What will you declare and hold yourself accountable to this year?

At the end of SOI (School of Infantry), I was going home.

Unlike the rest of my classmates, who reported immediately to their infantry units, I first needed to travel home in order to report in. I was in civilian attire, ripped jeans and an Irish green t-shirt from American Eagle that said “I’m A Keeper” across the chest and that’s when it happened.

The commanding officer called me over and asked what I was wearing!

I told him it was my standard civilian attire as I wasn’t required to be in uniform on the flight home.

Surprisingly, instead of ripping me a new one, he put his arm around my shoulder and said, “marine… from this day, until the end of your days, you represent the Marine Corps and all Marines who came before and all who come after.

If you dress sloppily and give a bad first impression, all Marines will have a bad first impression. If you dress presentable and give a great first impression, all Marines will have a great first impression.

It’s up to you whether you want to change or not, but you no longer represent yourself out there, you represent the Corps.”

I changed. And every day since then I’ve held myself to a higher standard.

Tomorrow, I’ll share some of the standards I’ve set for 2024, and leave you with this thought…

Who do you take pride in representing and what standards will you set for yourself in 2024?

To your success,

Nate

​P.S. If you’d like to share your reflections with me, feel free to email me at reflections@mindvaultllc.com as I’ll be happy to hear your thoughts. This email goes directly to me and is reserved only for those who read these Reflections.