Peter Stephens’ Post

This is leadership.

Doug Zembiec passed seventeen years ago. May 11th, 2007. Much has been written on his accomplishments, including how he earned the nickname "The Lion of Fallujah." All-American wrestler. Recon Marine. Completed numerous combat deployments. And received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He's best known for the way he conducted himself in battle. Becoming a legend in the Marine Corps for his aggression and for placing the safety of his Marines in front of his own. In my opinion. The most remarkable thing about Doug is what happened in the days after Doug died. When Doug was laid to rest in Arlington, it was a designed as a closed ceremony, not open to the general public. Invitations were extended to Doug's family, his close friends, and any service member who served alongside him. When the day came, more than a thousand Marines showed up. Enlisted Marines who'd served under Doug's command. When asked by a local reporter, what had drawn such a crowd, a fellow officer said "Your men have to follow your orders, but they don't have to go to your funeral." Punch Line: The things we do, the metrics we achieve, they're all merely artifacts of the people we are. The way we show up in the world, for our teams, for our families, for each other - is and will always be what people care most about. This week prioritize being over doing. #Veterans #veteranmentalhealth #marinecorps #writing ------ If you enjoy content like this, consider subscribing to The TRANSITION on Substack. https://lnkd.in/gW2vP5pw

I am very excited for this birthday 🎂 🥳 🇺🇸. 250yrs deserves a full year of celebration. Once a Marine, always a Marine will be displayed this year across all corners of the #USA and everywhere else Devildogs are next year in 2025. So, in the interest of helping my friends and network that don't speak #USMC, here are some things you are likely to hear. I will be sure to add to this list but please feel free to help grow it or comment a Marine language questions 😀 First Four: (1)"Ooh-Rah!" This is the second most versatile word in English, with the first not appropriate for LinkedIn 😎 and can be used as everything from a battle cry to a way to say yes. (2) "Retreat Hell! We've just got here!" This is sometimes used when it's (potentially) time for a Marine to leave a party, but its origins go back to WWI. (3) "The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war." This is used for almost any situation that normal people might consider hard or challenging but in which Leathernecks charge forward and get done. (4) "Semper Gumby" is a fun alliteration play on the Marine Corps motto (Semper Fidelia) and is used to indicate the virtue of being always willing and "always flexible" to reach mission accomplishment. #SemperFi -GSP-

Next year, the Marine Corps will celebrate 2.5 centuries of forging paths with their Warfighter spirit! 🎉 Congratulations and thank you to all who have, are, and will serve in years to come. The team here at XRT has had the honor of supporting the #Marines in their pursuit of digital transformation in training and force modernization efforts through our rapid development and fielding of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle Driver Training System (ACV-DTS). With this solution, operators of the 35-ton vehicle are now able to get earlier, more frequent access to simulated in-vehicle training. Built for portability and minimal resource requirements, the ACV-DTS also accelerates training timelines, increases trainee throughput, and bolsters readiness at the point of need. We look forward to another year of progress, in support of the Marines, and we’ll be here cheering along through next year’s celebrations. Want to learn more about the ACV-DTS? See how it all came together: https://lnkd.in/gEe_6VJc --------------------------- #defense #training #innovation #digitalTransformation #MarineCorps #military

United States Marine Corps USMC Special Operations USMC Scout Sniper Association Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation Recon & Sniper Foundation Rule 9- PAY YOURSELF FIRST: Invest and manage money smartly. Avoid borrowing money. If you do, pay it back as soon as possible. Enjoy your money, but always make sure you have more than you need in the bank. Shit happens and you will need a safety net. Also, if you lend out money, consider it gone. If you do business with a friend, you risk losing your friend, proceed with great caution. If you buy something, buy the very best quality you can afford. Take care of your gear, you may need to sell it one day. More importantly, your life may very well depend on that gear one day, make sure it’s ready. I think that's @trey.dustpan under there somewhere. #recon #sniper #sarc #reconsniper #scoutsniper #specialamphibiousreconnaissancecorpsman #recondo #forcerecon #Kopfjager #fuckaverage #usmc #marines #headhunter #swift #silent #deadly

James C. Collins called this "The Stockdale Paradox," after Admiral James Stockdale. Stockdale was a United States Navy aviator who was shot down during the Vietnam war, on September 9, 1965. He was held as a Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" until his release in 1973. When Collins asked Stockdale about the P.O.W.s who didn't survive, Stockdale replied: "Oh, that's easy, the optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, 'We're going to be out by Christmas.' And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they'd say, 'We're going to be out by Easter.' And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart. This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be." The key takeaway from the Stockdale Paradox is that maintaining faith and hope is crucial, but it must be coupled with a clear-eyed assessment of the current situation and a willingness to confront and adapt to the harsh realities as they are. This balanced approach can help individuals and organizations navigate through adversity with resilience and determination. #leadershipdevelopment #constructionleadership #personalgrowth

Fallen Soldiers March has been approached by Navy Seal Team members to write for FSM's Quarterly Newsletter when inspired, time allows and anonymity is protected. They will use the pseudonym "The Chief". Special Operations is different—and it isn’t. A certain type of man is drawn to the idea of being a soldier in the black ops. This phenomenon—a longing for a tragic amalgam of idealism, vigor, wanderlust, and duty—is as old as time. Across history, tyrants have used and manipulated this inner synthesis for horrifying evil. That yearning to become, to strive, to overcome, even to know true defeat rests in the hearts of young men who were created to serve a king and kingdom. But more often than not, they end up serving themselves and worse: corrupt governments. This pull in my youthful heart led me to test my resolve in the fires of special warfare selection. I thought I was tough, and I wanted to prove it. I wanted adventure; I wanted to do things that mattered; I wanted to be able to rely on the men next to me in life-and-death situations, and I wanted them to be able to rely on me. I didn’t want riches; I didn’t want fame; I didn’t want girls or parties or comfort. I wanted conflict. I wanted to be up to my neck in danger. I wanted to serve my country and rid the world of evil men. I wanted to fight, and, if need be, die for a worthy cause. Men join special warfare communities for a plethora of reasons, but those were mine. I know I wasn’t alone in those desires. Read on below: https://lnkd.in/enPpfdSh #SpecialForces #Veterans #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #BiblicalSoulCare #BiblicalCounseling #JesusChrist

Fallen Soldiers March has been approached by Navy Seal Team members to write for FSM's Quarterly Newsletter when inspired, time allows and anonymity is protected. They will use the pseudonym "The Chief". Special Operations is different—and it isn’t. A certain type of man is drawn to the idea of being a soldier in the black ops. This phenomenon—a longing for a tragic amalgam of idealism, vigor, wanderlust, and duty—is as old as time. Across history, tyrants have used and manipulated this inner synthesis for horrifying evil. That yearning to become, to strive, to overcome, even to know true defeat rests in the hearts of young men who were created to serve a king and kingdom. But more often than not, they end up serving themselves and worse: corrupt governments. This pull in my youthful heart led me to test my resolve in the fires of special warfare selection. I thought I was tough, and I wanted to prove it. I wanted adventure; I wanted to do things that mattered; I wanted to be able to rely on the men next to me in life-and-death situations, and I wanted them to be able to rely on me. I didn’t want riches; I didn’t want fame; I didn’t want girls or parties or comfort. I wanted conflict. I wanted to be up to my neck in danger. I wanted to serve my country and rid the world of evil men. I wanted to fight, and, if need be, die for a worthy cause. Men join special warfare communities for a plethora of reasons, but those were mine. I know I wasn’t alone in those desires. Read on below: https://lnkd.in/enPpfdSh #SpecialForces #Veterans #Army #Navy #AirForce #Marines #BiblicalSoulCare #BiblicalCounseling #JesusChrist

Times in Nebraska Before Becoming a Veteran, are stories from time almost forgotten, not with 4everstory. Did you know we lose over 33,000 Veterans a month, less than 2% of these Veterans Stories are created! 98% of precious Veterans stories are lost forever! Join 4everstory mission in revolutionizing how we remember our veterans. This video of `Our veterans are waiting to be Remembered or Lost` Our 4everstory ambassador Petty Officer First Class David Russell 104 years young, serviced on USS Oklahoma and USS Mahan during WW2, we are given a profound glimpse into history. In just a few brief moments, David shares captivating stories from that pivotal day stories that would have otherwise been lost with the other 98% 4everstory marks the beginning of a new era in honoring them, capturing their stories, moments, and memories like never before. Through our efforts, future generations will have the opportunity to connect with these brave individuals from the past, even if only for a few moments. But at 4everstory, it's more than just preserving stories, our bravest all deserves an everlasting connection to generations forevermore. Veterans just wait to be Remembered, it’s a small ask for those who gave their all and more! #thankyouforyourservice #veteranshistory #militaryveteran #veteranshistoryproject #navyveteran