Operation Noble Impact - How Veterans Will Re-father a Nation.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity right before us.

Do you see it?

A warrior class is rising, with the moral clarity, courage, and conviction that is igniting a movement.

Operation Noble Impact (ONI) represents a visionary spark of systemic change that will re-father a nation.

Forged in the crucible of our nation’s longest wars, this post 9/11 generation continues to evolve as a “living sacrifice,” extending well beyond, “Thank you for your service.”

I submit we are the “seed carriers” of our nation’s DNA in all that is good, emerging as a national treasure.

But what exactly does that mean?? Why us?? Why now?

Simply put – A veteran’s character and competence, driven by duty, honor and selfless service represents what was once the moral standard (DNA) of this nation.

I am reminded of the words often attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville:

"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Whether or not these words are his, they reflect a deeper truth—that a nation's greatness is rooted in its moral character, in the choices its people and leaders make, to uphold integrity, service, and unity.?

Will America Cease to be Great?

Maybe…?

On the road less traveled is the wisdom to recognize a national fatherlessness that continues to erode her character.

We are at an incredible inflection point in American history.? The question we must ask ourselves is this:

Who will re-father this nation?

Who will step into the breach to restore what’s been lost and create what’s never been built?

As ‘seed carriers’ veterans possess the moral character to “Re-father” this nation back to its roots.

BUT... and this is a big one:

Our community must first recognize we have a problem and begin to unify around what I am calling a “Soulution of Extreme Ownership.”

This requires a deep introspection to rediscover our unity and reawaken our DNA for such a time as this.

Your Red Pill Moment

BLUF: Nobody is coming for us.? NOBODY!? Think about it.

No one else will engage above and beyond the competing priorities of a nation on the brink.?

It is up to us.?

It is up to the military connected community of tribal leaders to have the courage to step out of their silos of limited success and recognize:

Trust in institutions has eroded…

Communities are fragmented…

That this nation has lost its moral compass…

That the system is ultimately broken and in desperate need of replacement…

How Revolutions Begin

History shows us that revolutions often begin with a small, determined group of individuals who share a clear vision and unrelenting purpose.

During the founding of this nation, our forefathers did not wait for permission or perfect conditions—they acted.

They recognized the brokenness of their time, stepped into the breach, and declared independence from a system that no longer served the people.

Their courage and clarity forged the blueprint for America’s greatness.?

In the same way, I see this movement—a warrior class rising—as the nucleus of a new revolution.

Not one fought with muskets or cannons, but a revolution of renewal and restoration in a “Declaration of Interdependence” that will Transform a Veteran – Transform a Nation.

This is about reclaiming the moral and cultural DNA of our nation, rebuilding what’s been lost, and creating what’s never been built.

The 10x10 Reformation Matrix that follows serves as our modern-day roadmap for addressing today’s fractures with the same courage and clarity that defined our founders.

Each problem it identifies is an opportunity for collective action, and each solution is a step toward a unified and purpose-driven future.

Like our Founders, who were doubted and dismissed in their time, this movement will grow from the conviction of the few and inspire the courage of the many.

Just as our Founders were united by their shared commitment to freedom, we must also be united in our commitment to healing and renewal.

This is how revolutions begin.

This is how nations rise again.

Clarity is Power?

• BE CONVINCED: That these fractures have left a vacuum of leadership, where vision and action must converge to rebuild not just systems, but rebuild lives.
• BE CONVINCED: That Post 9/11 veterans are uniquely equipped and positioned to lead this charge with the discipline and teamwork to accomplish the mission.
• BE CONVINCED: That Post 9/11 veterans thrive in adversity, and most importantly, we have been entrusted with the sacred honor of a mission that continues in service AND sacrifice.
• BE CONVINCED: That this is not only about fixing broken systems; it’s about instilling a renewed sense of national purpose, healing divisions, and creating a foundation for generations to come.

And finally,

• BE CONVINCED: That Operation Noble Impact— is a once in a generation movement to unleash the transformative power of post 9/11 veterans to re-father this nation.

Because I am a design thinker, inspired by my Designer, with a faith that moves mountains, has led me to this 10x10 Reformation Matrix as a blueprint for transformation:

But…broken systems are hard to recognize when you are deep in them and even harder to fix when you are benefiting from its limited success.

Understanding the Totality of a Systems Failure

Here is our short story set across 10 National Core problems

• To the inch deep “Thank you for your service” that doesn’t go far enough
• To the All-Volunteer-Force that needs to be re-evaluated and redeployed
• To the unrecognized value of our service, proportional to our sacrifice
• To the rampant “fatherlessness” inherent in our culture creating an even bigger divide
• To the broken systems all around us that have compounded over time
• To the unrecognized knowledge, skills, and attributes (KSA’s) innate in most veterans
• To the veterans who are not fully prepared to re-enter civilian life and the workforce
• To the disproportional impact from the bias of employment systems
• To the fundamental weakness of no standard in transition excellence
• To the persistent nature of a charity case mindset that overshadows our true value

The totality of this systems failure is clear.? Once you see it, you cannot unsee it.

Understanding the Progressive Value of a Systems Solution

Here is our short story as told by our 10 national systems solutions

• ?To the warrior class rising, visibly leaderless, with a servant’s heart, quietly locking shields
• To the Declaration of Interdependence document creating a force multiplier of unity
• To the governance structure that builds the right system flow
• To the opportunity of “re-fathering” our youth, producing the next generation of warriors
• To the constitutional amendment that will hold our nation accountable for our sacrifice
• To the investment of a talent supply chain ecosystem in an exclusive chain of custody
• To the peer-to-peer safety net upstream that eliminates veterans suicide downstream
• To the virtuous life cycle of banking that creates a self-sustaining financial flow
• To the purity of this movement being ministered by a new and unified Chaplain Corp
• To the restoration and renewal of previous generations to reconcile divisions and healing?

Soulution of Extreme Ownership

The cognitive dissonance of your blue pill moment has past.? You can now return to your regularly scheduled programming, already in progress. ?I wish you well… ??

But for the warrior class rising, those early adopters where this resonates deep in your soul, I’m asking you to plug in and take extreme ownership.?

Plugging Into the Matrix

For each identified problem at the top (current state), there is a corresponding outcome at the bottom (future state) that represents the rebar of the foundation.

For each solution, there is a corresponding lane that intersects each problem that sets the depth and breathe of the long-term impact – the cement that brings it altogether.

For each “problem – solution,” there is a point of convergence, the intersection that represents the highest degree of value in the ultimate outcome and impact of:

Transform a Veteran – Transform a Nation.

One Powerful Example of Convergence

PROBLEM:? Charity case mindset focused on extreme point of pain first

SOLUTION:? An upstream peer to peer safety net

OUTCOME:? Investment in wellness and new identity during that most vulnerable window

IMPACT:? Downstream long-term impact of eliminating veteran suicide in less than one generation

Notice, I didn’t say “veteran suicide” is the problem.? The charity case mindset is.? Despite the millions and millions of dollars, programs, and goodwill, we still have rampant suicide in our community. ??Why is that?? Could it be that veteran suicide is symptomatic of a bigger issue?

As we engage with these solutions, it’s critical to envision the broader impact—what success will ultimately look like.

Declaring the End From the Beginning?

• When our nation recognizes our “living sacrifice” proportional to our service
• When our nation realizes we are a national treasure and acts accordingly
• When our nation understands the AVF are the seed carriers of our nation’s DNA
• When we step into the breach to re-father the fatherless
• When new systems emerge replacing the old
• When employers embrace we are the unique and superior talent in the workforce
• When veterans are fully prepared to re-enter civilian life at scale
• When employers proactively seek out veterans as a competitive advantage
• When a new standard in transition excellence is established with quality-of-life metrics
• When a new sacred honor is felt by our community in a new national identity of value

Then, and only then, will we see the fulfillment of the outcome and impact of:

Transform a Veteran – Transform a Nation.

More Than a Vision – My Life’s Calling

For me, this is deeply personal and a lifetime in the making.

I grew up an Army Brat, a military kid from a bi-racial marriage.

I am the son of a Viet Nam Veteran, with a ring side seat, that watched my father go through his horrific experience in a broken system that deprived him of a quality life that ended too soon.

I served in the Army, both active duty and reserves for 20 years, going through my own combat experience, seeing firsthand how my brothers and sisters were treated in the current broken system.

I spent over 25+ years in the bowels of Corporate America as an HR, Talent Management professional, experiencing the bias that continues to this day.

I am battle tested.

Walking with slight limp.

Pushing all of my chips in the middle of the table.

Trading all of my success and risking it all for this one moment:

Harnessing the power of a movement, where 45K VSO’s can plug into this matrix, creating a once in a lifetime, generational flow, that will transform veterans, who will in turn transform a nation.

The time to act is now.

A warrior class is rising—one that will re-father a nation and inspire generations to come.

Do you see it?

If you’re ready to take the first step, share this message, join the conversation, and be a part of the soulution of extreme ownership.

#operationnobleimpact

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Eddie Dunn is the Founder of the Civilian Ready Foundation - A Reboot Camp Transformation Experience that helps transitioning service members and veterans master their re-entry BEFORE they leave the military. He is also the thought leader behind the Veteran Ready Playbook, a new standard in employer excellence that improves organizational performance and grows revenue, by hiring veterans more effectively.