Tuesday, May 3, 2011
“For me and for a lot of people who I most admire - Navy SEALs, international humanitarian workers, people doing extraordinary work with wounded and disabled veterans - one of the things that makes people really strong is when their leadership is focused on others. When I first went to SEAL training, on my first day there was a Warrant Officer, who sat me down and he said, “Look sir, we’re going to make SEAL team training even harder on you, because you’re an officer and a leader and we need to know that you have what it takes to lead.” … If I was doing my job leading well, then I was focused on others. So, I think there’s a tremendous power that comes when you’re willing to step outside your own pain and your own concern and you’re able to focus on serving others.”

- Eric Greitens

Travels of John, my favorite site for long-form interviews with interesting, inspirational people, published this piece on Eric a while back. Given this weekend’s events with Osama Bin Laden, I have been in high SEAL interest mode. By the way, read this snapshot bio of Eric — it will make cereal come out your nose: “Navy SEAL Officer deployed four times in the Global War on Terror, PhD, Rhodes Scholar, award-winning author, White House Fellow. For his military service, he received a Purple Heart as well as a Bronze Star, among other personal awards. He is also a champion amateur boxer, a sub-3 hour marathoner, and winner of the 2007 Shamrock Marathon, held in Fallujah, Iraq.” Wow.

Update: More SEAL-related stuff of note includes this well-timed book by Wasdin and Templin. It’s due out in three weeks
Posted at 12:05 AM Tags: interview