Helping a Retired U.S. Marine General

[May 14, 2023]  As we walked out of a U.S. Marine Major General’s office, a good friend told me, “There are too many army Generals in this world.”  This General was a real SOB, but he got the job done, which was a valuable skill.  Generals?  Eventually, they retire.  One recently asked for a helping hand, as he was widowed and his health was declining.  He is in his early 90s.

Regular readers of my blog will remember that I wrote about a British Naval Admiral advertising for “a young person to help out around the house, engage in basic health care duties, and provide companionship.”  I recommend reading it and understanding their similarities (link here).  What are those similarities, and why am I writing this article today?

This Naval Admiral and today’s USMC General have something in common in the person they are asking to help them in their advanced age.  They are looking for someone who would also make an excellent junior officer in any military service.  Leadership!  Take a close look at the requirements.  These requirements tell a story we all can take to heart.

Listed here are the main traits this USMC General wanted in his helper:

1. Be able to understand how I think. You don’t have to think my way, but I was hoping you could help me sometimes verbalize my thoughts.  Doing so keeps me mentally sharp.  Additionally, you may eventually come around to my way of thinking, and how I think has helped me advance in rank within the U.S. Marine Corps.  And that is something many folks aspire to achieve.
2. Be mentally strong and resilient. If you have a thick skin, can take a butt-kicking and stand back up, are willing to take criticism without being triggered, and can learn quickly even when you believe what you are learning is mistaken, then you just might be someone who has the minimal requirement to help me.
3. Be morally upright. If you tell the truth, the brutal truth, and do not color, slant, or shade the truth, then good for you.  I sometimes go off the mark and need someone who is not cynical by the authority differential in our relationship to speak up firmly and loudly (I’m a bit hard of hearing).  Being grounded in a good moral upbringing, often found in religious folks and military veterans, is valuable and necessary.
4. Possess Courage. Too many young folks people these days are cowards.  Yep, I said it.  They are outright cowards.  Some wear their cowardice on their sleeves, some hide it by screeching and screaming, others try to trick us with outward signs of bravery (like carrying a gun or knife), and still, others have false courage that can be hard to detect.  You must have real courage, moral and physical courage.  One day, you may have to stand up and protect me from an idiot I pissed off.
5. Be an American Patriot. There is not much to say about this, but I expect you to be patriotic, period.  There is no compromise with this requirement.  Either you fully support America or are not good enough for this job.

There are additional “job requirements” I did not address.  They are standards like being physically strong and healthy, being a U.S. citizen, possessing a valid driver’s license, etc.  Perhaps one day soon, you will see this in a local newspaper and might want to apply.  But if you do apply, don’t expect any special favors; you might get your butt kicked.

Seeing this older gentleman who knows what solid traits he wants from someone to help him is very satisfying.  He is not satisfied with a person who comes with official credentials, works for an elder-care agency, one who neighbors recommend, or has an advert on social media.  He wants someone who can be a leader in good and bad times!

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Please read my books:

1. “55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon (link here).
2. “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).