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<p>Major General <em>Robert Hinds “Bob” Scales Jr.</em> (U.S. Army, Retired) was born in Gainesville, FL to Colonel Robert Scales (Retired) and Clyde Scales. From a young age, Bob knew he wanted to be a soldier. He went from marching up and down boat ramps, pulling security duty in the Philippines at age 5 and leaving Pirmasens, Germany to enter Fork Union Military Academy. Upon graduation from Fork Union, he realized his dream and became a member of the storied West Point Class of 1966.</p>
<p>Bob’s cadet days were a combination of hard work and humor. He taught his Beast Barracks roommates how to spit-shine shoes, which some say was the most disciplined thing he did at the Academy. The Lost Fifties were the perfect place for Bob as a plebe, where he was recognized early, but still walked many a tour. He also learned to play the guitar from his plebe roommate, a skill he passed on to his little brother. At West Point he was able to begin his lifelong passion for learning and applying the history of war to modern-day fighting. Many of his classmates will remember him for his easy smile and a quick joke. His humor could be seen throughout his cadet days, particularly evident when he played “Mrs. Holland, the Cadet Hostess” in a 500th Night skit.</p>
<p>During his time as a cadet, he met and fell in love with Diana Weiss. They were often seen dancing at the Firstie Club or driving around in Diana’s Covair. They were married on November 19, 1966 and had a storybook romance for over 57 years. Their family grew to four with two daughters, Maria and Monica, who followed in Bob’s footsteps as commissioned officers. A favorite story is how Bob went from playing airborne with them at night at Fort Bragg, NC to them being airborne qualified in ROTC.</p>
<p>Bob and Diana started their military career in Germany, and Bob was called to Vietnam. He served valiantly in Vietnam, where he commanded two units in the 101st Airborne Division, earning the Silver Star during battles around Dong Ap Bia, aka “Hamburger Hill.” After his return Stateside, Bob continued his passion for military history and pursued a Ph.D. in history at Duke. In 1976 he successfully defended his dissertation and added “doctor” to his list of titles. Bob was a gifted writer who combined self-confidence and an extraordinary grasp of military history with a quickness of mind that he continued to demonstrate later at the Pentagon and beyond.</p>
<p>As an educator he wrote many books about warfighting, and he was selected by the Chief of Staff of the Army to author Certain Victory: The US Army in the Gulf War. This traced efforts to modernize the Army after Vietnam to the success that was achieved in the Army victory in the 100-hour desert ground war.</p>
<p>Following a successful battalion command in Korea and brigade command at Fort Sill, OK, Bob made his first star and served as assistant division commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. Major General Scales culminated his active-duty service as commandant of the Army War College, where he spent three years doing what he loved best, training soldiers to be thoughtful and vigilant in war-fighting.</p>
<p>After his service, Bob continued to be active in military affairs, including his passion for getting soldiers an upgraded rifle. When he finally succeeded, he considered this one of his major accomplishments for the welfare of modern-day soldiers. He also was known as a preeminent educator while president of Walden University and cofounder of Colgen, Inc., a company dedicated to advancing innovation in leadership with emphasis on soldiers, Marines and land power. Further, he was a highly respected military commentator on Fox News for over 12 years, in addition to being on National Public Radio and an editorialist for the Wall Street Journal.</p>
<p>While speaking with many audiences, he always had a sense of humor. He and Diana loved to cruise and to vacation in Aruba. On one trip to Aruba, they were having drinks on the beach in the evening and this couple was sitting close by. Bob never knew a stranger and, as the couple marveled at the fireworks display, he leaned over and said to them, “Do you know that today is Aruban Independence Day and local people are celebrating with fireworks?” The couple was astonished and told Bob that, though they had been coming to Aruba for many years, they never knew this. This, being a total story, and Bob smiled and continued to drink his martini. He taught his daughters that if you say something with conviction and confidence you are bound to be believed. This was just one of many practical jokes. </p>
<p>Bob was a great soldier, warrior, historian, classmate and friend. He also was a great role model of a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Diana; his daughters, Maria and Monica; his sons-in-law, Douglas and Dennis; and his grandchildren: Matthew, Sophia, Sean, and Diana. He lived our West Point motto, “Duty, Honor, Country,” to the nth degree in all that he did. May he Rest in Peace.</p>
<p><em>— Family, Classmates, and John Dubia ’66 </em></p>
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