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Forging Brotherhood: Bart Womack's Journey From Ohio to Iraq
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When Sergeant Major Bart Womack decided to stay up late watching Tiger Woods play golf instead of sleeping, he had no idea that decision would save his life. Hours later, a fellow soldier would launch a devastating insider attack on his own unit in Kuwait, just days before they were set to cross into Iraq.
Womack's remarkable journey begins in Columbus, Ohio, where as the youngest of five siblings, he found discipline and purpose through early jobs before eventually wandering into a military recruiter's office simply to escape the cold while waiting for a bus. This chance encounter set him on a path through three decades of military service that would include elite assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, ceremonial duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and leadership positions culminating as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major.
Throughout our conversation, Womack reveals the formative experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy—one centered on people and mutual accountability. He shares powerful insights about mentorship, explaining how he consistently instructed officers to "allow your NCOs to do their job, but don't allow them not to" while simultaneously telling NCOs they were responsible for making their officers successful. This approach created a powerful system of checks and balances that elevated entire units.
The heart of our discussion explores the 2003 Kuwait attack when Sergeant Hasan Akbar, motivated by extremist beliefs, attacked the command staff with grenades and gunfire. This tragedy, which killed two officers and wounded fourteen others, led Womack to develop critical security awareness strategies that he now shares with organizations worldwide: trust no one, observe and report, know your neighbors, listen don't just hear, and trust your gut.
With insider threats accounting for over 90% of mass attacks in schools, workplaces, and public spaces, Womack's insights extend far beyond military applications. His message is urgent and clear—we must move beyond reactive security measures to proactive awareness if we hope to prevent violence before it occurs.
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By Bill KriegerSend us a text
When Sergeant Major Bart Womack decided to stay up late watching Tiger Woods play golf instead of sleeping, he had no idea that decision would save his life. Hours later, a fellow soldier would launch a devastating insider attack on his own unit in Kuwait, just days before they were set to cross into Iraq.
Womack's remarkable journey begins in Columbus, Ohio, where as the youngest of five siblings, he found discipline and purpose through early jobs before eventually wandering into a military recruiter's office simply to escape the cold while waiting for a bus. This chance encounter set him on a path through three decades of military service that would include elite assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, ceremonial duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and leadership positions culminating as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major.
Throughout our conversation, Womack reveals the formative experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy—one centered on people and mutual accountability. He shares powerful insights about mentorship, explaining how he consistently instructed officers to "allow your NCOs to do their job, but don't allow them not to" while simultaneously telling NCOs they were responsible for making their officers successful. This approach created a powerful system of checks and balances that elevated entire units.
The heart of our discussion explores the 2003 Kuwait attack when Sergeant Hasan Akbar, motivated by extremist beliefs, attacked the command staff with grenades and gunfire. This tragedy, which killed two officers and wounded fourteen others, led Womack to develop critical security awareness strategies that he now shares with organizations worldwide: trust no one, observe and report, know your neighbors, listen don't just hear, and trust your gut.
With insider threats accounting for over 90% of mass attacks in schools, workplaces, and public spaces, Womack's insights extend far beyond military applications. His message is urgent and clear—we must move beyond reactive security measures to proactive awareness if we hope to prevent violence before it occurs.
Support the show