Your Incredible Neighbor: GV man commands attention

When Green Valley resident Ron Newman graduated from Pennsylvania Military College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a commission as second lieutenant in the Army Infantry, he found himself in a dilemma with dual career choices.

Undecided, he enrolled in law school at the University of Arizona and was accepted on Pearl Harbor Day in 1969; he ended up pursuing dual careers as a commercial litigation attorney and battalion commander.

Nineteen of his 30 years as commander were with tanks. However, many years were in the Reserve, giving Newman time to practice law.

From 1989 to 1992, he was given a high and unique position as commander to a “separate tank battalion” of 62 tanks at Fort Huachuca. “Separate tank battalions are not attached to higher units and are not part of higher headquarters,” he explained.

Newman took his position very seriously. “I was very ‘hands on.’ Many non-commissioned officers mentored me. To set an example, I needed to be visible; if soldiers faced hardships, I was there with them. As they crossed roads with a convoy of 100 vehicles, I acted as road guard—not a soldier. I was always there… it’s a leadership thing; I wanted to be able to share everything with the soldiers.”

An authentic “TANK CROSSING” sign hangs proudly in Newman’s new home in Quail Creek. He said it’s a tradition to present a commander with a gift when the commander leaves. Of his soldiers’ choice of presenting him with the sign, Newman said, “I couldn’t ask for a better gift; it’s symbolic.”

He told of attending the U.S. Army’s War College, a two-year program focusing on research, leadership and strategy. Located on the 500-acre campus of the Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pa., the school dates back to the 1770s and caters to high-level military personnel and civilians preparing them for strategic leadership responsibilities.

It is the Army’s most senior military educational institution and grants its graduates, both civilian and military, a Master’s degree in strategic studies.

“We would be assigned to read 4,000 pages on a specific topic, then be asked a question and would have to summarize our response in writing in 500 words. It was so difficult… the goal was to teach us a concise way to communicate.”

Before recently retiring from the Army with a rank of full colonel, Newman’s last command included 2,100 soldiers in three states—Arizona, California and Nevada. Now he’s a full-time litigation attorney with a civil practice representing businessmen and auto dealers on consumer issues such as reviewing dealer advertisements before publication.

Asked what he enjoyed most as a battalion commander, Newman said, “Seeing the enthusiasm of young people, seeing them develop, especially someone who was 18 or 19 and had no confidence… and the camaraderie.

What was the hardest part of being a commander? “Worrying whether everyone would come home, but I never lost a soldier. All came home with all their fingers and toes. I see that as my greatest accomplishment.”

Asked if there was a commonality between being a battalion commander and being an attorney, Newman immediately said, “Yes. You need to think on both feet; you need to be able to read people. In the Army you come across people from all walks of life, all religions, from all over. In the two years I served as Juvenile Superior Court Judge, a pro-tem appointment in Pima County, I was able to read people.”

Reflecting on the dual career choices he made, Newman said, “I’ve had the best of both worlds, I’ve enjoyed great mental work, I’ve been very fortunate…The Army made me a better judge, a better lawyer and a better person.

“But the Army didn’t do it all, I had the greatest parents. I still wear my dad’s watch.”

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net