The story on how the following book came to my attention a long time ago.
During the 90’s, I was a corporate ‘Regional Technical Manager’ for one of the largest international healthcare businesses of the world (a fortune 100 organization).
A few of my responsibilities at the time included, but never limited to any single one exclusively was;
Each location included a ‘Management Information Service Manager’, ‘Facility Manager’ and ‘Security Manager’ that reported to me directly. Each manager would have a supporting staff of approximately 10-20 personnel depending on facility size and the number of in-house employees.
The largest facility of operations with approximately 2,200 in-house employees that serviced roughly 300 thousand customers per week went on strike in the middle of a contract negotiation (a work stoppage was declared).
I was quickly tasked by corporate senior management at the time to do whatever I needed to do to ensure that customers were not impacted negatively by the work stoppage and I quote, "You have an unlimited money budget”, per the president of the organization at that time.
The following 120 days, I was the head logistics coordinator of operations in charge.
One of the first things that I did, I hired a top-notch corporate security team out of the northwest region of the country.
A 40-member security team comprised of former military, police, S.W.A.T., federal marshals and security guards on & offsite 24/7 until further notice.
Each security team member was managed and directed by a former USAF Staff Sergeant - Bryan Stockdale, who did several secret military tours before and during the Vietnam War, which I didn’t know at the time of hire.
My work team/staff was successful managing the organization’s longest work stoppage ever in history with no significant issue of any kind and/or loss of service to customers and clients.
Bryan and his crew of professionals was key in protecting not only the facility, but several employees and their family’s around the clock until the work stoppage was completely over with four months later.
Sure, I received death threats at the time, along with others within the organization, however I, my staff, or family members was ever confronted with any hostile and/or physical threat during the entire strike.
When it came time for Bryan and his crew to pack up and head home, surprisingly, he gave me his business card that had all of his contact information along with a book that he helped co-wrote called,
‘SOG’ – The Secret Wars of America’s Commandos in Vietnam.
He wrote a very kind message within the book.
When I contracted the outside corporate security team initially, I really didn’t have a full understanding of Bryan’s complete background at the time other than I knew it was military in nature. It wasn’t until months later when I got around to reading his book that I truly understood and appreciated his expertise, knowledge and professionalism.
I felt honored and privileged to have worked with him and his crew after the fact.
It was an experience that I will never forget!
So I’d recommend the book to anyone who’s interested in some of our country’s military missions just prior to the Vietnam War and throughout.
P.S. – Full disclosure: Additional reason why I am suggesting the SOG book.
I just started reading a newly published book which reminded me of the SOG book. The new book is tough read and hard to image in these current times. I will debate whether it is worthy to share in the near future.
During the 90’s, I was a corporate ‘Regional Technical Manager’ for one of the largest international healthcare businesses of the world (a fortune 100 organization).
A few of my responsibilities at the time included, but never limited to any single one exclusively was;
- Daily Information Technology Operations,
- System Implementations,
- Security Integrity,
- Service & Product Contracts,
- Regulatory Audits,
- Client & Corporate Reports,
- Client & Corporate Tours,
- Project Presentations,
- Budgets for Information Technology, Facilities and Security
- Hiring staff, training, etc, etc, etc,,
Each location included a ‘Management Information Service Manager’, ‘Facility Manager’ and ‘Security Manager’ that reported to me directly. Each manager would have a supporting staff of approximately 10-20 personnel depending on facility size and the number of in-house employees.
The largest facility of operations with approximately 2,200 in-house employees that serviced roughly 300 thousand customers per week went on strike in the middle of a contract negotiation (a work stoppage was declared).
I was quickly tasked by corporate senior management at the time to do whatever I needed to do to ensure that customers were not impacted negatively by the work stoppage and I quote, "You have an unlimited money budget”, per the president of the organization at that time.
The following 120 days, I was the head logistics coordinator of operations in charge.
One of the first things that I did, I hired a top-notch corporate security team out of the northwest region of the country.
A 40-member security team comprised of former military, police, S.W.A.T., federal marshals and security guards on & offsite 24/7 until further notice.
Each security team member was managed and directed by a former USAF Staff Sergeant - Bryan Stockdale, who did several secret military tours before and during the Vietnam War, which I didn’t know at the time of hire.
My work team/staff was successful managing the organization’s longest work stoppage ever in history with no significant issue of any kind and/or loss of service to customers and clients.
Bryan and his crew of professionals was key in protecting not only the facility, but several employees and their family’s around the clock until the work stoppage was completely over with four months later.
Sure, I received death threats at the time, along with others within the organization, however I, my staff, or family members was ever confronted with any hostile and/or physical threat during the entire strike.
When it came time for Bryan and his crew to pack up and head home, surprisingly, he gave me his business card that had all of his contact information along with a book that he helped co-wrote called,
‘SOG’ – The Secret Wars of America’s Commandos in Vietnam.
He wrote a very kind message within the book.
When I contracted the outside corporate security team initially, I really didn’t have a full understanding of Bryan’s complete background at the time other than I knew it was military in nature. It wasn’t until months later when I got around to reading his book that I truly understood and appreciated his expertise, knowledge and professionalism.
I felt honored and privileged to have worked with him and his crew after the fact.
It was an experience that I will never forget!
So I’d recommend the book to anyone who’s interested in some of our country’s military missions just prior to the Vietnam War and throughout.
P.S. – Full disclosure: Additional reason why I am suggesting the SOG book.
I just started reading a newly published book which reminded me of the SOG book. The new book is tough read and hard to image in these current times. I will debate whether it is worthy to share in the near future.
