Posted on Feb 7, 2018
VetSpective: Veterans, Your Next Mission — Disrupt, Rebuild, And Renew Our Country
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Who are we? What is our purpose? What is our next mission?
These are some of the questions that veterans often ask themselves when they return home from their military service — questions that can manifest in uncertainty, disconnection, and even feeling adrift. Searching for a new purpose. Searching for the next mission.
It’s how I felt.
And it is precisely these type of questions — this similar sense of uncertainty and adriftness — that is driving the turmoil in our country today.
Our country is searching for who we are; our purpose in the world; and our next mission in the 21st century. Veterans are uniquely positioned to collectively disrupt and help answer these questions for our country.
Why?
Because we intimately understand what our country is going through, stemming from our own struggle with these questions. And we know that these questions — if left to fester — can lead to self-destructive behavior as we are already seeing unfold across our nation.
This leads us to the first, simple — yet powerful — insight that veterans possess:
To survive is to be reborn.
We, as veterans, have put it all on the line — surviving the once exhilarating and twice confusing context of our service and even combat — gratefully to return home. And we now know that it is possible to make it through — make it through anything. And that very insight makes all the difference because it is a place from which rebuilding can begin.
Our nation does not posses that same insight. We do not know how our nation will survive.
Our country is fighting a pitched battle against one-another, fighting for our narrow interests — because of one overriding and self-destructive reason. The fear and loathing of not knowing how or whether we are going to survive.
The disruption that veterans can bring to our country is the collective insight that WE CAN AND WILL SURVIVE. And through that insight, we can begin to build a new, more constructive, and purposeful direction for our country.
But we, as a nation, must not only survive. We must thrive.
This brings us to the second, unique attribute that veterans can bring to disrupt our country today:
We are doers.
Notwithstanding the “veteran-celebrities” among us — snapping selfies and rubbing elbows with actual celebrities — this is not us. And we cannot let this come to define us as veterans.
We are doers, builders, entrepreneurs, problem-solvers — and, above all, we are humble.
The fundamental problem within our culture today is that our society rewards those who are dedicated to being — not doing. And “being” will never fix our nation’s problems. Our participatory democratic Republic requires dedication, constant maintenance, and fidelity to our ideals and values. In other words, doing. No selfie, no Twitter following, no Facebook campaign will, in-of-itself, achieve what is needed in our country today.
Doing is disruptive.
What will save and renew our country is the creation of new, value-based, problem-solving oriented organizations at the small, and local levels — in our towns, in our cities, in our communities — and then knitting them together into a nationwide movement that is focused towards who we are, as Americans, in the 21st century.
And here, through RallyPoint, is where we will begin that conversation — a conversation that could inspire a movement.
RallyPoint is beginning a series called “VetSpective.” “VetSpective” is dedicated to highlighting disruptive ideas by veterans, discussing the issues of the day from a veteran perspective, and establishing a forum to help our country find its way in the 21st century.
In the coming weeks and months, “VetSpective” will publish articles that are intended to start a conversation about the future of our country, and what we, as veterans, can do — and are already doing — to help.
My fellow veterans, we need you! Let us accept and embrace our next mission: Disrupt, rebuild, and renew our country in the 21st century.
Those veterans who bring the lessons, spirit, and deep insights gained through their service back from overseas and into civilian life will not only renew our country, but will make our nation reborn.
Join the conversation right here. Share your thoughts below. Connect with like-minded individuals on RallyPoint. And you will be able to tell future generations that you were part of it all.
Let’s build this together.
Alex Gallo is a Veteran and author of the RallyPoint series “VetSpective.”
These are some of the questions that veterans often ask themselves when they return home from their military service — questions that can manifest in uncertainty, disconnection, and even feeling adrift. Searching for a new purpose. Searching for the next mission.
It’s how I felt.
And it is precisely these type of questions — this similar sense of uncertainty and adriftness — that is driving the turmoil in our country today.
Our country is searching for who we are; our purpose in the world; and our next mission in the 21st century. Veterans are uniquely positioned to collectively disrupt and help answer these questions for our country.
Why?
Because we intimately understand what our country is going through, stemming from our own struggle with these questions. And we know that these questions — if left to fester — can lead to self-destructive behavior as we are already seeing unfold across our nation.
This leads us to the first, simple — yet powerful — insight that veterans possess:
To survive is to be reborn.
We, as veterans, have put it all on the line — surviving the once exhilarating and twice confusing context of our service and even combat — gratefully to return home. And we now know that it is possible to make it through — make it through anything. And that very insight makes all the difference because it is a place from which rebuilding can begin.
Our nation does not posses that same insight. We do not know how our nation will survive.
Our country is fighting a pitched battle against one-another, fighting for our narrow interests — because of one overriding and self-destructive reason. The fear and loathing of not knowing how or whether we are going to survive.
The disruption that veterans can bring to our country is the collective insight that WE CAN AND WILL SURVIVE. And through that insight, we can begin to build a new, more constructive, and purposeful direction for our country.
But we, as a nation, must not only survive. We must thrive.
This brings us to the second, unique attribute that veterans can bring to disrupt our country today:
We are doers.
Notwithstanding the “veteran-celebrities” among us — snapping selfies and rubbing elbows with actual celebrities — this is not us. And we cannot let this come to define us as veterans.
We are doers, builders, entrepreneurs, problem-solvers — and, above all, we are humble.
The fundamental problem within our culture today is that our society rewards those who are dedicated to being — not doing. And “being” will never fix our nation’s problems. Our participatory democratic Republic requires dedication, constant maintenance, and fidelity to our ideals and values. In other words, doing. No selfie, no Twitter following, no Facebook campaign will, in-of-itself, achieve what is needed in our country today.
Doing is disruptive.
What will save and renew our country is the creation of new, value-based, problem-solving oriented organizations at the small, and local levels — in our towns, in our cities, in our communities — and then knitting them together into a nationwide movement that is focused towards who we are, as Americans, in the 21st century.
And here, through RallyPoint, is where we will begin that conversation — a conversation that could inspire a movement.
RallyPoint is beginning a series called “VetSpective.” “VetSpective” is dedicated to highlighting disruptive ideas by veterans, discussing the issues of the day from a veteran perspective, and establishing a forum to help our country find its way in the 21st century.
In the coming weeks and months, “VetSpective” will publish articles that are intended to start a conversation about the future of our country, and what we, as veterans, can do — and are already doing — to help.
My fellow veterans, we need you! Let us accept and embrace our next mission: Disrupt, rebuild, and renew our country in the 21st century.
Those veterans who bring the lessons, spirit, and deep insights gained through their service back from overseas and into civilian life will not only renew our country, but will make our nation reborn.
Join the conversation right here. Share your thoughts below. Connect with like-minded individuals on RallyPoint. And you will be able to tell future generations that you were part of it all.
Let’s build this together.
Alex Gallo is a Veteran and author of the RallyPoint series “VetSpective.”
Command Post
CPT
Mentorship
11A: Infantry Officer
VetSpective
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 18
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I think more of us with the inclination need to run for office beginning at the local level. Military experience with its emphasis on leadership and ethics makes us well qualified to help find a way forward.
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I go along with renew and rebuild. I do not go along with disrupt which has a negative connotation. I have seen too many individuals and organizations that try to bring attention to themselves by disruption, i.e. blocking traffic, protesting anything at the drop of a hat, refusing to listen to views counter to their own, and generally being a pain in the ass, instead of doing something constructive in the community. Switch "Disrupt" with "Build Trust," and the message will come across better.
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CPT Alex Gallo
Totally agree — Disruption can and should be *constructive*. That’s the goal here. Let’s work together to figure it out. Keep the comments, thoughts, and insights coming. Share this with other folks as well.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
CPT Alex Gallo - I believe that we should Rebuild and Renew our Country; first of all. This country has the potential to be: STRONG, UNIFIED, NOT PREJUDICED, LOVING, TRUSTING OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS and, AT PEACE WITHIN OUR BOARDERS.
I greatly dislike weapons; and, I just wish that the right people could own them. I know that I am Dreaming here; though. We all have the potential, as citizens: TO GET ALONG- BLACKS, YELLOWS, WHITES....ALL THE GREAT RACES OF THIS COUNTRY.
Thank you kindly, Captain Gallo, for asking me to share my views on this.
-Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired
I greatly dislike weapons; and, I just wish that the right people could own them. I know that I am Dreaming here; though. We all have the potential, as citizens: TO GET ALONG- BLACKS, YELLOWS, WHITES....ALL THE GREAT RACES OF THIS COUNTRY.
Thank you kindly, Captain Gallo, for asking me to share my views on this.
-Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired
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CW3 David Covey
Your dislike for weapons should not interfere with others rights to own one. I agree the mentally unstable should not have them, but have you noticed the definition of unstable is constantly changing and being added to? Have you also noticed that after any shooting, except the ones where a gun owner actually prevented a crime demands from those who "greatly dislike weapons" start in on the 2nd Amendment and want to eliminate it or ban those scary black guns? Just who in your opinion are the "Right People"?
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Interesting. I have been working the past couple of days on an essay about compromise addressing the fact that we are a "house divided" and whether or not the division can be bridged by compromise or if we have to fight another civil war. The uncivil war now flaming across the nation isn't getting us anywhere, is it?
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SGT Tony Clifford
I tend to think that the "house divided" is a bit on the hyperbolic side. The lunatic fringes of both conservatives and progressives have been controlling the public discourse. Most people be they conservative or progressive and even classical liberals are sick of the fiery rhetoric the Democrats and Republicans are throwing around. Everything in these people's eyes are an attack on the oppressed or an afront to the U.S.. This is poison to our republic. I think that we as a people should cast aside monikers like political parties and focus on individual issues. We should focus on an individualism and ignore the collectivist trappings of political parties. We should also have a national discussion on the merits of honest argument and the importance of multiple perspectives on issues. That's how we fix the mess.
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MSgt Zachary Wiederstein
SGT Tony Clifford - Tony, I agree. How can I start a conversation with anyone if all they want to do is scream at me? My point is we can't even have any conversations because we as a society have become to binary. In other words you are either with me or against me. If you are with me then you must agree with me on every point, if you don't then you are against me and if we disagree on one thing then we must disagree on everything. Which also means I have to hate you as well. This is not a good environment for conversation. If we can't talk to each other we can'e even begin to solve the real problems.
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CPO Nate S.
"Uncivil War" indeed!!!
Oh, "Lunatic Fringes" is on point.
Plus "collectively" we are "Americans" if we have to courage to embrace three little words "We the people". There is not a modifier after the word "the" nor before the word "people" there is only the "collective" - WE - that starts the sentence of our "collective" purpose to first and foremost "Establish Justice". Because with our true "blind justice" the high and low are not judge with any level of equity or equality no matter the rhetoric being spewed.
So, how is justice done? It should be simple, but is often complicated because was people that take the "my way or the highway approach" they are often too willing to under mine what the "We" together are when the:
- capacity to NOT insure domestic tranquility,
- capacity to NOT provide for the common defense,
- capacity to NOT promote the general welfare, and
- capacity to NOT work to secure the blessing of liberty,
are ignored thus creating the PERFECT disunion and provides the cornerstone upon which the erect an edifice on the quick sand of emotions.
How many times must it be said that the Founders were "imperfect" yet, despite their imperfections they know that a "more perfect union" would be a work in progress. They understood, despite what some rhetoric attempted to provide that there were evils that would not be tolerated and eventually would need to be dismantled - slavery for one.
Finally, then people "scream at me during a conversation" I find them, regardless of their achieved education status - TOO STUPID and TOO IGNORANT to engage with! It means they are using raw emotion to try to get their points across verse logic and common sense and solutions that are balanced, yet forward thinking.
Also, "challenge" is a good word, but if we cannot challenge unjust practices or rhetoric how are "We the people..." to know that "We the people..." have a voice regardless?
Inclosing, one cannot make an omelet without cracking a few eggs.
Ask yourself "What is broken" "What is really broken?" then how, once identified, would we take each broken item and develop a systems-based approach that is transparent that the 60-70 of the people in the middle will want to engage?
Each thing that is broken can be categorized under each of the points of the Preamble. Perhaps an inventory to organize would be in order. Would any like to start the list:
"We the people..."
- Issue ......
- Issue ......
- etc.
"...form a more perfect union..."
- Issue.....
- Issue.....
- etc.
"...establish justice..."
- Issue....
- Issue...
- etc.
"...insure domestic tranquility..."
- Issue...
- Issue...
- etc.
"...provide for the common defense..."
- Issue.....
- Issue.....
- etc.
"...promote the general welfare..."
- Issue....
- Issue...
- etc.
"...secure the blessings of liberty..."
- Issue...
- Issue...
- etc.
Think about it, if laws are not being designed and adhered to in this framework are "We" capable as a people to really govern ourselves in a manner with dignity and integrity of purpose? Issues in today's "uncivil war" provided by the "lunatic fringes" are NOT consistent with the PREAMBLE's mission/vision for this nation.
As [[615130: msgt-zachary-wiederstein] stated:
"...If we can't talk to each other we can'e even begin to solve the real problems...."
We have to frame each issue where it belongs in each these enumerated missions and visions of this nation. A nation my father came to after WWII, who chose to serve in the US Air Force for the lessons he learned while become a citizen on his way to becoming a 100% SCD veteran.
[792682: cpt-alex-gallo] From an ole navy guy thank you for the post!
Oh, "Lunatic Fringes" is on point.
Plus "collectively" we are "Americans" if we have to courage to embrace three little words "We the people". There is not a modifier after the word "the" nor before the word "people" there is only the "collective" - WE - that starts the sentence of our "collective" purpose to first and foremost "Establish Justice". Because with our true "blind justice" the high and low are not judge with any level of equity or equality no matter the rhetoric being spewed.
So, how is justice done? It should be simple, but is often complicated because was people that take the "my way or the highway approach" they are often too willing to under mine what the "We" together are when the:
- capacity to NOT insure domestic tranquility,
- capacity to NOT provide for the common defense,
- capacity to NOT promote the general welfare, and
- capacity to NOT work to secure the blessing of liberty,
are ignored thus creating the PERFECT disunion and provides the cornerstone upon which the erect an edifice on the quick sand of emotions.
How many times must it be said that the Founders were "imperfect" yet, despite their imperfections they know that a "more perfect union" would be a work in progress. They understood, despite what some rhetoric attempted to provide that there were evils that would not be tolerated and eventually would need to be dismantled - slavery for one.
Finally, then people "scream at me during a conversation" I find them, regardless of their achieved education status - TOO STUPID and TOO IGNORANT to engage with! It means they are using raw emotion to try to get their points across verse logic and common sense and solutions that are balanced, yet forward thinking.
Also, "challenge" is a good word, but if we cannot challenge unjust practices or rhetoric how are "We the people..." to know that "We the people..." have a voice regardless?
Inclosing, one cannot make an omelet without cracking a few eggs.
Ask yourself "What is broken" "What is really broken?" then how, once identified, would we take each broken item and develop a systems-based approach that is transparent that the 60-70 of the people in the middle will want to engage?
Each thing that is broken can be categorized under each of the points of the Preamble. Perhaps an inventory to organize would be in order. Would any like to start the list:
"We the people..."
- Issue ......
- Issue ......
- etc.
"...form a more perfect union..."
- Issue.....
- Issue.....
- etc.
"...establish justice..."
- Issue....
- Issue...
- etc.
"...insure domestic tranquility..."
- Issue...
- Issue...
- etc.
"...provide for the common defense..."
- Issue.....
- Issue.....
- etc.
"...promote the general welfare..."
- Issue....
- Issue...
- etc.
"...secure the blessings of liberty..."
- Issue...
- Issue...
- etc.
Think about it, if laws are not being designed and adhered to in this framework are "We" capable as a people to really govern ourselves in a manner with dignity and integrity of purpose? Issues in today's "uncivil war" provided by the "lunatic fringes" are NOT consistent with the PREAMBLE's mission/vision for this nation.
As [[615130: msgt-zachary-wiederstein] stated:
"...If we can't talk to each other we can'e even begin to solve the real problems...."
We have to frame each issue where it belongs in each these enumerated missions and visions of this nation. A nation my father came to after WWII, who chose to serve in the US Air Force for the lessons he learned while become a citizen on his way to becoming a 100% SCD veteran.
[792682: cpt-alex-gallo] From an ole navy guy thank you for the post!
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