U.S. ARMY
noncommissioned officer) who really needs someone to talk to. I review evalu- ation reports and tell them what those comments ‘really’ mean; but also, I am available to listen. Sometimes that is all they desire, for someone who will just listen. The idea of being a continual learner and pursuing educational opportunities to help enable your abilities - not only as a future senior leader, but in life - must not be taken lightly. I am constantly advising young of- ficers to expand their horizons, be avid readers, not just concerning those things of military nature; but in other areas such as international relations; econom- ics; and organizational management/ leadership. I have been fortunate to have many people who have inspired me during my career. The list is extensive and for the sake of accidently leaving someone out-I will just say that there have been many and I am extremely blessed that they saw something in me that made them plant seeds in me in expectation that they would grow and blossom. When I look back however, the most influential person in my life who taught me so much as I started this journey in the Army was my father who also served in the Army and retired. A Vietnam Veteran who served in the Special Forces, he passed away in 2003. He didn’t live long enough to see me become a General, but he would always say that I could achieve anything that I set out to do; he believed in me.” Guiding Priorities and Support “Faith, Family, Mentorship, and Fraternity are extremely important in my Life. No question about it, it is my Faith that keeps me going. I know that with and by Faith, ANYTHING is pos- sible. I am so fortunate that my parents taught us the importance of knowing that everything we receive is a gift and blessing from God…Family is essential in my Life. The love I have for my wife Monica; our mothers; our children; grandkids; our siblings and extended Family is true and genuine in every facet
of the word. When we have a family crisis, we do everything we can to assist them and be there for them; that is what Family is all about. My biggest cheerleaders in this journey in the Army have been my Family and for that I am grateful. I just continue to work hard and make them proud. The value of hard work-I learned from my parents. The value of having an education and pursuing college-my parents encouraged me. This idea of being a good person-my parents taught me that at an early age. So the role my parents played in my life is indelible and I am eternally grateful. Again, regarding being a mentor, for me, it is a require- ment. Someone mentored me along the way and I am required to do so as well. Leadership involves multiple aspects; and I do believe mentorship is one of the most important of those aspects. My Fraternity has been vital to my motiva- tion and desire to achieve in everything I do. This not only involves my Army goals, but it also encompasses what I do beyond the walls of this great profession I serve. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. exemplifies service, and I am thankful that I know that Service in our Commu- nities, to our youth, and in the various corners of our Country is necessary. The obligation of making available our time,
talents, and resources are vital com- ponents to this thing we call Service. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. provides a pathway for us all to contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. U.S. Army Values “Our Army Values are the corner- stone regarding how Soldiers at all echelons must approach their roles and contributions serving in uniform. However, I do think that Values are first learned at home, but there are some who come into the Army lacking values. This does not mean that they won’t be good Soldiers and eventually leaders- but they will not if they do not buy into our Values. Those Values are what make this Profession one that works- as a high performing Team, full of cohe- sion and able to deploy and operate in any Country in the World and abide by the Laws of Armed Conflict even when our adversaries may not. We must live by our Army Values in both words and actions-nothing less.” On Kappa Alpha Psi “Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is an organization that focuses on Inclu- sion. When men of Kappa operate in the community-it is for the ‘Whole of Community’, regardless of race, ethnic- ity, or any other defining characteristic.
THE JOURNAL ♦ FALL - WINTER 2022
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
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