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| US Marine Corps Boot Camp Graduation 1992 |
Over the years throughout my network marketing career people have asked me for the secret to success or how they can propel their lives, businesses or finances forward. I have found that many people are looking outside of themselves for some magic pixie dust. Experience over the years continues to re-enforce that this magical pixie dust is nonexistent yet it resides within each of us. Many of you know that I served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1992 until 1998.
I was drawn to the Marine Corps like a moth is drawn to a flame. It was a calling I wanted to answer and it was one of the best life choices I have made. In June 1991, just 10 days after graduating from high school, I walked into the recruiting office nearest to my home and enlisted through the delayed entry program, meaning I was to report to Boot Camp within the year. I selected my military career path or my MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and off to college I went for 2 quarters. Little did I know then, that what laid ahead of me would be more valuable than what my day-to-day job would be. Looking back, what I learned over the 6 years of service have assisted me in all areas of my life, including creating my life by design.
Not to sound too nostalgic, but I have to admit that those were some of the best days of my life. I am not referring to the pay, the meals, the long hours or placing my life into harm’s way but rather the life lessons I was fortunate enough to learn, experience and master at a young age. I remember seeing a poster a few years ago that read “Everything I Need to Know About Life I Learned in Kindergarten”. That may be true for some people, however as for me, I believe “Everything I Required to Being Successful in Business & Life, I Learned in the United States Marine Corps.” Furthermore, I believe that everything I required to be successful in life and business can be boiled down to the 14 Leadership Traits instilled into me in April 1992 during my Boot Camp recruit training at MCRD Parris Island and I am still benefiting today from the lessons I learned while in the Corps. The 14 Leadership Traits provide a crystal clear road map of everything any budding or experienced leader requires to move forward in life and business in a powerful manner. The 14 Traits are timeless and everyone serious about business can use them as a barometer to gauge where they are and more importantly, where they desire to go.
