Watchman at the Gates
A Soldier’s Journey from Berlin to Bosnia
George Joulwan with David Chanoff, University Press of Kentucky, 2021, 266 pages
Book Review published on: December 11, 2025
The book Watchman at the Gates: A Soldier’s Journey from Berlin to Bosnia truly exhibits the epitome of a leader who was entrusted with some of the most challenging assignments and tasks that had a tremendous impact on the stability and security of our great Nation during his time. Gen. George Joulwan’s story is so uplifting and inspiring that I could not put this book down. Joulwan was born and raised in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, by two parents who were of Lebanese heritage. Young Joulwan excelled in school and sports and received a nomination for West Point. At West Point, he continued to excel academically and in athletics and received many accolades. This book captures the true essence of a man driven by challenges and who was empowered to advise the greatest leaders in American history. The experiences and the stories shared are real and cover a span of history that was very controversial. I was amazed at the engagements he had with the highest officials in the White House and the Pentagon when he was a field grade and senior field grade officer. He was frequently requested by prominent military leaders and politicians.
Joulwan coauthored this book with David Chanoff, and together they did an excellent job of highlighting key personal and professional events in his life. Joulwan was truly a soldier’s soldier and would often engage with soldiers at training sites and ranges. He had a tremendous genuine interest for the training and development of his soldiers and for the security and safety of their families. Upon graduation from West Point, he served in Europe and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division for his junior officer leadership time during the Cold War. He witnessed both the construction and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Joulwan became an expert on Russian doctrine and how to deter the Soviet threat in Europe. Commitment to training soldiers and being prepared was a high priority, and Joulwan’s units excelled at warfighter exercises and evaluations. The accolades received were a testament to his strong leadership and commitment to ensuring soldiers were well equipped and trained.
Superior officers were often impressed and news spread quickly about Joulwan’s outstanding training and leadership abilities. Joulwan was inspired and mentored by Gen. William DePuy, a decorated World War II veteran who later became the first commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and parlayed with accomplishments and influence as a leader. In the book, prominent leaders like Alexander Haig, John Vessey, and Colin Powell were all inspirational. The relationship and engagements with former U.S. presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and William Clinton as an advisor on national security issues were highly commendable. Joulwan played a significant role and influence on foreign policy initiatives during those critical times in American history.
Joulwan served multiple tours in Vietnam, commanding troops in combat. I was intrigued by Joulwan’s adaptation to the leadership challenges in a very unpopular war in the eyes of the American public. Building relationships through strong leadership and team building was the recipe for success as insubordination, racial tension, and drug use were out of control in Vietnam. Joulwan was aware that many soldiers did not understand the mission or their purpose for fighting in Vietnam. Despite the obstacles and dilemmas, troop morale was high, and they performed well in combat operations. Senior leaders, including Gen. William Westmoreland, were impressed with Joulwan’s leadership abilities and success in a difficult command climate. Joulwan experienced firsthand America’s discontent with the war in Vietnam when he was assigned as an ROTC instructor at Loyola University in Chicago. The war was even more unpopular with college students who could eventually face the fate of a draft notice to serve. Joulwan’s approach was more diplomatic than combative and defensive, and he often held open discussions with students that allowed them to ask questions on controversial topics. Eventually, students gained a tremendous respect for Joulwan and a better understanding of the Vietnam conflict. Joulwan felt a profound sense of accomplishment when he left that assignment.
Early on there was no doubt that the young Joulwan’s future had general officer stars in it. The assignments received were a testament to his abilities and the senior leadership’s confidence in him. He maintained successful commands at the brigade, division, and corps level as well as success as the White House chief of staff, receiving accolades from Haig and Clinton. They both felt this leader was key to the establishment of a safe, secure, and democratic Europe. Leadership and advice were essential to the senior decision-making levels of our national security framework. Before retiring as the NATO allied supreme commander in 1997, Joulwan made history by creating strategic policy for the United States in Africa. In addition, he served as commander in chief of the U.S. Southern Command. This warrior has commanded at the highest levels in our Nation’s Army, from the battlefields of Vietnam to the White House and across the globe making organizations better and stronger. Joulwan is a true hero who represented why we fight to protect America’s democratic way of life, the highest calling.
Book Review written by: Lt. Col. Jerome C Duffy Jr., U.S. Army, Retired, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas