Episode 51 - Major Geoff Ball, USMC - Leadership Development from the Tactical Edge
Major Geoff Ball, USMC - Leadership Development from the Tactical Edge
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with Major Geoff Ball, a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer whose career spans combat deployments, command, professional military education, and leadership development. A graduate of The George Washington University, Major Ball commissioned in 2012 and has served in rifle platoon leadership, company command, and operational planning roles across the operating forces, including multiple deployments with SPMAGTF-Crisis Response-Central Command and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Our conversation traces Major Ball’s leadership journey from the tactical edge of the Global War on Terror to shaping the next generation of officers in the classroom. He reflects candidly on formative experiences - including working with wounded warrior families and boots on the ground at Abbey Gate during the withdrawal from Afghanistan - and how those moments reshaped his understanding of service, sacrifice, and command responsibility. We discuss the challenges young officers face today, the leadership traits that separate competent performers from truly exceptional ones, and how officers can take ownership of their professional growth in a rapidly changing operational environment.
A central focus of the episode is Major Ball’s passion for junior officer development and professional discourse. In 2020, he founded The Connecting File, a platform designed to share best practices across the infantry, reconnaissance, and light armored reconnaissance communities. Now serving as a leadership instructor at the United States Naval Academy, Major Ball offers a thoughtful perspective on how professional military education is evolving to prepare leaders for the demands of future wars and conflicts. This episode is a grounded, reflective discussion on leadership, learning, and what it means to preparing oneself for what comes next.
Guest Bio
A native of Denver, Colorado, Major Ball attended Platoon Leaders Class – Combined in 2011 and commissioned in May 2012 after graduating from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. In May 2013, he reported to The Basic School where he was designated as an Infantry Officer upon graduation with Delta Company.
From 2014 to 2017, Major Ball served as a Rifle Platoon Commander and Executive Officer for Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines in Twentynine Palms, California, deploying twice in support of SPMAGTF-Crisis Response-Central Command 15.2 and 16.1. He then reported for instructor duty at The Basic School, where he served as the Infantry Platoon Commander, a BOC and WOBC Staff Platoon Commander, and finally as Course Director for the Instructor Education Program.
In 2020, Major Ball attended the US Army’s Maneuver Captain Career Course at Fort Benning before assuming command of Company G, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines in Camp Pendleton, California. He deployed once more aboard SPMAGTF-CR-CC 21.2 and subsequently was assigned as the Future Operations Officer for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Western Pacific 23.1 deployment.
Major Ball reported to the United States Naval Academy as the LEAD Division Staff Director and Leadership Instructor in June 2023.
Referenced links:
The Connecting File: https://thecxfile.substack.com/about
American Veterans Center: https://americanveteranscenter.org/category/videos/
Abbey Gate: Surviving the Last Devastating Attack in the Afghan War | Geoff Ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m_mO1-eYpU
Catch the podcast episode online:
YouTube - click here to listen
Spotify - click here to listen
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