Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Pollock.
Hi Peter, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born in the US to Australian parents, my father was in the Royal Australian Air Force and was in the US training on a new plane (the F-111) when I was born, thus, I had dual citizenship. Raised in Australia till I decided to move back to the states and finish high school with the plan of entering the US military. In college, I chose Air Force ROTC. Received my degree and commissioned as a 2Lt into the USAF in 1993. 12 assignments, 2 combat deployments (Iraq and Afghanistan), 3 commands, I retired in 2017 and moved to San Antonio.
I started working at USAA as a contractor and then as a Full Time Employee. Worked there for 6 years before transitioning back to the government sector where I worked at JBSA Randolph as a government civilian. I took advantage of the Deferred Resignation Program offered by DOGE and am currently trying to get my own small business off the ground.
I started teaching leadership in my last assignment as a result of a unit survey where leadership was identified as not being very good at the first line. So, I taught one class, within my unit, and word spread, and I ended up teaching leadership across the base. When I got to USAA, I was asked by someone, who knew of my leadership class, to bring that class to USAA. I ended up teaching the class to more than 2,000 folks over the next 5 plus years. Many people who took the class at USAA suggested that I write a book on my life and the stories and learning experiences I have about leadership. What leadership is, and what it is not. I wrote that book and published “Leadership: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” in 2023.
In between my short hiatus from USAA and returning to government work, I decided to start my own small business (registered as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business), Gladius Consulting LLC. I have had a few engagements to date and am getting the word out about my classes, my keynote speaking engagements. I love to talk about Leadership. The leadership I teach and share are based on my life and learned experiences. Theory is one thing, but real leadership is learnt by actually doing. Making errors and improving. Leaders are not born, they are created through a process, and through Gladius, I want to share that journey.
I am now dedicated 100% to Gladius and sharing what real leadership looks like through real stories, real decisions, at home and in combat.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s tough getting the word out as there lots of people who do what I am trying to do. I believe I share leadership based on real world experiences. Understanding that it’s ok to fail and learn. That’s what leadership is. So, I guess my only struggle would be getting the word out. I truly believe that once people hear me and listen to the stories, the road may be smooth…if I could talk about my experiences in the hope of changing one person, then I have done my job.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is dedicated to teaching and sharing my leadership journey with the hope that it will help others. I don’t talk about theory, I talk about real life. What works and what doesn’t work. My brand would be: Real, Authentic, Leadership. I have over 30 years in this arena, and I still learn, every single day. When you come in contact with me, you will know one thing about me. I will tell you what you need to hear, as opposed to what you want to hear.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
https://www.instagram.com/colonelgladius/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpollock1/
https://calendly.com/gladiusconsultingtx/30min?month=2025-07
I have sent you my website, my book, my instagram account (Colonel Gladius) and my linked in account so you can see if you can use anything from them or use them in the article (the links). I have also included my Calendly link to set up a call with me
There are some youtube clips of me speaking and being interviewed, but they are all over the place…too many links to paste
Pricing:
- complimentary 30 minute call (link sent in the previous page)
- Depends on 1-1, keynote, half day sessions…number of people
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gladiusconsultingtx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colonelgladius/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pmpollock
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpollock1/
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Good-Ugly-Peter-Pollock/dp/108802842X
