My Veterans Day Perspective.

2022-11-09T15:56:59-05:00

As I reflect on my first year of retirement after 31 years of naval service, I am filled with a sense of pride and relief knowing that the future of our naval forces is in good hands. For my last eight years on active duty, I was fortunate enough to participate in the professional development of future leaders, first in flight training and later in officer accessions. While I’m proud of these operational accomplishments, the ability to directly impact the newest Navy and Marine Corps leaders and help shape the future of military leadership brought me the most joy.

I personally would not have achieved my success without the trailblazers that came before me and the support of family, friends, colleagues, and mentors along the way. Our future leaders will also come to know that this is truly a team sport, and they will need to rely on multiple resources for that same support. Men and women from all walks of life and representing all that is good in our nation's young people have voluntarily answered the call of duty to be part of something greater than themselves.

However, this burden of responsibility of ensuring our profession of arms remains the most formidable in the world continues to be borne by a smaller segment of our population, as the propensity to serve continues to decline. In his book, Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965, Morris J. MacGregor, Jr. contends “…the Navy … made significant changes in their racial policies, primarily to make more efficient and effective use of available manpower. ‘In a period of reduced manpower allocations and increased demand for technically trained men, [the Navy] came to realize that racial distinctions were imposing unacceptable administrative burdens and reducing fighting efficiency.’” It wasn’t until 1944 that 12 line officers and one warrant officer, known as the Golden Thirteen, became the first black officers in the Navy. 46 years later, I was the beneficiary of those trailblazers. The struggle to recruit and retain diversity, especially among the officer ranks, continues.

Admiral Mike Mullen, in the Chief of Naval Operations’ 2007 guidance, emphasized diversity as a strategic imperative, stating, “As the world becomes more globalized and our Nation more diverse, our ability to access, retain and employ the different talents and experiences resident in our country’s population will increasingly impact mission success at home and abroad.” Much like the incentive to integrate the armed services to increase fighting efficiency following WWII, today’s services must keep pace to attract and retain more diversity.

I’m excited about my ability to serve as a mentor and veteran example to continue to advocate for greater diversity in our armed forces. In my opinion, the leadership challenge for increased diversity in our officer ranks is fourfold: understand and acknowledge the importance of diversity for the future of the Navy; recognize and utilize the unique talents of the people; foster an environment of opportunity; and encourage people to lead and empower them to reach their full potential.

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2022 4:45 PM

2022-11-09T16:45:41-05:00

Congratulations on your retirement & thanks for your info.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 9 at 2022 5:30 PM

2022-11-09T17:30:01-05:00

Thank you for your thoughts. The military is often at the forefront of national cultural change which allowed Blacks, Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, and Native Americans to fight with distinction and die with honor on behalf of this country and each other.

Veterans have accomplished much and changed world history thus here is my take on Veterans' Day which will be narrow in scope so I can tell a more detailed story. George Washington to many Americans is known as the guy who helped us win the Revolutionary War, but he was a hell of a lot more than that. He is considered by many military historians to be one of the finest revolutionaries in world history because he had a hand in everything for much of the war.

In 1776 the Continental Army shrunk to approximately 4,000 in strength because the war was going poorly for us. The soldiers and militiamen found it convenient to return to their homesteads to tend to their farms and families instead of continuing to fight. Earlier that year we almost lost the war. Our small army was surrounded on two sides by the British Armies and a large body of water on the East Coast. Washington ordered many fires to be built that night to trick the British. Then in single file they egressed out of the area in the dark night full of stars. By morning the operation was incomplete, and the daylight would reveal the escape to the British. However, a supernatural event occurred. A thick fog of no more than 6 feet of visibility rolled in. It completely masked the American's movement and the small army escaped to fight another day.

For the whole year of 1776 George Washington eluded the much larger British Armies across the colonies. By December of the year the Continental Army would reach its lowest level. Enlistments were expiring, soldiers snuck off, or they just walked away. One wintery day George Washington talked to the army. They were ill fed, paid, and clothed. Often, they left blood on the snow due to a lack of proper footwear. He asked the soldiers to stay. Some shook their heads and walked away from the war. However, the ones who stayed wanted to fight. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those Americans who wanted to continue fighting. He was one hell of a leader considering the circumstances.

On Christmas day he crossed a wide and somewhat frozen Delaware River to attack the Hessians at Trenton. They marched all night, crossed the river, and marched all morning in blizzard conditions. The air was bitterly cold, and the snow was deep. Once again they left blood on the snow, and some of the soldiers succumbed to the cold and weariness and died on the march. The Americans crossed the river with many cannons and horses as well. The Hessians were caught completely off guard and George Washington and our Continental Army secured a victory. That was the seminal moment. Americans started to believe we would win, and they enlisted. The Continental Army grew larger with each victory. By the time France had decided to commit to our cause, I believe our Continental Army had grown to 16,000 strong. That is a far cry of 4,000 when we almost lost the war.

What is my story now? I retired for good at 45 because the army told me I was f@cking crazy, and I agreed with them; but I am compelled to do more than nothing. One of the greatest passions in my life is healing people with PTSD 160 degrees because I know how it feels.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Nov 9 at 2022 6:10 PM

2022-11-09T18:10:18-05:00

Congratulations are in order for your sacrifice, devotion and faithful service of a grateful nation!

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 11 at 2022 6:17 AM

2022-11-11T06:17:13-05:00

Thanks for your service

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 11 at 2022 7:43 PM

2022-11-11T19:43:00-05:00

Thank you for your service! Beat Navy! ;-)

Response by SSG John Jensen made Nov 12 at 2022 11:23 AM

2022-11-12T11:23:15-05:00

This little doll was brought home from France after WWI by Great Uncle Forrest - I recently found out his Military Unit, he was in a Motor Maintenance Reg't - He was a Truck Mechanic! in WWI! - Trucks had only been invented 10 years before! We're talking serious High Tech here! those computer jerks don't know what they're talking about! And Great Uncle Bion MacBryde was Navy in WWI, he was a radio operator, do you know how NEW Wireless Radios were? for his training the Navy sent an enlisted man to HARVARD! That's Serious High Tech! And Mom's Great Uncle Fred Keller was Army Aviation in WWI, I think you know how New Airplanes were then! And Fred Keller was the Son a a Union Cavalryman! and immigrant from the German Duchy of Sax Coburg.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Nov 15 at 2022 2:02 PM

2022-11-15T14:02:51-05:00

Congratulations on Your retirement "Skipper" Thank You for sharing this post.