimately I chose artillery. I've had three deployments. The first was in 2000 with the 24th MU. The second was in 2005. I deployed to western Iraq, Anbar Province. And the final, my last deployment was 2006 to 2007. I served a year in Baghdad on a military transition team. Our job was to help train an Iraqi army. That was the most challenging thing I've ever done and I would say by far the more, most rewarding year of my life.<br /> <br /> Sometimes you see the impact of your mission right away. Other times, you don't really see it until a year afterwards and I would say that's certainly the case for me. While we were there, every day you have victories that you can absolutely see. But by the time you leave you're still left wondering, did I have the effect that I wanted to have? And I don't know that, I don't know that you'll ever get a solid answer on that, 100 percent yes I did or no I didn't. But just as recently as yesterday I spoke to one of my former interpreters who happens to live in Sadr City. While we were there in 2006 and 2007, Sadr City was a very difficult place to operate. Yesterday he told me it's completely different-180-degree turn around-and he said the Iraqi army that's occupying Sadr City now is very competent and very professional. And so I'd like to think that we had a part in that.<br /> <br /> Here at Twentynine Palms I'm what's known as a Coyote, specifically Coyote 2-2 alpha. We are the ones who are charged with evaluating infantry battalions, infantry companies. Before any battalion deploys to Iraq or Afghanistan, they come through us first for some of the most difficult training they will ever get. Specifically, I evaluate what we refer to as "fires." That's their planning and execution of artillery, mortars, helicopters and jets, as well.<br /> <hr /><h2>Setting the Example for a Platoon</h2>Glover3Leadership :57<br /> <br /> Maj Ian Glover:<br /> Soon as I became a platoon commander and you stand in front of those 30, 40, 50 Marines, and you're a young 23, 24-year-old lieutenant and all those Marines are looking at you and they expect you to do big things. They expect you to challenge them. These are people's sons, these are people's daughters, and they deserve the best from you and that experience is, when you figure that out, when you come to that realization it's humbling.<br /> <br /> This isn't a 9 to 5 kind of job that we do. The decisions that we make and the things that we do affect people's lives. I think that's what leadership by example requires is that for you to look at yourself every day and ask yourself, am I doing my best and at the end of the day ask yourself have I done my best and if not, what am I going to do to fix that tomorrow and how will I improve because there's always room for improvement.<br /> <br /> You're going to be their example. You're their example of what an officer is or what a captain is, what a major is. That's what's appealing about command.<br /> <hr /><h2>The Qualities of a Marine Officer</h2>Glover4Benefits 1:21<br /> <br /> Maj Ian Glover:<br /> To become a good officer, I would say first you have to have good moral character. You have to have the desire to lead and I think you also have to be humble. You need to be intelligent. You need to be able to think on your feet quickly. You need to be able to take a plan that's maybe not 100 percent, maybe you get 75 percent of the plan and you get what your commander's intent is and you need to be able to take that and come up with the remaining 25 percent of the plan on your own.<br /> <br /> The best part about being a Marine Officer is the ability and the opportunities you have to effect change. And not just effect change but affect people as well. The Marines we lead are, they are America's most precious asset and they are paying attention and they want to be challenged and they want good, quality leaders. And it's just very rewarding to have that opportunity. It's an honor. It's like it's not a job. It's almost a calling. This isn't something you do just for the personal glory. You have to be somewhat selfless to do this-to do it well, I think. <br /> <br /> The Marine Corps is the best fraternity in the world. The people that you meet just walking around; World War II vets will come up to you and they'll want to shake your hand. You'll have people come up and say, "Thanks for serving." There is no fraternity like the Marine Corps. Even people that haven't been Marines but have family in the Marine Corps have that strong bond.<br /> <hr /> </p> </span>

Everyone knows Marines just do not quit. We do not fail. We have a very good reputation and we’ve earned it.
—Capt Ian Glover

Commissioned: 1996
Commissioning Program: Platoon Leaders Class
Education: University of South Carolina

As an instructor for one of the Marine Corps’ toughest training programs, Major Ian Glover knows that when given a challenge, Marines do not fail. His unit, stationed at 29 Palms, is responsible for the training that ensures every battalion is fully prepared for deployment around the world.

He has deployed three times himself, and considers his year spent training the Iraqi Army among the most rewarding in 12 years of service.

Marines. The Few. The Proud.

Maj Ian Glover
Artillery Officer

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Marines. The Few. The Proud.

Maj Ian Glover Artillery Officer

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Maj Ian Glover
Artillery Officer