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5 Non-Negotiable Rules From 'The Category 5 General' Russel Honoré On Leadership, Climate, And Why You Must 'Don't Get Stuck On Stupid'

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Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré (U.S. Army, Ret.) remains one of the most compelling and authoritative voices on national security, disaster preparedness, and environmental justice well into the mid-2020s. Known to many as “The Category 5 General” for his decisive, no-nonsense leadership during the Hurricane Katrina response in 2005, his mission has shifted from the battlefield and disaster zone to the ongoing climate crisis and the fight for environmental equity. This article, updated for late 2024 and 2025, explores his enduring legacy, his current initiatives, and the critical lessons he continues to share with the world on how to avoid getting "stuck on stupid." The General’s relevance is not just historical; his recent commentary on topics ranging from the National Guard’s role in domestic security to the urgent need for a cohesive national climate strategy keeps him at the forefront of public discourse. His unique blend of military discipline and grassroots advocacy offers a powerful blueprint for resilience in an increasingly volatile world.

Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré: Complete Biographical Profile

Lieutenant General Russel Luke Honoré is a decorated three-star general of the United States Army whose career spanned 37 years of distinguished service, culminating in national prominence for his role in leading Joint Task Force Katrina. He transitioned his military expertise into a second career as a global authority on leadership, safety, and environmental preparedness.

  • Full Name: Russel Luke Honoré
  • Born: September 15, 1947
  • Hometown/Birthplace: Lakeland, Louisiana (Born into a large Creole family)
  • Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Agriculture from Southern University and A&M College; Master of Arts in Human Resources from Troy State University. He also completed the U.S. Army War College.
  • Military Commission: Second Lieutenant of Infantry (1971)
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant General (LTG)
  • Key Military Assignments:
    • Commander, Joint Task Force Katrina (2005)
    • 33rd Commanding General, U.S. First Army (Headquartered at Fort Gillem)
    • Commanding General, Second Infantry Division, South Korea
    • Vice Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff
  • Post-Military Role: Founder and leader of the "GreenARMY," an environmental advocacy group focused on environmental justice and climate change.
  • Notable Post-Military Service: Led the U.S. Capitol Complex Security Review following the January 6, 2021, attack.
  • Published Works: Survival: How a Culture of Preparedness Can Save You and Your Family from Disasters (2010), Leadership in the New Normal (2012), and Don't Get Stuck on Stupid!: Leadership in Action (2017).

Honoré's Current Mission: The GreenARMY and Environmental Justice

Since his retirement, General Honoré has taken on what he calls the "climate crisis" as the new national security threat, particularly in his home state of Louisiana, which is disproportionately affected by extreme weather and industrial pollution.

His post-military focus is channeled through the GreenARMY, a coalition of environmental experts and community advocates he founded.

The GreenARMY's core mission is to promote environmental justice, arguing that poor, minority, and working-class communities often bear the brunt of industrial pollution and the devastating effects of climate-driven natural disasters.

In his most recent public addresses, Honoré has consistently pushed for a national policy that incorporates "green energy technology" and emphasizes local resilience to prevent future catastrophes.

He views the fight against air and water pollution as a moral imperative, directly linking the health of the community to the health of the environment, a perspective deeply rooted in his Louisiana heritage.

The 'Category 5 General's' 5 Non-Negotiable Rules for Leadership and Life

General Honoré's leadership style, famously characterized by the phrase "Don't Get Stuck on Stupid," is a direct, no-nonsense approach forged in decades of military service and crisis management. His philosophy centers on preparation, clear communication, and swift, decisive action. Here are five core tenets he continues to advocate in his 2024 and 2025 speaking engagements:

1. Adapt or Die: Embrace the New Normal

The General stresses that the world is in a "new normal" of increasing threats, from extreme weather events to cyber warfare. His advice is simple: Adapt or Die. Leaders and organizations must stop pretending they are prepared for yesterday's problems and begin building resilience for tomorrow's unpredictable challenges. This means investing in new technologies, updating infrastructure, and constantly reviewing emergency preparedness plans.

2. Don't Get Stuck on Stupid: The Power of Clear Communication

The title of his third book, Don't Get Stuck on Stupid!, is his mantra for cutting through bureaucracy and confusion during a crisis. It means avoiding paralysis by analysis, eliminating ambiguous language, and ensuring that every person—from a high-ranking official to a volunteer—knows their mission.

  • The Core Lesson: In a crisis, the most critical resource is time. Clear, direct communication saves lives and prevents costly mistakes.

3. The Three-Point Leadership Check

Honoré simplifies effective leadership into three essential questions that leaders at any level should ask themselves:

  • What is the commander's intent? (What is the main goal?)
  • What are my resources? (What do I have to work with?)
  • What is my timeline? (When does it need to be done?)

This military-style framework ensures focus, accountability, and disciplined execution, which he argues is just as vital in a corporate boardroom as it is in a disaster recovery zone.

4. Connect the Dots: Climate is National Security

A major focus of his current advocacy is the need for the American public and its leaders to connect the dots between the climate crisis and national security. He points out that natural disasters—from hurricanes and floods to wildfires—drain military and FEMA resources, disrupt critical infrastructure, and destabilize communities, making them a direct threat to the nation's security and economic stability.

His work with the GreenARMY is a practical application of this belief, aiming to secure a "better future for Louisiana" by preventing further environmental degradation.

5. The Need for a Culture of Preparedness

Drawing on his experience commanding Joint Task Force Katrina, Honoré argues that effective disaster response begins long before the storm hits. His philosophy advocates for a "Culture of Preparedness" at the individual, community, and federal levels.

This includes:

  • Individual Responsibility: Having a 72-hour survival kit and a family evacuation plan.
  • Community Resilience: Local governments investing in sustainable infrastructure and early warning systems.
  • Federal Accountability: Ensuring agencies like FEMA are fully funded and operate with maximum efficiency, a topic he has commented on recently in the context of federal budget cuts.

Enduring Influence and Legacy

Beyond his military service and disaster relief work, Lieutenant General Honoré’s influence extends into the realm of national policy. His 2021 review of the U.S. Capitol Complex Security provided key recommendations that shaped the security posture of the legislative branch, demonstrating his continued role as a trusted advisor on national security matters.

As he continues to lead the GreenARMY and share his leadership insights, General Honoré serves as a powerful reminder that the principles of discipline, clear thinking, and decisive action—the hallmarks of a great military leader—are exactly what is needed to tackle the complex challenges of the 21st century. His legacy is one of service, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to protecting people, whether from a foreign threat, a catastrophic storm, or the slow, steady danger of environmental neglect.

lieutenant general russel l. honoré
lieutenant general russel l. honoré

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