Sometimes we get assignments we don’t want. In the Marines, it isn’t unusual, and besides the routine tasking, I had a few that were significant. As a young lieutenant assigned to Recruiting Duty in Iowa, I complained loudly that I was a warrior and deserved a better assignment. Fortunately, I had leaders that sat me down and didn’t run me up the flagpole. My Dad wrote me a letter and said, “Warrior can have many connotations and interpretations. In my mind, it means “one who possesses the personal courage, ability, and professionalism to lead in combat should the need arise, to serve in any leadership post as may be ordered and to imbue in his subordinates the spirit of the Brotherhood of Warriors.” It was three of the most challenging years of my life, and it was transformative. Dad was right.
Then a few years later and in Battery Command, the Regimental Commander chose me to build the Artillery Training School when I wanted to take my Battery on deployment. It wasn’t negotiable, so I told the Colonel to tell me what he wanted and get out of my way. In five months, I selected staff, and we created ten courses of instruction and taught eight courses with exceptional results. The Regiment got a necessary professional school, my knowledge of artillery grew exponentially, and enhanced my professional reputation.
Then a few years later and in Battery Command, the Regimental Commander chose me to build the Artillery Training School when I wanted to take my Battery on deployment. It wasn’t negotiable, so I told the Colonel to tell me what he wanted and get out of my way. In five months, I selected staff, and we created ten courses of instruction and taught eight courses with exceptional results. The Regiment got a necessary professional school, my knowledge of artillery grew exponentially, and enhanced my professional reputation.
A few months after assuming command of the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines (3/11 artillery), we were given 90 days to be ready for deployment to Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Our role would be provisional military police with the inglorious and dangerous primary Mission of convoy security escort. We did that and much more for seven and a half months, operating two forward operating bases, a regional detention facility, building four Iraqi security forces, normalizing the An Nukhayb region, fighting every day on the roads, and more. The Lieutenants and Sergeants led our fight, but every Marine and Sailor in 3/11 went above and beyond their duty innovating and adapting to accomplish tasks they never expected or desired.
These are just some examples of what we used to call “blooming where you are planted,” “making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” or “turning lemons into lemonade.” They are examples of how tough challenges strengthen us and build courage and ability the most.
So this week, when the challenging or dreaded task comes your way, put everything you have into doing it well. You might end up with a promotion.
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Remember, “all things are possible through prayer and heavy deadlifts.”™
