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SEAC Colon-Lopez Releases Reading List for Service Members

March 3, 2020 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez seems to believe in President Harry S. Truman's statement, "Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers."

The SEAC has released a reading list of five books for 2020, and all of them stress different aspects of leadership. 

Colon-Lopez wants service members to read the books and also discuss and reflect on the content of them. 

Man in uniform uses remote control to maneuver robot as two others watch.
Man in uniform uses remote control to maneuver robot as two others watch.
Colon-Lopez Meeting
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez, left, remotely controls a Micro Tactical Ground Robot. Explosive ordnance disposal team members Air Force Senior Airman Nathan Davis, center, and Senior Airman Edward Uhrick with the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron watch during a unit capabilities display tour at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 20, 2020. The MTGR is the 786th CES Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight's new dismount robot.
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Photo By: Airman 1st Class John Wright
VIRIN: 200220-F-KY598-1392

It is an eclectic listing of books going from Attila the Hun to Ernest Shackleton, and from the highest mountains of the world to the halls of power. The one constant is each deal with leadership and has lessons for readers. 

"My warrior ethos, profession as a pararescueman and active lifestyle led to the selection of these literary works," Colon-Lopez wrote. "This year, I decided to focus on some of my early readings — many of which I continuously reference for wisdom."

A military officer walks down the aisle between seated service members.
A military officer walks down the aisle between seated service members.
Landstuhl Lecture
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez speaks at a professional development opportunity for enlisted service members at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, Feb. 19, 2020.
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Photo By: Marcy Sanchez, Army
VIRIN: 200220-A-EK666-0041A

Without further ado, here is the SEAC’s 2020 reading list:

  • "The Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun," By Dr. Wess Roberts;
  • "Let the Word Go Forth," By Theodore Sorenson;
  • "Military leadership: In Pursuit of Excellence," By Robert Taylor, William Rosenbach and Eric Rosenbach;
  • "Moving Mountains: Lessons on Life and Leadership," By Reinhold Messner; and,
  • "Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer," By Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell.

Man in uniform speaks to troops.
Man in uniform speaks to troops.
Colon-Lopez Greeting
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez held a professional development opportunity for enlisted service members at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, while touring the largest United States hospital outside the continental U.S., Feb. 19.
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Photo By: Marcy Sanchez, Air Force
VIRIN: 200220-A-EK666-0040M

The SEAC looks forward to discussing these books with service members as he travels. He wants service members to spread this list far and wide, because as Napoléon Bonaparte said: "Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world."

The SEAC will release another list in 2021. 

Know Your Military Reading books Colon-Lopez seac

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