Posted by Garrick M. Harmon on February 21, 2001:

What does one say that can accurately describe Rob Olson? To state that he is everything that is good about the army and its families is an understatement. I am one of the lucky officers to have worked directly for Rob. I arrived to A/1-8 FA in HI shortly after Rob took command, and I served as both a Fire Direction Officer and a Platoon Leader in his battery. Every day was a study in leadership at its finest. For all of the LTs, and especially for me, Rob was our guide and mentor. He allowed us to lead, always ready with the right guidance or comment necessary to refocus our efforts and learn. I moved on to command the 25th FAD (TA) and Rob, having commanded 2d FAD at Campbell, once again served as my primary mentor throughout my command. Later, I moved on to another command at Fort Sill, but Rob was only a phone call away. No matter what the issue, command, personal, or otherwise, Rob always made time for me, always serving as the mentor. I will always think of him as my mentor and role model. I can say that without a doubt, I owe a large part of my success to him and his way of interacting with anyone that he came into contact with. At my first outgoing change of command, I personally and publicly thanked Rob for his support and advice. I promised him that one day I would train my own LTs as he trained me, preparing them to be his battery commanders the day he became a battalion commander. I thought that the best way to honor him would be to continue the cycle of excellence that he started. Even in the face of this tragedy, and maybe more so because of it, I will continue this challenge. Because of Rob, our army is and will continue to be better. I can say with pride that I knew Rob, I worked for and learned from Rob, and I will continue to seek and achieve the high standards and ideals that he set for himself and those around him. CPT Garrick M. Harmon USMA '92

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