20250630 - Invest to Win

 Obviously, I've let life get in the way of giving away some Free Chicken or thoughtfully processing life.

My bad! Please don't hate me for it... but if you do, I'll probably never know about it or care, otherwise! hahaha.

Almost a month has passed since graduating from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officers Course. Many former students came through Fort Leavenworth and the Lewis & Clark building over the year, sarcastically saying it would be/was "the best year of your life." Well, it was something, no doubt. I'm not quite certain I would rank it as the best year of my life; however, I did learn a great deal about the Army, our strategic priorities, our partners and allies, and myself. Overall, sure, I walked away with a win.

So, what's next? To be honest with you (as if that needs to be said), I'm heading to a position in which I will act as an Observer Coach and Trainer to other Unit Ministry Team members. I've the opportunity to apply what I learned at CGSC to my previous experience as a chaplain over the last 14 years, helping to shape the current religious support landscape across the Reserve and National Guard components of our Army organization. It's exciting, although I'm not entirely sure of my actual abilities at this point, having never done this particular position. It's all about growth, right?

One thing I want to highlight is the impact that others have left on me. As I move further away from graduation day, I'm humbled by the amount of influence others have had on my life and career thus far. I am the summation of all of their influence. A significant number of individuals have left their footprints in my heart and mind. They have shaped how I think. How I operate. How I endeavor to persevere. Without their time, prioritization, and influence, I would not be where I am today ... and I still have a long way to go!

One of those individuals, CH (COL) Tim Cross, is pictured with me in the photo above. He didn't have to make time for me, but he did. He didn't have to share years of wisdom and TTPs, but he did. He didn't have to pray for me, but he did. That says a lot about the kind of man he is. He was our Ethics instructor during the Chaplain Captains Career Course in 2018. He currently serves as the Senior Command Chaplain on Fort Bliss. Again, he didn't have to do anything for me, but he did. His belief in making people and the organization better comes from a heart that loves the Lord and a desire to see people succeed. He invests, and that, in my honest opinion, is what sets him apart from so many.

Through his investment, I was reminded of all the other men and women who have invested in me over my lifetime. That's what I'll leave you with ... invest! It's what God did with us. He loved us so much that He invested His Son so that we might experience eternal connection with Him. It's what great humans do. They invest in others so that the world is a better place. It's what great leaders do. They invest in their subordinates, peers, organizations, and leaders, so that everyone comes out on the other side as winners.