Medal of Honor Monday. Elmer Charles Bigelow was a United States Navy sailor whose heroic actions during World War II remain a testament to selflessness and bravery. On February 14, 1945, while aboard the USS Fletcher near Corregidor in the Philippines, a Japanese shell hit the ship, causing a devastating fire that threatened to detonate the ship’s ammunition magazine. Without concern for his own safety, Bigelow rushed into the flames armed only with a fire extinguisher. He fought the fire with determination, preventing a catastrophe that could have claimed the lives of many sailors. Bigelow’s injuries were severe, and despite his valiant efforts, he succumbed to them the next day. For his incredible courage and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 🔹Lesson for Our Lives Elmer Bigelow’s story serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership often requires immediate, decisive action. He didn’t wait for others to solve the problem—he stepped up, understanding that lives were at risk. In our personal and professional lives, we can all take a page from Bigelow’s book. Whether it’s in the workplace or in our communities, being proactive and stepping into difficult situations can make all the difference. This week, think about how you can embody courage and leadership in your own life. When challenges arise, are you willing to take the necessary steps, even if they come with personal risk? Sometimes, leadership is about choosing to act when others might hesitate. Hashtags: #Leadership #Courage #Heroism #Selflessness #MedalOfHonor #NavyHeroes #WW2Veterans #Inspiration #ProactiveMindset #StepUp
Dr. Jason Edwards, DM, CISSP, CRISC’s Post
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Pause your scrolling and enjoy some extremely valuable insight from a couple of extremely intelligent and successful individuals, whom I greatly respect. Thank you, Christian, for the perspective check I think we could all benefit from! #leadership #management #goals #leadingbyexample #livingbyexample
I build security departments from scratch | Physical and Information Security Consultant | Army Ranger
I think it's fair to say many of us try to lead by example... Well, what if there was a better way? In the words of Lt. Col. John Lock, US Army, Retired, in reference to the passing of the legendary Col. Ralph Puckett, "I would rather say [he] lived by example." "The difference being that ‘leading by example’ can be defined as modeling the actions and behaviors one wants others to see and emulate, while ‘living by example’ reflects one’s beliefs via actions and daily life, meaning always doing what you are supposed to do, when you are supposed to do it, even if no one is there to see.” While the difference is subtle, living by example means it is part of your being and removes the conscious decision to act a certain way with an extrinsic goal. This was a common lesson taught throughout my time in the Ranger Regiment - always do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Making the transition from "emulating" to "living" by example is possible but not without its daily challenges. The impact and lives you can influence by living as an example are crucial to upholding a standard of strong character in both our personal and professional lives.
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Something to think about
On this #ThankfulThursday, we want to spotlight John Valentine, a US Navy Veteran, who generously volunteers his time and expertise to assist our students in refining their resumes. "The opportunity to pay it forward to fellow Veterans is deeply meaningful to me,” shares John. “When Veterans learn how to showcase their potential, their fulfilling employment betters our communities and our world.” Thank you for making a difference, John! Michele McManamon Tracey Bradley Sr. MBA, BSM Breanna DeLong Johnny Farris Char Miller Virginia Sterry B. Julia Livingston Olivia Fisher David Trenholm Bob Buehn Timothy Edwards Blace Albert Abraham Blocker Melissa Circelli, SHRM - SCP Jenay Mckinney Daniel Starratt, MBA Brooke Jones-Chinetti John McManamon Leigh A. Jacobs, CEBS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Scott Hausman Dayton Warfle, MBA,MBB, PMP Mark R. Vlaun #ONU #OperationNewUniform #Jacksonville #Tampa #ONUWorldwide #MilitaryTransition #TransitionAssistanceProgram #VeteranTransition #MilitarySpouse #MilitarySpouseTransition
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Last week I shared a post that focused on perseverance, which led me to reflect a bunch on my time in the Marines. It dawned on me that perhaps the single greatest thing that the military teaches young Americans is perseverance - a quality that is becoming in short supply with the glut of instant gratitude brought on by the internet. Today you can instantly order anything to your door. Swipe right to find a romantic partner (and swipe again the moment the relationship hits a rough patch). You can be fed limitless bite-sized entertainment. Perseverance? Who needs it! I used to tell new hires at Team Rubicon that the three characteristics that would lead to success when working for me were simple: initiative, tenacity, and enthusiasm. Tenacity was really just another way of describing the ability to persevere in the face of hardship. So when I think about the military, I think about its celebration of, and instruction on, perseverance. So whether it's "Embrace the suck" (United States Marine Corps) or "The only easy day was yesterday" (most often attributed to Naval Special Warfare Command - Navy SEAL & SWCC Teams). In the not-too-distant future, perseverance will trump many, if not all other qualities (behind integrity, of course). #military #veteran #perseverance #CSR #socialimpact #corporatesocialresponsibility #leadership #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur
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"The Way of the Warrior Sailor". Check out this 6:58 video on how the current Skipper, CAPT Chris “Chowdah” Hill, of my former ship approaches leading the best damn ship in the world's most powerful navy.
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The recent video of the Naval band has left me awestruck—not just for their musical brilliance but for what it represents: discipline, passion, and an unshakeable sense of duty. Watching them perform reminded me of a core life lesson—Work Hard, Party Hard. When they’re on duty, they give it their all, guarding the seas with unmatched grit and determination. But when it’s time to celebrate, they know how to uplift spirits, not just theirs but of everyone around them. Isn’t that something we can all learn from? As professionals, we often find ourselves chasing deadlines, managing crises, and pushing boundaries. Yet, we must remember to pause, celebrate our wins, and recharge our spirits—just like these incredible Naval officers do. After all, life isn’t just about the grind; it’s about balancing responsibility with joy. On an emotional note, what sets our Navy and other armed forces apart is their moral fiber. They stand tall with values and love for the nation that inspire them to serve selflessly till their last breath. That kind of dedication is humbling. So here’s a thought: Let’s take a cue from them. Let’s be fiercely committed to our work but never forget to celebrate the journey. Because if our heroes at sea can protect our nation while living their best lives, what’s stopping us from doing the same? Let’s salute their spirit! 💙 #WorkHardPartyHard #NavyLifeLessons #Inspiration #SaluteToForces
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Want to change the world? Start by making your bed! 🛏️ Admiral William H. McRaven, a Navy SEAL, highlighted the power of this simple task in his famous speech. When you make your bed each morning, you accomplish the first task of the day. This small win sets the tone for the rest of your day, encouraging you to tackle bigger challenges. Plus, it’s a reminder that little things matter. So, start your day with a made bed and watch how it transforms your mindset and productivity! 💪 #Motivation #NavySEAL #MakeYourBed #SuccessTips
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David’s thoughts about Colonel Puckett are right on the money. I have also memorized him in a Substack article published today that provides some personal details. It is here: https://lnkd.in/eeuBk53m
Today, our nation lost one of its great heroes. There will be hundreds of well earned and heartfelt tributes to Col. (R) Ralph Puckett Jr., this is mine. Col. Puckett passed away today at the age of 97 at his home in Columbus, Ga., after a lifetime of service, both on and off the battlefield. Yes, he was awarded numerous medals for heroism, including a long overdue Medal of Honor, but it was his life off the battlefield that meant just as much to so many. Col. Puckett mentored generations of American soldiers, particularly US Army Rangers. Despite the fact that he was one of the most decorated soldiers alive Col. Puckett spent decades of his life mentoring those who came after him while never asking for anything in return. Whether it was joining Rangers training in the field, traveling overseas on both training and combat operations, or providing one-on-one mentorship to individual Rangers Col. Puckett was never too busy, or too important, to give his time. We first met when I was a new Private graduating into the 75th Ranger Regiment. Our relationship grew for the next 27 years in a deep and meaningful way. I will miss him terribly. The simplest way I can say it is Col. Puckett didn’t just set a standard, he is the standard. RLTW sir. 🇺🇸 **UPDATE** Congress has announced that Col Puckett will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol on April 29th. Link to article in comments. ——————————————————— *Pictured are Corporal Lucas escorting Col. Puckett at 1st Ranger Battalion, ca. 1998. Second is Sep 2022 at the MoH Convention. I was commanding a Special Forces Battalion and he was a MoH recipient.
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When you think you're done and have reached your limit, you're only at 40% of your body's capability - David Goggins, retired Navy Seal. #inspiration #selfdevelopment #ownership #resilience #determination #executionleadership #coaching
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Sean Mahoney joined WIN Waste in March 2024 as a Performance Engineer and is a member of the WIN Military Community. In addition to his role at WIN, Sean serves as a Strategic Sealift Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, using his experience as a licensed Merchant Marine Officer to serve as an Engineering Officer aboard Combat Logistics Fleet ships. He also serves as a Tactical Advisor aboard merchant ships carrying military cargo, advising crews in contested maritime environments. With 7 years of service and 3 deployments, Sean’s military career has shaped his understanding of commitment, sacrifice, and resilience. ⭐Branch: U.S. Navy ⭐Rank: O-3 Lieutenant ⭐Years of service: 7 ⭐Deployments: Operation Karat 2018, Native Fury 2020, Defender Europe 2021, and multiple Joint Logistics Over the Shore exercises ❤️ What Sean wants those without military experience or connections to know: “Serving goes beyond just a career. It’s a life-defining commitment, and that commitment comes along with demands that are mental and emotional. Many veterans carry experiences that are challenging to explain, and adjusting to civilian life is an ongoing process. So, recognizing the sacrifices made by service members and their families is important and a willingness to listen can make a real difference.” 🤍 How the military has affected Sean’s personal life: “You spend a lot of time away from home, missing out on events and holidays. As a sailor, I spent a significant amount of time at sea and that can be extremely isolating. You often don’t have any kind of communication back home and are just no contact for long periods of time, which can be difficult for everybody. You may expect to return on a certain date, but it usually ends up being a lot longer than you planned. You kind of end up putting your life on hold until you get back, which can take a toll over time.” 💙 Sean’s perspective on transitioning back to civilian life: “It’s a big change going from that regimented lifestyle where everything is planned out and executed at a certain time to going to civilian work where there is more freedom and you’re more on your own. That took me awhile to get used to. As far as advice, don’t be afraid to ask questions as you learn how to adjust to that.” Thank you for your service, Sean. #VeteransDay #employeespotlight
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Michael Monsoor, US Navy, served as a communicator and machine-gunner with SEAL Team Three during the Battle of Ramadi. On September 29, 2006, Monsoor, two fellow SEALs and three Iraqi Soldiers took to a rooftop to provide overwatch support for another element. At some point, a grenade was thrown from the street below, striking Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Monsoor, given his position closest to the stairwell, was the only person who would been able to escape without having to step over the grenade. Rather than doing so, Monsoor covered the grenade with his torso. His decision cost him his life and saved the lives of his teammates. Punchline: Character matters most. When our titles, wealth, and accomplishments are stripped away, what remains? This week, take time to prioritize "being" over "doing." All that you "do" and the artifacts of that "doing" are just derivatives, clues, as to who you really are. How you actually exist in the world — for your family, your team, and your life. Author's Note: Operating a business is not war. I think it's important not to conflate the two. I author these posts in hopes that we can harness the contributions of America's veterans to create better, more fulfilling lives. #Veterans #veteranmentalhealth #writing #military
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