Manhood in the New Millennium
All of us want greatness. That doesn’t mean that we want recognition, but it does mean that we want happiness, we want contentment, and we want to accomplish meaningful things. But how do we get there? What are the actual steps? They aren’t what you might think. [Read more…] about How to Create the Life You Want
One of the primary characteristics of manhood is responsibility, and it starts with being responsible for our own lives. There’s a sign at the Chow Hall at the Navy SEAL headquarters that reads “If every SEAL were like me, how strong would the team be?” While the hope for every team is to be greater than the sum of its individual members, that sign is a reminder that, in order for the teams to thrive, each member must push himself to excellence. As we’ve seen, much of SEAL training is about survival. But the great ones always push the envelope. They are not content to merely survive, they want to be the best. But there are always some who are content to merely get by, to meet the minimum standards. When we adopt that attitude, when we count on someone else to make the team great, we cheat ourselves and the team. [Read more…] about Lessons from the SEALs: Why Manhood Means Responsibility
In this post from last year, I talked about how it is incumbent upon parents to “create special”, to be aware of when certain spontaneous decisions can create significant joy and memories for our kids. About a year ago, my daughter asked if we could stop and get a 15-minute chair massage while we were at the mall. We’d passed those massage chairs dozens of times before, but had never stopped, as I typically think those things are a waste of money. This time, however, it was just the two of us, so we stopped and got massages. And, boy, I’m glad we did. She held my hand and we oooh-ed and aaaah-ed and laughed the entire time. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget those smiles and laughter; I can still picture it vividly.
This past weekend, our city had gotten a decent little snow and the kids had just gotten in from playing outside in it for a bit. While they were warming up and sipping hot chocolate, we decided to watch the move Lone Survivor. I’d seen it before, but wanted to watch it again since I’d just finished the book. Also, my boys had been begging me to watch it, and I figured they could handle it at this point. When they saw the SEALs packing their gear for the mission, my boys got out all of their Nerf dart guns and ammo to organize it just like the SEALs did. And since Christmas just passed, they have a lot of that stuff. [Read more…] about Creative Parenting: How Spontaneous Decisions Create Special Moments
This is the third installment in Lessons from the SEALs; be sure to read Part One and Part Two as well. Operation Red Wings (sometimes called Red Wing) began on June 27, 2005, when a team of four Navy SEALs was inserted via helicopter onto a mountain in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan for the purpose of observing and perhaps taking out a high-value Taliban leader with ties to Osama bin Laden. While they attempted to conceal themselves on the side of the mountain overlooking the village where the target was located, their location became compromised. Three Afghani goat herders and around 100 goats unknowingly walked right up on them. The goat herders were unarmed, and the SEALs quickly surrounded them. [Read more…] about Lessons from the SEALs – What We Can Learn from Lone Survivor
As we discussed in my last post, most people don’t make it through BUD/S. The ring the bell, place their helmet in the Grinder, and move on, considered DOR’s (Drop On Request). But where do they go? They go to a purgatory-like existence at another part of the training complex at Coronado. So, they’re still technically around, although they don’t get to live in the same barracks as those still in BUD/S. This DOR group is referred to as the X Division, or X-Div.
X-Div members get moved to another part of the islands, where they typically do menial labor until they get their next assignment from the Navy. As you might expect, the atmosphere among them is not great. They’ve just let go of the rope and given up their dream of becoming a SEAL, and few of them walk away from it in a good state of mind. Regret, frustration, bitterness, anger, resentment, fear, and a lack of direction on where to go next are standard responses. [Read more…] about Lessons from the SEALs: Ignoring the Haters
I’m an attorney, a husband for 20 years, and a father of four. And I’m restless. I’m convinced that there’s more in life for men than we’re getting. I’m ready for more, ready to lead my family on a tremendous journey. Join me.
