Posted on Apr 24, 2015
Capt Brandon Charters
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I've had some really inspiring talks recently with Col Matthew Fritz & Brig Gen John Michel and they brought me to thinking more deeply about the military core values and how we as service members & veterans might teach the younger generation about these important principles. While they pertain heavily to our everyday military lives, most of the civilian world isn't taught these values in any formal teaching or instructional environment.

My question to you is, how do you think teachers, schools and parents across America would receive & support such instruction? Would you volunteer to mentor or teach character and integrity based education to local children in classrooms?

Col Fritz & Brig Gen (Ret) Michel have started a pretty revolutionary program called "Mentors Matter". The goal is to have veterans support mentorship in thousands of K-12 classrooms across the US to develop character, leadership and civic responsibility. If interested, I highly encourage you reach out to them and learn more about the program linked below. I see this as being a great way to get our kids on the right path with values that will help them both personally and professionally. I'd enjoy hearing everyone's thoughts on this or potential ways you would structure a teaching syllabus around this topic. Thanks in advance!
Edited >1 y ago
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Sgt Branden W.
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I already do this in my classroom. Bonus curriculum.
JJDIDTIEBUCKLE
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Capt Brandon Charters
Capt Brandon Charters
>1 y
Well done brother. I was hoping there were a few of you out there.
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Col Matthew Fritz
Col Matthew Fritz
>1 y
I second that "Bravo!" Sgt Branden W.
If your class would like to join the #MentorsMatter initiative as a recipient of character/leadership/integrity education based upon a curriculum developed by Medal of Honor recipients and delivered by veterans who volunteer to be a mentor, please let me know. You can learn more about the program at http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/
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Sgt Branden W.
Sgt Branden W.
>1 y
Col Matthew Fritz I've accepted a position at the VA and will be leaving the teaching profession after 5 years of steadfast service. Next chapter begins June 1. This initiative/program is exactly what modern day schools need and I applaud the steps you've taken this far.
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Col Matthew Fritz
Col Matthew Fritz
>1 y
Best wishes for continued success, Sgt Branden W. -- and thank you for leading the way! Please consider participating as a mentor, then, as a way to stay connected to the classroom and sharing your hard-earned skills and perspectives. Have fun at the VA and keep on leading!
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
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Loyalty, Duty, Responsibility, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage -- I am voting a big YES on all these values being taught to children. The younger the better.
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Col Matthew Fritz
Col Matthew Fritz
>1 y
Thanks, CPT Aaron Kletzing, I figured we could count on you!
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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This is a great forum for me to pretend I know stuff. Decades ago there were housewives, the family and community raised the kids. Now there exist enumerable single parent families. When nobody is watching the child, the child will make up their own rules and values which may not be compatible with society's norms.
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Col Matthew Fritz
Col Matthew Fritz
>1 y
Agree--and most of us who have seen success in our own lives can thank a parent, teacher, leader or mentor for the example they provided---along with the constant encouragement. That's what the #MentorsMatter program is all about--and its sounds like you would be a great mentor to K-12 kids across America. Surf over to http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/ to see how you can be a part of this initiative!
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MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ Ken Landgren
>1 y
Thank you for the kind words, however to put it mildly, I am too erratic for something like that.
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