Lessons from a week-long experience, featuring the Secretary of Defense, some generals and admirals, and scores of young men and women in uniform

In March, I was selected to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC), the oldest and most prestigious U.S. Department of Defense public liaison program. As one of 36 JCOC participants, I spent seven days, from June 10-16, 2018, at military installations throughout the southeast, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. service members.  In addition to participating in tactical training exercises, our group was provided top-level briefings that gave us a deeper understanding of the roles and

mission of the U.S. Armed Forces, with emphasis on skills, capabilities, and the equipment employed in defense of our nation.

The experience was life-changing.

OUR JOURNEY

My journey began with a deep respect for all who’ve served – including my father and several uncles – but also an unease about war, particularly as a first option.

JCOC kicked off at the Pentagon with an executive breakfast featuring top commanders and senior leaders, followed by a question-and-answer session with Secretary of Defense James Mattis. We then traveled to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston, SC; Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Parris Island, SC;  the 23d Air Wing, Moody AFB, GA; U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC; and Norfolk Naval Station/Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Norfolk, VA.  

I shared my journey with top-notch, civilian leaders from both the public and private sectors – a veritable “Who’s Who” of those heading some of our nation’s largest, best-known, or impactful organizations. We not only shared a path, we also helped each other broaden our perspectives.

As a tiny sampling of some things I saw and did, at Fort Bragg we spent the day with U.S. Army Special Operations and took part in a simulated hostage situation.  At the conclusion of the day we were “rescued” from a rooftop by the Army Rangers who “took down” a small town – with bombs, bullets, dogs, helicopters, and sharpshooters – and ushered us to safety on Chinook helicopters. From there, we were taken to a dormant airfield, where we ventured into the woods, dined on road-kill prepared by the Army’s top survival specialists, and then celebrated the Army’s 243rd birthday with the Green Berets singing the Army song and eating cake cut by swords. And that was just one of seven days.

I began the week having never fired a gun – and before it ended, I’d been on a target range with an M-16, M-4, SR-26, M2010, M110, and a Glock handgun. Each of these weapons feature tremendous power, which they, in turn, convey to all who use them.  My overall experience, both with the weapons and those who regularly use them – served to reinforce my long-held belief that with power comes responsibility and a duty to practice restraint. I was pleased to learn this perspective is shared by those servicemen and women I met during my participation in the JCOC program.

IN AWE OF OUR MILITARY

Beyond the bombs and bullets, ships and jets, there were the people – the men and women of the armed forces, many of whom are younger than 20 – who are the essence of the U.S. military. Beyond bravery and service were core values common to all – loyalty, duty, respect, integrity, and honor.  Beyond the uniforms and crisp salutes was a resolute professionalism, academic rigor, leadership development, and relentless drive towards improvement.  I was in awe of the military might I saw displayed, and humbled by the sacrifice of others.  As much as I learned about our Armed Forces, I learned even more about our society and humanity.

KEY TAKEWAYS

There’s a great deal that 99 percent of us can learn from the less than one percent of all Americans currently serving in the military (of note, 70 percent of eligible Americans cannot serve, due to poor health/fitness, addiction, a criminal record, or related issues).* Here are several key items:

1. Develop, articulate, and live your core values. Stand for something bigger than yourself.
2. Commit yourself to life-long learning, re-tooling, and re-training. Constantly and rigorously assess and evaluate.
3. Life is filled with important assignments – each is much like a mission. Have a clear objective and communicate it widely, up and down the literal or figurative chain of command.
4. No person or organization is an island unto itself. Appreciate and understand your responsibilities, and be ready to learn from others.
5. Have a Plan B and a Plan C at the ready … and be prepared to use them if a situation evolves.
6. Respect yourself and others; fill your personal foxhole with those you trust.
7. Take care of your body, mind, and soul.*
8. Stress is natural and inevitable – learn to work with it.
9. Discipline is far more than just a loud voice. It’s about commitment to training, teamwork, and others.
10. Everyone can be a leader, no matter what their rank or title.
11. Always give yourself and others a second chance.
12. Put the needs of those under your command or direction ahead of your own.

SUMMARY

We rarely saw service personnel wearing their military finest — most were typically clad in camouflage-style uniforms. This style is certainly more functional and comfortable, and the ultimate aim is to blend into the environment.  Yet the more we saw of the men and women representing the various branches of our military, even in their camo garb, the less they blended in and the more they stood out for the heroes they are.

While we may not all agree about certain policies or missions, my hope is that we stand together in respecting those who stand ready to defend our country.

Check out the story featured on ROI-NJ.COM

# # #

Day 1 – Pentagon/U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston, SC VIDEO SUMMARY, PHOTOS

Day 2 – Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Parris Island, SC, VIDEO SUMMARY,  PHOTO SUMMARY

Day 3 – 23d Air Wing, Moody AFB, GA, VIDEO SUMMARY, PHOTO SUMMARY

Day 4 – U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC , VIDEO SUMMARY, PHOTO SUMMARY

Day 5 – Norfolk Naval Station/Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Norfolk, VA, VIDEO SUMMARY, PHOTO SUMMARY