12/04/2017
This weekend at drill was the usual "catch up on admin tasks." For those of you that aren't familiar with the military, This means annual mandatory briefings such as su***de awareness, sexual harrassment, and equal opportunity. 9 out of 10 Soldiers dread these briefings because we must complete them so many times a year and it happens to be the same power point slides every time. It's mandatory we brief them as leaders in attempt to continue to make a difference for those around us, and for future Soldiers as well. They do have significant meaning, although at times we may disagree and forget the bigger picture...
One way or another today as XO I was afforded the opportunity to brief these courses and of course I made my Engineers talk and participate. At the end, I asked my handy dandy cadet to find me a manilla folder and I wrote "what motivates you?" On the front of it. After all of the heart felt and personal stories shared today, with the courses that do effect more than the direct people around us, I asked my Soldiers to take 5 minutes out of the their time to anonymously write what keeps them going. What motivates them to put on this uniform every month and be a civilian AND a Soldier. My daughter is finally in bed and I just finished sitting on the couch reading all if these scraps of paper shoved into this folder. As a leader, I am at a loss for words. I am humbled by each and every one of you. Each one of you has taught me something and I hope that you realize how important you are to your military family. Remember, we are always here for you, even if it's just a listening ear. Be proud of all you have accomplished and how far you have come. Without you, we cannot move the earth.