The Iron Major Survival Guide is the essential self-help book for senior Captains, Field Grade officers, and staff leaders & managers of all types – both in and out of uniform. Army Lieutenant Colonel David Dunphy composed this work after years of teaching junior and mid-grade staff officers, and leading units and staffs in varying capacities. It’s not a be-all, end-all, “how to make General” book; rather, it’s a comprehensive anthology of hundreds of timeless tips and tricks on how to make it through the daunting and confusing world of staff operations. In all of the Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) it’s almost assured that an officer or non-commissioned officer (NCO) will serve on one kind of staff or another, probably for more years than one would care to. Managing and leading a staff is tough, thankless work. It’s chaotic, tedious, sometimes unforgiving, and can end a leader’s career faster than a negligent discharge on a parade field. This book is the definitive road map to getting through it all without committing careericide. If nothing else, The Iron Major Survival Guide provides an illuminating checklist of the things a staff leader and manager should consider when being assigned to or running a staff. Younger officers can also use this book to gain perspective on the challenges inherent in those imminent and crucible Field Grade years, and from that vantage point, make adjustments to their own management techniques in a continued effort to make their organizations better. Refreshingly written by a guy who did not become a General himself, The Iron Major Survival Guide contains plenty of self-deprecating humor and “there I was, scraping more occupational dog poo off my boots” vignettes that every officer and leader can relate to.
"Penned with a wry wit, LTC Dunphy outlines the do's and, more importantly, the don'ts of leadership from a staff officer's perspective. Politically incorrect as hell, Dunphy has items like "mouth breather" alerts and "bush league/amateur hour" statements. As I read through the survival guide last night, I found myself nodding in agreement or outright laughing along with the author. However, the book is not about entertaining Major B, it is about making Major B a far better officer than he thinks he is"
-Blackfive
Beyond the honesty and the simplicity of the IMSG, is the applicability of its message, which transcends the specifics of branch or unit. I read the early version many years ago, as a pre-command Captain, and its message resonated with me as both a staff officer and as a company commander. The book is directed towards the Iron Majors, but anyone that is working on or with a staff will reap benefits from its lessons, too. (Pro tip: it’s not just for officers, either.)
-MP Project
“David Dunphy speaks in language easily understood by his primary audience, and he includes a Glossary of Acronyms in the back for those who may not recognize a specific term. Though the backdrop of his book is the military, LTC Dunphy’s book transcends the bounds of his target audience by touching on organizational topics of leadership, staff dynamics, boss-employee relationships, performance evaluation, and much more. The author’s message is best understood by Field Grade Officers who have already experienced some—if not all—of the professional minefields, obstacles, and cleared objectives that the author describes, but Dunphy’s often humorous anecdotal approach steeped in his own personal experience relays precise wisdom any officer or NCO desiring growth should take to heart and apply to his or her own self development.”
-Modern War Institute
