Colonel Candid

A Letter to my Former Good Bosses, Recently, I ran into one of you and shared in some stories over drinks I expressed thanks but there’s never enough gratitude to express all that you’ve done for me in just a quick conversation. So for all of you out there who’ve helped me along with this journey please share in my gratefulness of support.  Thank you for providing me with just enough of a challenge to ensure that I learned from your pointed criticism on areas to improve in my written and briefing products. Thank you for accepting me back with grace and calmness when I failed Jumpmaster school and even still, pushing me to take that assignment as the only female in an infantry brigade. Thank you for having my back when I heard the slurs of cunt and bitch thrown around. I was there when you shut them up and I’ll never forget how great that felt to have your support. Thank you for expressing how I beat you in a 10 km race and the humility you took t...

Despite what Joan Jett says, you should give a damned about your bad reputation. What people associate when your name is said is important. One of my first mentors, who really left an impression on me, told me your reputation matter above all else. As I work to mentor you, this is one of the first topics I need to share and emphasize its truth. Harken back to the old spaghetti westerns, I feel like I should paint a picture of an old grizzled, pencil thin cowboy saying, “your name is the most important thing you’ve got partner.” Seeing how I’m from the homestead of John Wayne, it’s fitting. But really, why does this matter? It matters because as you grow from an intern, to new recruit, to employee, to supervisor, what you’ve demonstrated before will boost you up or weigh you down. How you establish this reputation is demonstrated by your deeds and not your words. Think about people you hold in high regard, what have they done to earn this? Their actions spoke louder than their wo...