What OCS Taught Me

August 1968, Vietnam: My ROTC Infantry company commander had just been promoted to major. He was now a battalion S2, and as senior first lieutenant, I have moved from his 4th platoon leader to company commander and then HQ CO after recovering from a sucking chest wound. This day his assignment was to get me to extend for another three years. He envied me - so young and an officer; that I could be a captain the day I would be a civilian. He mentioned that the best he thought he could be in civilian life was to manage a gas station. That surprised me, since that was exactly what I thought about myself before OCS. My three years in the military remain my most focused, incredibly intense, years. OCS taught me leadership and teamwork. OCS taught me to lead winners.

Vietnam taught me about death. I will earn each and every day because I should have died back there and many of my brothers did. "No major, I will not extend. It is an honorable thing that you do." My reason for joining was honorable, but my OCS and this Vietnam experience has fixated my original focus to accomplish my college goal, and life success in my own advertising business.

Thank you to my OCS brothers (and now sisters). Thank you for taking the time to serve your country. OCS graduates are our most important examples of American leadership. We volunteer from the ranks. OCS officers are a wonderful cross-sampling of America's Americans who shoulder incredible duty and responsibility.

Even as a civilian, fulfill your mission, read your history, know Jefferson, your constitution. You are America's best, be proud, stand up, speak out. Continue to volunteer.