[March 28, 2025] In this article, I’m trying to put into words some new ideas of mine. Here goes … I never understood the power of the physical objects that people hold onto. But now, I can see it in my old, legacy Captain’s Helmet, the identity I have and the memories that it reminds me of.
Like so many folks, I’ve been told that the best way to live is with minimal possessions since possessions bring clutter to our minds. Freedom, we are told, is built upon the idea that the less we have, the freer we become. I think that’s an oversimplification of the real world.
We are naive to think that the objects we hold onto produce barriers to a good life. The reason is that these objects are not just physical but psychological. They are symbols, a piece of our personal history, an entity that represents past experiences and memories, and a part of our identity.
When I look around my home, I don’t just “see” furniture, clothes, or keepsakes; I see my life reflected in those objects, including my Captain’s Helmet and other military-related equipment and paraphernalia that maybe my wife wants to toss into the trash.
That helmet is more than a helmet, one that would sell well on eBay or other such websites. It’s something that says part of my life is over, and that realization is an incredibly difficult thing to do.
My Captain’s Helmet, a possession that I’ve held onto for many decades, reminds me of the struggles of leadership and the knowledge I sought. It also reminds me of my own immaturity and strengths. To illustrate, it tells the stories of the times I trained with my Infantry Company and all that we were able to accomplish.
This helmet doesn’t just hold a place on top of my bookshelf but it holds an emotional position. Being in my possession and not throwing it away or selling it is paramount because the helmet is more than an object. It’s about my identity. Yet to look at this helmet also means, sadly, that part of my life is over; the role of Commander that I played is gone. I needed it to protect me in those times, and now I’m abandoning it.
Memories come flooding back when I see this Captain’s Helmet, like the time we passed an exceptionally difficult operational inspection, the field promotions and medals I awarded to my troops, or the laughter and conversations our Soldiers enjoyed. It also reminded me of the heat, humidity, rain, bugs, snakes, and sleepless nights. It reminds me of the good times, the laughter, winning at team football, and bringing all my Soldiers home from combat.
The Captain’s Helmet represents the life I built, my evolving experiences, my career, and my lifetime itself. In a fast-moving world where the U.S. military is also evolving technologically, the attachment is a reminder that during my career, seeing that helmet helps ground me like an old homestead grounds a century-old farming family.
We are told that having too many things is shallow and that it makes you disorganized or stuck in the past. I believe that an attachment like this is not a flaw but a part of being human. If I were to rid myself of my small collection of military memorabilia, I would lose not so much the physical object but what it stands for and how it helps anchor me.
I cannot imagine myself waking up one day in an over-sterilized house without these symbols of my life. They would be gone. Indeed, the house would be more efficient, cleaner, and newer but it would not be a home for me, no longer warm and inviting and familiar.
The Captain’s Helmet will remain on my bookshelf, perched there among other oddities like an old bayonet, a camouflaged Bible, a U.S. Army pocket knife, and a deck of well-worn playing cards.
NOTE: The thumbnail to this post shows my grandson wearing my Captain’s Helmet.
————
Please read my books:
Enjoyed your article. I have hung on to a seiko watch I wore while in Vietnam, 1969-1970. I wear it occasionally and have spent more money than it originally cost me to keep it running. I have this attachment to it. When I wear it, it reminds me of my time in a war zone. I have recently decided to pass the watch on to my son who served in Iraq with the USMC. I see this as passing down a legacy from one war time veteran to another. The watch has no real value other than the memories of war and proud service to my country.
So many hats and helmets and so retired. Thank you Gen. Satterfield for making my day.
Great story.
🦅 America is Great 🦅
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Loved this article, sir. I’m 73 and trying to declutter my life but was feeling pretty down as I rid myself of old things I’d accumulated. Thank you for helping clarify about our emotions.
Bennington, I think that most of us “older folks” are thinking much the same. There are simply too many who are willing to tell us seniors what is good for us and yet ignore some of the basic nostalgia that we all have. Treat older seniors with more respect and help them with this idea of declutterring but not throwing things away unnecessarily. Be kind. Be respectful. Be understanding.
Sir, very cool.
Sir, well done!!
The Captain’s Helmet. The rank of Captain in the US Army is supposed to be one of the most valuable and enjoyable growth periods for any officer. But to do so, they must command a company of soldiers. This makes us better leaders and better people. You learn, even the hard way, what to do and what not to do as a good leader. This website by Gen. Satterfield is one of the better learning tools. You can gain a whole lot of great info by reading the articles. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for this article on the “Captain’s Helmet.”
🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁
Yes, a good article. I think Gen. Satterfield is trying to get his head wrapped around the idea that the “things” we own and hold onto have more value than the object itself in money.
A handsome fellow there, Gen. Satterfield. 😁
Gen. Satterfield, just a note to say I appreciate you trying out new ideas. This one is a doozy. How can we apply this idea(s)? I think as we move through life, we do accumulate items and many of these have an emotional attachment. Yes, these attachments can be strong. That is being human. Much like our attachment that we call “love” of our pets. I’ve known people who are depressed for a long time after their pet dies. Now that is different from an object but the idea is similar. Like we had a family house burn down that had been in the family for generations. The loss is real and not just of monetary value. Keep developing this idea.
Hmmmm, got me to thinking.
“Like so many folks, I’ve been told that the best way to live is with minimal possessions since possessions bring clutter to our minds. Freedom, we are told, is built upon the idea that the less we have, the freer we become. I think that’s an oversimplification of the real world.” — Brig. Gen. Doug Satterfield, as he discusses the way we view the real world. As I get older and want to declutter my life, I also realize that my “stuff” does have value to me and I don’t care if others like it or not.
I think you and Gen. Satterfield are going in the right direction. Of course, like before, I’d like to see this idea further developed. Oh, Gen. Satterfield, you have a cute grandson. 👀👀👀👀👀
Yes, well written too.
Well, let’s just say, good job. These ideas are not that different from a psychological or philosophical perspective. 🧐
Jamison, correct, that is true.
😁😁😁😁😁
Hi Mr. Savage. Great website from Gen. Satterfield. I’ve decided this site is my go-to place for great content. 🎯 on target.