My neighbor, the three-star lieutenant general

In honor of Veterans Day and this month of gratitude, I thought I’d share about my neighbor, LtGen (Ret.) Frank Panter, a career military officer who attained the rank of three-star lieutenant general. Every time I speak with him I get much more than a lesson on patriotism. I learn something about leadership.

Military service was a tradition in LtGen Panter’s family. His father was a Marine in World War II. His mother also served in WWII as a Navy WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). In 1968, at age 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a private. He was certain he’d be heading to Vietnam, and he did – two years later.

I am grateful for his service, his family’s service. I am grateful for all who have served our armed forces.

As an enlisted Marine, LtGen Panter went to night school when he wasn’t training or deployed. When his four-year enlistment was up, he went to the University of Tennessee on the GI bill, finished in three years and got a commission in the Marine Corps to serve as an officer.

He likened his experience to joining a company in an entry-level job and working your way to management. You know, from actual experience, the duties and responsibilities of your “troops” – be they soldiers or tellers.

Another thing he said that stuck with me as far as leadership goes: “Anyone who has done any serious ‘soldiering’ is the least likely to aggressively seek war as a solution during a crisis; they know what it means and the sacrifices to be made.”

That’s a good reminder for civilians that applies to all kinds of conflict and all kinds of roles. It’s a life lesson.

Other life lessons LtGen Panter took from the military that I intend to add to my journal and refer to repeatedly:

• Put others before self.
• You can’t learn anything if you are doing all the talking.
• Sometimes exhibiting moral courage is harder than physical courage.
• Never make excuses for your own mistakes. Fess up and be honest; don’t blame others.
• Be consistent in all things – praise and discipline. Never show favoritism.
• Keep goals realistic so people can achieve them.
• Establish priorities. If there are no priorities, no one will appreciate a sense of urgency when needed.
• Be clear in your guidance.

Before you do something, think it through.?If you can’t explain logically why you took a certain course of action, it is probably a bad choice.

The last thing I want to share from my neighbor is something we can do on Veterans Day, July 4th, Memorial Day and any other day of the year. He said, “When given a chance, thank an active-duty service member or veteran for his or her service. This means something to these folks.”

So, I’ll close by thanking LtGen Panter and all the other brave men and women who have ever served in uniform. Thank you all.

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