Purpose Driven Leadership

The Golden Warrior Project was founded by 1LT Patrick Brundidge and 1LT Roxana Pozos, who first met during a Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At the time, they were cadets representing two different ROTC programs—North Carolina A&T’s Aggie Battalion and UNC Charlotte’s 49er Battalion. Despite their different paths, they shared a common observation: junior officer development often ends once an officer graduates from their initial training course.

After arriving at their first duty stations, both officers noticed that leadership development varied widely depending on the unit. Some junior officers had strong mentorship and guidance; others were left to figure things out on their own. This inconsistency highlighted a gap in how we prepare young leaders for the challenges of military service.

To close that gap, they launched the Golden Warrior Project—a junior officer-led initiative focused on mentorship, professional growth, and the transfer of real-world leadership knowledge. Through peer-to-peer support, networking, and access to experienced leaders, we help junior officers build the confidence, clarity, and competence needed to lead effectively.