What Else? Two Powerful Words to Guide the Rest of Your Life

Last Thursday, December 7, 2017 marked the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and as such, commemorations of that Day of Infamy were held around the country. I was honored to be invited as guest speaker at such an event, held at the American Legion Post 41, a downtown Phoenix post in the Grant Park neighborhood. 

I spoke about the service and sacrifice of Pearl Harbor survivors and our Greatest Generation, and I also drew parallels to today’s next greatest generation of patriots and volunteers responding to another attack on American soil – 9-11 – and in the fight against the ideology of violent extremism. But mostly, I spoke about the inherent qualities of leadership that military members build and internalize during their service - whether they serve four years or forty – and how those qualities can be harnessed and used for the good of their communities.

My message to this American Legion group was simple: Your service doesn’t end when you take off the uniform. We should always ask ourselves “What else? What else can I do to make a difference?” Veterans make great employees, but they can also make a huge impact in individual communities; studies have shown that veterans volunteer more hours, vote more consistently, and are more likely to serve in civic organizations. 

From the first day of boot camp, service members have ingrained in them military core values like duty, loyalty, commitment, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and courage. Today’s all-voluntary military service reinforces those values as guidelines for behavior and performance, and holds individuals accountable when they do not live up to standards.  Those who succeed in this meritocracy ascend to positions of authority; regardless, every individual who wears the uniform is changed by their service, and when they leave, they take leadership qualities with them. 

After Pearl Harbor, the greatest generation that won World War II came home to launch a business revolution that changed the world. Today, our next greatest generation is seizing upon their opportunity to change their communities through volunteerism and non-profit and start-up efforts. 

Every veteran has within them the leadership DNA to make a huge difference within their community, their family and their circle of influence; they just need to ask the question “What else?”