CGSC Assistant Professor, Foundation Trustee speaks to students about character

On Aug. 2, 2022, during Command and General Staff Officer Course (CGSOC) student orientation, Col. (Ret.) Dwayne Wagner, a U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) Assistant Professor and CGSC Foundation Trustee, spoke to more than 900 students in the Eisenhower Auditorium of the Lewis and Clark Center on Fort Leavenworth.

Col. (Ret.) Dwayne Wagner addresses the class of 2023 on becoming leaders of character.

Col. (Ret.) Dwayne Wagner addresses the CGSOC class of 2023 on becoming leaders of character on Aug. 2, 2022. (photo by Captain Eli Rothblatt, CGSC student)

The topic of Wagner’s presentation was his 2021 Military Review article “We Have Come A Long Ways; We Have A Ways To Go,” focusing on his father’s life story and journey through the racism and discrimination of the 1950s and 1960s. Wagner spoke of his own career in the Army from 1978-2008, and the different leaders he encountered along the way, noting that most were leaders of character and some were not. Wagner challenged the students to listen to others, self-reflect, and strive to treat all people with dignity and respect.

Later this year, Wagner and other faculty will participate in a panel that follows up on Wagner’s presentation and explores how to become a Leader of Character.

Listen to Wagner’s presentation and read his Military Review article using the links below.
Educating Leaders of Character, Dwayne Wagner
We Have Come A Long Ways; We Have A Ways To Go, Military Review