---Dwight David Eisenhower
Ok, it is time to vote…so go do it. I’ve seen a lot of media stories about the presidential race. Who’s ahead. Who made the gaff of the day. Which candidate is qualified to be president and for what reasons. I think we’ve all seen our share of stories.
Voting absentee has been a huge push over here. We have all had the opportunity. Some exercise their right to vote. Others are more complacent to do nothing. I am our Squadron's voting assistance officer which means its my job to make sure all soldiers are aware of and get assistance with voting. My vote was cast in late September. If you have loved ones overseas and they didn't vote it was because they chose not to.
Who should you vote for? I serve in a business where leadership is a way of life. Everyone in the Army is a leader and a follower on some level. Every soldier trains to be in charge or to follow someone who is. Soldiers can’t escape the responsibility and most of us who willingly put on the uniform don’t try to.
Voting for your President is really a rare event. Think about it. When was the last time you had a say in who your boss would be…who would be your teacher…who would head your organization? I’ve never had a vote in who my commander was. Whomever was put in charge of my unit I supported. Its what we do.
There are many characteristics of a good leader. No one thing makes a person good when he is in charge. It’s a combination of many things. He* (or she) must care for those who he is in charge of. He must have vision and manage priorities. He must be willing to lead. He must be willing to follow. Any leader who serves himself is not a leader, he’s just the guy in charge. It’s no fun working for that guy and at the end of the day the organization goes nowhere.
One thing our media has created is a zero tolerance environment where anyone who makes the slightest mistake is blasted. Thank you Mister Olberman (sarcasm). The media leads us to believe that we can find a perfect person to be our leader. No such man or woman exists. Quit looking for them. Just look for the best one.
Over the years I have had the privilege of serving with many fine leaders. Some are better in combat operations, some in training, some in a day to day environment. No one person is the perfect leader in all situations. You have to look for many qualities and see what you value most. That person gets your vote. Then we have to support them and work together. A house divided cannot stand…right? Lincoln was onto something.
Look for the best candidate for you. Cast your vote. And when the results are in our jobs begin again. We must work together and support the country no matter who wins. “He’s not my President, I didn’t vote for him” is an extremely divisive statement. Don’t be a hater. Support your country. If you aren’t happy with it, try to do something positive to change it.
SABER 02
out.
*I use he for most of this entry but ‘she’ is interchangeable. Women and men are equally capable of being good leaders.
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