Squad Leader of the week: Cpl. Adam Kyle

Cpl. Adam Kyle (Right), machine gun squad leader, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, talks to a Marine while outside his company office Sept. 21, 2011. Kyle, a native of Denver, Colo., has been with 1/1 for more then three years and deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit for seven months, going to countries throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East and northern Africa.
Kyle takes his squad leader billet seriously and said leadership is essential in the Marine Corps.
“That’s what the Marine Corps is based on: your leaders,” said Kyle. “If you can’t handle anything as a leader then your subordinates can’t handle anything themselves.” Kyle said his success as a leader comes from his willingness to do what is needed from him. “It’s hard to gain respect by telling someone to do something that you, yourself won’t do,” said Kyle.
Kyle also enjoys spending time with his Marines. “I’ll take them out and do anything with them, whatever they want to recommend for the night,” said Kyle. Kyle plans on finishing his time in the Marine Corps and then returning to construction. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Lenzo)