Career, Sacrifice, Legacy, Purpose

My journey and career through military service started as a simple mistake. I entered a recruiters office to inform them that I would like my name taken off a calling list, I walked home that very same day with an enlistment in the United States Marine Corps. I was able to serve honorably and had the opportunity to attend a select number of elite and amazing schools while progressing to the rank sergeant and ultimately commissioning and retiring after 21 years. Upon returning from my first deployment, I knew then that the Marine Corps was larger-than-life, that the contributions I could make within the organization were limitless. Regardless where my life would take me from that point forward, I wanted to live a life of service.

Regardless where my life would take me from that point forward, I wanted to live a life of service.

I made it my mission to become a Marine Corps Officer. After commissioning as a second lieutenant, I competed for the chance to attend Naval flight school in Pensacola Florida. Upon being selected to attend, I competed for and selected F-18 Hornets as my platform and earned my wings of gold. My next duty station, Miramar California, I attended Advanced schooling at the Marine Corps F-18 Training Squadron. At brink of being dismissed from the aviation community due to academic performance, I completed the program and continued to have a fruitful career within the Hornet community achieving numerous qualifications and accomplishments. I flew the hornet with great men and women, individuals like Sterling “Stranger” Norton and Taj “Cabbie” Sareen, both who left behind a legacy which was grounded in character and selflessness.

I was asked to knock on a door, and provide unconditional support to someone, a family, that had sacrificed their living legacy.

It was these two gentlemen that drove me to serve after service. I was honored and humbled to be one of the casualty officers for Major Taj “Cabbie” Sareen. I was asked to knock on a door, and provide unconditional support to someone, a family, that had sacrificed their living legacy. Within the aviation community, we operate with such precision, trusting each other in every aspect of our professional and personal lives, and build a camaraderie that lasts a lifetime. In many cases, especially over the last few years, we experience loss, and that lifetime of comradely is taken from us. For me, the loss of both Cabbie and Sterling within a year of each other, helped me find my strengths, through their actions. Both of those amazing individuals, without even knowing it, lived the mantra “If Not Me Then Who...” through their very last moments.

"If Not Me, then Who..." - 1st Lt. Travis Manion

I now have the opportunity to speak to students, thousands of them, and share the stories of Travis, Sterling and Taj. The Travis Manion foundation, an organization I hold in the highest esteem, has empowered me with ability to help our country ground itself in character. From students just beginning their personal development to those transitioning into their third and fourth professional careers, I take the lessons learned from the F-18 community, the Marine Corps, through Sterling and Taj, and tie them into those 5 five words which Travis etched into his very own legacy, “If Not Me, then Who…” It's those five words that remind us that no matter who we are, it's our responsibility to be selfless and create impact by investing and others.