Reflections: Life Lessons Learned During My Service in The Military

Veterans Day is a day to be thankful to every man and woman who has worn our country’s uniform, who has taken an oath to protect our Constitution, our freedom, and our way of life.

Irrespective of race, religion, gender, or politics – it’s our shared patriotism that unites us.??We are bound by a common purpose, but we also are connected through our experiences and values: dedication, determination, teamwork, integrity, and perseverance. Many of us willingly took on more than our fair share of a job. We know first-hand about sacrifice.?When you’re in the military, you don’t choose who you serve with or sometimes even what you do, but you accept it because it is essential to the mission.

As an Army veteran who served 37 years, I am immeasurably proud of my military career and humbled by my induction into the Ranger Hall of Fame earlier this year. As I reflect, there are significant experiences that have defined who I am today.

I had the privilege of commanding at every level from a small 40-soldier unit (platoon) to several large complex organizations with more than 100,000 (XVIII Airborne Corps). The truth is military life is not an easy profession.?Nothing is easy in the Army, but each day was incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. I wouldn’t trade my years serving and, given the chance, I would do it all over in a heartbeat.?

• Leadership: Leading is hard, it’s not a popularity contest. Sometimes I made unpopular decisions, but they were the right decisions for the organization. That’s the key! Knowing what’s in the best interest of the organization. It’s also essential to be consistent with your leadership style. It’s easy to lead when everything is going well; the challenge is being in charge when things aren’t. Continuing to motivate the team requires grit and perseverance.
• Preparedness: I deployed countless times over my career. Each deployment had unique challenges but what was consistent were the days of preparation that preceded each. You try to think of every contingency to make sure your team is ready to hit the ground running – to ensure that you will bring everyone home safely. Part of the planning requires creating an environment where each person under your command has the training and support to execute at their absolute best.
• Loss: You never get used to losing one of your own. You shouldn’t.?Each loss hurts deeply. These losses have had a lasting impact and will for the rest of my life. The most difficult times I faced in 37 years of service was each time I had to inform a family that their spouse, child, or sibling had died.?As a General Officer, I had the honor to preside over the funerals of those that lost their lives in combat. There is nothing that can prepare one for this solemn, life-changing event. Presenting that solemn flag to a loved one on behalf of a grateful Nation is forever etched in my mind.
• Post-military Transition: The skills, service, and sacrifice that the military teaches are key to success in transitioning to the private sector. All the skills I learned in the Army continue to inform my professional life today. These skills align with the Mission Operations work that I now lead at SOSi . After retiring from the Army in 2012, I found my next mission- and my continued sense of purpose- here at SOSi.?The challenge of the work we do and the shared values that inform the company’s culture made me realize it was the right move for me and my family as we started a new post-military chapter.
• Veteran Commitment: Veterans who are transitioning need mentors and teammates to help them navigate the journey. One of the commitments I have made to myself after my transition to the private sector is to help others do the same because it can be overwhelming and frightening. I continue to work with severely wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan as they rehabilitate physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Speaking with these heroes over the years, most confide that they sacrificed for their fellow team members and that they would do the same thing again. They inspire and amaze me with their accomplishments.

• Family:?In the end, it’s family that matters most. I loved my time as a soldier, but while I was in the Army it was my wife who made the real sacrifice. This is common. It is the spouse at home who is called upon to spearhead the constant moves, to settle children into new schools and new routines. Children learn resilience as they move, leave friends, and must adapt quickly. I am confident in saying that veterans and their families share similar experiences. Military families rarely get the credit they deserve; there is not a group more formidable, tenacious, or essential.

It has been my greatest honor to serve my country. I am grateful today that I work for a company that truly values veterans. Almost 30% of employees at SOSi are veterans. They bring their dedication to serving and to success at all costs, but they also bring with them the technical skills and expertise that they learned in the military.

This Veterans Day, as I reflect on all that, I am grateful for my time serving. I also acknowledge the sacrifice that comes with it.

To my fellow veterans...

Thank you for protecting our country and our way of life.

Thank you for the sacrifices you and your families have made.