Today is Veteran's Day. It is a day for us to thank every man and woman who ever donned the military uniform of this country. It's not for those who died. We have Memorial Day for that. This is a day for us to thank every Veteran who ever served. In peace time or in war, in battle or in an office, those who won decorations for valor, and those who never saw a shot fired in anger or ever deployed. It doesn't matter their branch of service, length of service, rate or rank. Because every single one of them just by the act of wearing the uniform said "I am willing to give my life for my country and her citizens."
We all have our battles to face. In our work lives, our personal lives, our family lives and our athletic lives. Whenever we have something to fight or conquer, we refer to it as war. And I think that's ok. I believe WAR is an acronym for We Are Ready. The problem is we are not all warriors. But, we all have the ability to become warriors. Inside all of us beats the heart of a warrior. I believe we owe it to ourselves and those around us to find that warrior heart. When you find it, you will become a leader, because all true warriors are leaders.
You may ask yourself how am I qualified to talk about warriors and leaders. I believe I am a warrior. I am a Veteran of the United States Navy, and then spent 20 years in law enforcement wearing the uniform of a Sergeant with the Mobile County, Alabama Sheriff's Office. Throughout my life I have learned to become a leader. I believe I have learned how to motivate people, how to inspire them. I have also learned that we all have enemies both literal and figurative, and I have learned how to destroy and crush my enemies, tempered with mercy with necessary. What follows is what I have learned, and what I believe.
war·ri·or
–noun
1. One who is engaged in or experienced in battle.
2. One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause, or conflict
Throughout history, all societies have had a warrior class, and by necessity, all warriors classes have a code. This is the only thing that separates the protectors from the predators. History shows that there are basically ten primary characteristics that all warriors possess and that are a part of the "warrior's code".
- Self-Discipline
- Wisdom
- Courage
- Faith
- Honor
- Virtue
- Mercy
- Compassion
- Purity of Heart
- Freedom of Spirit
Dragons
A warrior's worst enemy is dragons. Dragons are those things that harm us, the suck our strength and energy. Dragons are incredibly powerful and deceptive. They include things like alcohol, drugs, greed, malice, and negative thinking. A warrior must always be on guard against these things.
I can not overemphasize the power of dragons and how important it is to stay strong and fight against them. The consequences of dragons can be debt, depression, divorce and even suicide. Over the course of my career, three of my friends and brothers in law enforcement took their own life because they could no longer battle these dragons. Today, on Veterans Day, take in this sobering fact: data shows that at least 22 veterans a day commit suicide. Every 65 minutes a warrior takes his own life. http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/us/22-veteran-suicides-a-day/ This is a fact that is completely unacceptable. As a warrior, how can we fight these dragons? What must we do to protect ourselves?
Armor
In order to protect ourselves, so we can serve others, we must wear our armor. Just as warriors on the battlefield have bullet proof vests and ballistic shields, we must have our own emotional armor. By this, I mean those things that make us happy and sustain our body, mind and spirit. These can include exercise, humor, education and faith. But love is the most impenetrable armor. Love from others, and our own love of self. As warriors, we often think that we are too strong, or we can handle tings on our own. The statistics tell us otherwise. I heard someone say one time "An idiot knows how strong he is. It takes a genius to know how weak he is." If you need help, reach out for it. There are so many people that are so deep into battling their own dragons, that they can't even see the depths to which they have sunk.
In addition to becoming warriors, we must also become what I call "Warrior Guardians". A true Warrior-Guardian is one who helps others walking the path in their search for life, health, knowledge, wisdom, virtue and love. We must be prepared to identify and assist those "shooting stars". Those bright and promising warriors who are in danger of burning out. We must be there for each other. To help, support, listen, guide and lean on.
It doesn't matter if you are a member of the armed forces, in law enforcement, a fire fighter or EMT. You could be a teacher, coach or parent. You could work in an office, a warehouse, a delivery truck, or a department store. If you believe in a cause, if you are ready to take up the flag and lead the way, then you are a warrior.
Said another way... It never gets easier, you just get better.
Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a former Army Ranger and West Point psychology professor theorizes that there are three types of people in the world, sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. In his theory, most people are sheep. He doesn't mean this in a bad way at all, simply that the majority of the population are kind, good and peace loving, and would never consider doing harm to anyone. Wolves are predators. They feed on the sheep without mercy. They are evil people capable of evil deeds. Then you have the sheepdogs. Sheepdogs protect the flock, yet would never hurt them. They are capable of violence, but use their power for good, not evil. Most people consider the sheepdogs our military, law enforcement and first responders. But that is not necessarily the truth. We all have the capability and duty to be sheepdogs. How so?
First and foremost, a term called "situational awareness". Know your surroundings. Often times, wolves are able to prey on the sheep because no one is paying attention. Smart phones, ipods, tablets, laptops, etc.all mean we can be completely unaware of what is happening around us. We can get buried in music, e-mail, text messages and funny cat videos that we don't even see bad guys. I am NOT advocating getting involved in a violent situation or trying to stop something that is already happening. NEVER do anything outside your training and comfort level. But you can and should be aware. Be in the moment, and know what is happening around you. If nothing else, be a good witness. Usually though, if the wolves see people paying attention and alert, they will move on to find other victims.
As a Veterans Day wrap up, thank a Vet for their service, cultivate in yourself the traits of a warrior and leader, and become a sheepdog. Now, go out and win the hearts and minds of others.
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