Director of Operations | Ambassador for Servant Leadership | Family Man | Team Builder | Performance through Empowering People | MBA - IT
What a great picture to capture the heart of a courageous warrior. I'm struck by John Chapman's subtle smile and peaceful resolve. This picture reminds me that we in the military can often mistake being tough with being hard. Hardness is easy. It's cold, impersonal, invulnerable and results in disconnectedness. We're tempted to justify hardness when the mission or task is difficult, or when we may or may not necessarily agree with the desired outcome. Put on the blinders, separate the heart from the action, do the task, live for another day. Toughness is connection based (both connected to self and/or a team) and requires selflessness and discipline. Tough, courageous warriors have tenacity, grit, determination, professionalism and most importantly: HUMILITY. I've known plenty of tough people with gentle hearts. Toughness leaves room for the heart to stay connected to your hands and mind. TSgt John Chapman's tenacity, grit and professionalism were on display at the top of Takur Ghar, but his humility, heart and selfless desire to serve brought him to the top of that mountain. I'm not sure you can capture the heart of a tough and selfless warrior any better than this photo of him humbly and gently holding an Afghan baby.
Today we remember the life of US AF Tech Sgt. John Chapman who was killed in action on this day in 2002 while racing to the top of Takur Ghar to call in airstrikes throughout the Shah-i-Kot Valley, where hundreds of US Army soldiers from 10th Mountain Division, United States Army and 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army were pinned down and fighting for their lives. With little to no air support available to them, John was the only one with the planes and authority to drop bombs that day. For his heroic action on the battlefield that day, John would earn the Medal of Honor and go down in history as one of the most decorated members of the STS Community. REST EASY IN VALHALLA BROTHER.
Transitioning USAF Officer, MBA, Pilot-ATP, Civil Engineer
5moSpot on.