[June 20, 2017] In the army we were always taught to never walk past a problem. If you do, then you’ve just set a new standard of behavior – a much lower standard. I thought people knew this but it was given a new lease-on life in my mind when I witnessed two soldiers walk into a recruiting station and ignore trashed burger wrappers and soda cups outside their door. My mom’s advice was simple; if you see a need … fix it.
I currently work with teens and young adults. Part of what I do is helping them prepare for entrance into the military. The task is personally rewarding but there is a level of frustration that also comes with it. Usually it’s just a bit of annoyance and involves the fact that I still misjudge how little these young men and women know about simple things in life; like basic courtesy, how to start a fire, cook a hamburger, or open a car hood.
Two months ago, I was talking with a young man about how to interview for an officer position with the U.S. Marine Corps.1 John told me he was 25, had a bachelor’s degree from a local college (including some graduate work), and worked part time as a bartender at night while waiting to be accepted into the military. Despite his interest in the Marines, he had read nothing about its history, didn’t know their requirements to join, or how to be respectful and polite to the recruiter.
He became a personal project for me; I saw a need and promised myself that I would “fix it.” We don’t fix people, of course, but the fact that there were so many things that needed work in John’s life, the question I had to ask myself was where to start. I began with honesty; being the core foundation for anyone who wants to be someone better than they are today.
Honesty is at the apex of traits for a leader and a must-have daily habit. I regularly tell the story of the cadets at West Point Military Academy who place the change from soda machines on top because taking the money would be considered stealing. Their cadet code of honor? A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. Being honest takes practice, focus, and reason. Anything short of honesty doesn’t cut it in the military and in most professions.
John is a much better man today … he handles himself with more confidence and he is the epitome of honesty. His personal skills have improved dramatically, he began volunteering for a local food bank, and he now has a full time job at our local Home Depot. His desire to join the Marines has only increased because, as he tells it, “I can do more to help others in the Marines.”
I never gave up on John. He’s a good young man who is the very type I love to see as part of our military services. He came from a poor household and didn’t do well in school but he has applied himself, learned the value of hard work and honesty, and pushes himself to be a better person.
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