I’m glad I have the opportunity to send you this letter. I can’t reveal too much about your future disposition as it may change due to your knowing; however, I’d like to share with you some advice and information that you will find useful in the near future. First of all, you will graduate. In fact, you may very well find yourself in a formation starting your career as soon as one week after graduation. This may sound a bit frightening, but not as much as the fact that you will be 1 of 8 Black officers out of a Battalion of more than 320. I’m happy to report that this will not hinder you in the least. Before I go on, I think I’ll go ahead and tell you that you will graduate Ranger school and you’d be wise to prepare yourself for combat, because you will see that too. I suppose it’ll be easier to list my advice to you, here it goes:
Seek out friends who don’t look like you and definitely those who are smarter than you. It will be uncomfortable, but you’ll be a better leader because of this.
Everyday, do one thing that you hate to do; this will help make the uncomfortable comfortable.
Never, ever quit! Your body can withstand much more than you imagine! You’ll see.
When you get your platoon, it may be in combat and you’ll be responsible for many lives; take your profession seriously, deadly serious; a parent’s child life depends on it.
Be confident in yourself. You know more than you think you do; but be humble, you’re only as good as your most recent success.
Be introspective. You will find a hard time leading other people when you can’t lead yourself.
Affirm yourself. You’ll find that you are your own worst critic; if you fall short because you didn’t put out, it’s your fault.
Nobody cares! Don’t feel sorry for yourself because no one cares. Sometimes, you’ll have to get out of your own way.
Learn from your subordinates; learn from children; learn from your mistakes.
Do judge yourself off the yardstick of someone else’s years…don’t worry, you’ll figure that one out.
Be ready to kill in war. This one is tricky because coping with this may be difficult; however, your subordinate’s life depends on it
You are capable of greatness; don’t allow others to tell you what you cannot do—if you are passionate about something, go for it.
Follow instinct…sometimes, deep thinking stifles creativity. Instinctual thinking makes all the difference.
Ask for the world and maybe you’ll get it.
Share ideas selflessly, steal ideas selflessly.
Loyalty and integrity are the bedrock to leadership and trust; don’t compromise either one.
Manage your money, save, and avoid the shiny objects, it’s just a fad.
The Army is a small community, treat everyone with respect; you’ll see some familiar faces again.
Continue to volunteer. You’ll have the time. Don’t let the busyness of the work week prevent you from servicing others.
Tell your Soldiers you Love them. When the time comes, you’ll be apprehensive about it. Go ahead and tell them, they’ll know what you mean.
When the time comes, tell the whole truth about a matter.
ALWAYS Do what you say you will do.
Despite what you may think now, you DON’T want to get shot at.
Take the time to tell those close to you that you Love them, you may not have the chance if you wait.
And I guess there’s one more and probably an important one: the Army doesn’t love you, so don’t marry her. You’ll find happiness with someone else and you’ll spend a more significant time with her than you will with the Army.
So, without giving away too much, you’ll do pretty well, at least for the next 10 years that is. If you follow this advice, who knows?
Have fun!!!!!
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