The Army is a results-oriented organization:

How many pushups can you do in two minutes?

Fix that truck. We need it for mission.

Secure that supply route.

Do whatever it takes to take that hill.

Rebuild that police station.

Rebuild the Afghanistan National Army.

I can only assume that many civilian organizations are results-oriented as well.

I think sometimes folks get caught up in the results and forget what is important: the people that get you these results.

An incredibly smart man once told me, “Kevin, the Army will chew you up and spit you out.  It will forget about you the day you leave.  You’re replaceable and your accomplishments will be outdone by someone else eventually and thus forgotten.”

I was befuddled by the words spoken by a man from whom I deeply respected and thought was a career professional officer.

I asked, “What do you mean, Sir?”

He smiled and … Read More »