Unspoken Words #3: "Whom Should We Serve?" by Jeremy Dunlap

Below is a piece I wrote for Veteran's Day 2011.  For various reasons, I never released the piece.  In light of the ongoing talk of Military Budget cuts, I have chosen to release this "Unspoken Words."

Unspoken Words #3: "Whom Should We Serve?"

I have recently written a few short pieces concerning our Navy SEALs and the events of September 11. I wrote both pieces, not as articles, but from the standpoint of brief formal speeches. While they are speeches I have never given, I consider them Unspoken Words from my heart. This is installment number three of Unspoken Words.

This past Veteran's Day I could not help but notice the conflicting messages of the pending defense budget cuts and accolades of praise for the American Soldier. On that solemn day, there were many speeches given, flags presented, songs sung, and parades marched all to honor those who have honored us with their service. We reflected back on those lost to battle, those still missing in action and those of our own who survived the hardships of a POW camp. We clapped our hands for those who have wore the uniform in defense of freedom and we longed to find one, still in uniform, to shake their hand in thanks. Like many of you, I thought of my own family, a brother in law who flew Air Force in both Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and another brother in law still serving with honor in the United States Army.

Yet looming over this day set aside to honor those of honor, was a dark cloud , born of Washington, that tells the American soldier and the general public a different message from that of Veteran's Day. The looming cloud of reviewing pensions in the name of efficiency, downsizing of staffing, education monies removed and numerous other pending defense budget cuts communicate a message way louder than any accolade of Veteran's Day. In such times of economic woes, why should the American Soldier, active or retired, pay the price for Washington's inabilities? They should not. I would purport that it is past time for our actions to match our words and to honorably serve those who have served us In preparing these words, I came across a quotation from one of our founding fathers, John Adams:

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?

Is that not the heart cry of a Warrior? Must that not be our heart cry for the American Warrior?

During this past Veteran's Day while I was pondering the potential Department of Defense cuts I wondered aloud that if we as a nation will not serve those who have served us, then whom should we serve? Just recently, I proposed to one of our distinguished Veterans that often the Enemy of the State is not the greatest obstacle facing the American Warrior; it is the politician of the State. The week preceding Veteran's Day, Secretary Panetta once again warned of the harm of deep defense cuts. He called upon the politicians to demonstrate leadership for those who have been willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the Country. Will those in Washington heed the words of the Secretary or serve themselves with political convenience? My hope is that the politician will ignore the latter. I would purport that the federal budget holds many, many areas that need scrutiny. One small example is the purchasing procedures of the federal government.

Why would Washington begin making cuts to education benefits, staffing, and other areas that directly affect the Warrior's quality of life while purchasing procedures are left untouched? I would purport that when governmental spending and contract policies drive up the prices of basic office supplies, then we have found a primary avenue of investigation for budget savings. Yet that would require politics to be set aside, the examination of deals and contracts negotiated, and relationships severed so that a box of writing pens, a package of paper, or any other basic supply does not cost our service personnel many times what it would cost you and me at a local office supply store. Again, Adam's words beg us to answer, whom should we serve?

Instead of examining purchasing regulations and contracts, education monies for service personnel, according to several recent conversations I have held, are already being slashed. All too often, we hear the story of a Warrior coming home to no job, no education, and no hope. Just this week, there was another news story of veteran unemployment higher than the standard level. Fellow Americans, this is immoral. Monies for education cannot, must not undergo cuts for those in the military attempting to further their civilian place in life. Every Warrior must have every opportunity afforded to leave their time of service ready for civilian life. If not with additional education monies then there must be greater cooperation between our institutions of higher education and all branches of the military. Just a few weeks back I had the privilege of visiting with my good friend Dr. John Jackson, President of William-Jessup University. There at William-Jessup, through their Yellow Ribbon Program, former military personnel who served a minimum of thirty-six months can bring their GI Bill to William-Jessup and receive a degree at no cost above whatever amount is in their GI Bill. These sorts of programs offer options for civilian life and must be communicated to the Warrior. Again, are we laying ourselves out in service for those who could have potentially laid their lives down for us?

Helping equip the Soldier, with proper education, is just one area of many that demands the attention of Washington in improving the lives of our service personnel. What about the continued stories of service personnel families using state subsidized programs to make financial ends meet? Moreover, many of us were shocked that this current Presidential Administration would even think of asking the Warrior to pay their own health insurance. Now the talk in Washington is about potential cuts to the pensions of those who have served and retired. Admittedly, there are many false statements circulating about Congressional pensions. While those pensions are not as generous as the rumors may sound, what message would it send to those who wore the Uniform if elected officials took steps that affected their own pension received when they leave elected office? However, their pensions go untouched and entitlement budgets go with little challenge while the Warrior is being asked to pay a price for out of control government spending. Now, more than ever, is a time to be improving the quality of life for our Soldiers not potentially hindering it. Have they not already paid a price in full with their honor, their sweat, in some cases with their blood, and bottom line with their service? The simple answer to that question: yes!

Speaking of service, once again I recently found myself working with the Marine Corp. In speaking with this group of Warriors who serve their fellow Marines in an important function, I proposed a simple question about the concept of customer service. I proposed to these Warriors, in their opinion, "between the two words 'customer and service', which word was more important?" Without hesitation they all responded, "Service." Moreover, without fail, whenever I pose that same question in any audience, those who have worn the uniform answer the same way - service.

Is that not that answer we would expect from those who have stood or potentially could stand in harms way for the sake of freedom? Now it is our time. Now it is our turn. For if we are not willing to lay out ourselves in service to these men and women, whom should we, whom will we serve? In addition, if the Washington politician is not willing to lay out himself or herself in service to the Uniformed, whom shall they serve? I pray that the answer not be found in the quagmire of politics, handshakes, deals cut, and self-preservation. I pray that we answer Adam's question concerning our Warriors with the words of Sir Winston Churchill that, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat." For is that not what they have given to us?

May we as private citizens stand shoulder to shoulder with and for those who have stood shoulder to shoulder for us. May we answer the question that Adams posed with a willingness to lay out our lives for the men and women of warfare both conventional and unconventional. And together as a nation may our hands be raised in a salute, not by mere words, but by the toils, tears, sweat, and actions of a People who understand that with freedom comes a great responsibility to those who have bore the cross of freedom.

For Charles, US Air Force; Christopher US Army; my Crescent City Marines, and my friends of IW. I long for the moment to fight for you.
(c)2011 Jeremy Dunlap, JerSpeaks

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,314828,00.html (pension reference)

Courage is Haunting

She is haunting me. Courage is haunting me.

Since last June, after working with a client who I would consider the expert thought leaders on the virtue, thoughts of courage have haunted me. It seems as though I cannot let go of this idea. What is courage? Why are we courageous one moment, potentially a coward the next? What makes some people more courageous than others? Can we adopt a training plan to become more courageous? What is courage?
 I know examples of courage; we all do. Those First Responders, who run headlong into a building burning, pull someone from a fiery car crash or risk their life for their fellow Man demonstrates courage. Special Forces, conventional military forces that stand in the line of fire show us pictures of courage. We know historical examples ranging from Joshua of the Bible to General George Washington of the Continental Army to Marva Collins. History abounds with examples of courage, the consequences and benefits of her pursuit. We have all seen people who had the quiet courage to face their own personal lives, the demons that dictate destructive patterns. We know the examples of this virtue.

And yet, how can I grasp this virtue that Winston Churchill believed to be foundational to all other virtues? Winston was right and I know it. Do I have courage; I mean raw courage to act unflinching without thought of consequence?
I believe that I have begun to narrow down what courage is not. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is not the absence of hypocrisy. Courage is not the absence of pain.

Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the moment when an individual refuses to allow the death grip of fear to dictate their actions. Whether it is in the line of fire or in a counseling group, courage pushes us across the chasm of flight to fight. That chasm can be a wide expanse and that push across the expanse may take a millisecond or a lifetime. None-the-less, courage pushes us past the consequences that fear whispers into our hearts to the unknown rewards of being the victor. Nameless Special Forces, George Washington at Valley Forge, the men of the First Continental Congress, and Jesus in His final moments in the garden are good studies on fear and courage.

Courage is not the absence of hypocrisy. I have met individuals who in the eye of the public have stood in the gap demonstrating great courage, only to falter to cowardice in addressing issues in their own personal lives. Full disclosure, I have been that person. Continuing our full disclosure, you have too. Why? One would think that crossing that chasm between flight and fight privately would be the same publicly. Yet, it is not. Winston Churchill is a study of this second "what courage is not." Samson, Moses, Saul, and David of the Bible all demonstrate this hypocrisy in the foundational virtue.

Courage is not the absence of pain. Hollywood often paints the moments of courage as so grandiose. However, you and I do not have a soundtrack playing in the background. We simply have - life. With real life courage, comes real life pain. (In fact, I would argue that thoughts of pain keep us from crossing that previously mentioned chasm.) We may have courage in the moment and still lose the battle. We may see others, who acted out of complete cowardice, win the day. In other words, having courage does not always mean that in ninety minutes, you will win the hour or overcome something personally or publicly. William Wallace, many of America's forefathers, and your own life are good studies on results of courage linked with potential pain.

So I continue my pursuit of knowledge on the topic of courage. I have a lot more to think and write on this topic, this virtue that I believe many Americans are longing to witness. Do you have thoughts on this topic? Send them to jer@jeremydunlap.com

More to come!

Jeremy Dunlap: Part Two of Series Addressing Online Defamation.

Part two of our series from Steven Wyer of Reputation Advocate. On September 13th, Violated Online becomes available nationwide! To review and purchase the book, click http://www.jeremydunlap.com/  or go straight to the book site, http://www.violatedonline.com/

The Alphabet Soup of Your Online Reputation, Part 2: Tactics of Online Reputation Management
19 October 2010 by stevenwyer

As we discussed previously, if your company is in need of web promotion you will potentially contact a Search Engine Optimization company.  But if you have been the target of online slander, you will need to engage a Search Engine Reputation Management or Online Reputation Management company such as Reputation Advocate.  If that is the unfortunate situation that you find yourself in, you may be wondering how a Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) or Online Reputation Management (ORM) company works.

Understand that when it comes to dealing with online slander, I can only speak from my own personal experience.  At Reputation Advocate, we typically take an aggressive approach regarding online slander.  In fact we are so aggressive in handling online slander for our clients that I would like to begin with a brief discussion on tactics.
The term tactic is derived from the military and warfare. (Are you beginning to see how aggressive our mindset is?)  The real time definition of tactic is a plan, procedure, or expedient for promoting a desired end or result. That means that the team at Reputation Advocate develops tactics, plans and procedures to suppress online slander.  However, it is important to understand that Reputation Advocate is not the only one using tactics in online slander.  Consider for a moment those individuals who write the slander.

In our years of experience in dealing with online slander and online reputation management, Reputation Advocate has seen countless anonymous posted comments that veer far from telling the truth about our clients.  Reputation Advocate has seen negative material from individuals pretending to be a customer of a business, but who are actually a former partner in the business, a competitor or even a jaded ex-lover.  In other words, those participating in online slander are often using their words as a tactic to move consumers away from the business or corporation.  In essence, they are lying to hurt someone who they feel has hurt them.  They are, in a manner lacking integrity, using a tactic.
So if those involved in online slander are using tactics, what form of tactics does the team at Reputation Advocate employ?  Our tactics are the strategically oriented plans that influence search results in such a way that the sites bearing online slander are ranked lower than other postings.  The end effect of these tactics is that Reputation Advocate suppresses the online slander.

Depending on an individual client’s situation, Reputation Advocate targets one or more specific search keywords.  Utilizing various online tools that include brand new sites, profiles, press releases, social media, forums, additional websites and blogs Reputation Advocate manages content while connecting all the material together in ways that have high authority with search engine algorithms.  This is just the warm up.

As I have already written, Reputation Advocate goes above and beyond in our procedures for suppressing online slander.  At a baseline for a project Reputation Advocate will, for just one keyword, develop a minimum of 3 websites, a minimum of 20 original and unique articles, a minimum of 50 social and profile sites, at least one widely syndicated press release and at least 5 blogs.  All of that, dealing with online slander, for just ONE keyword.  Then, for the same project, Reputation Advocate may target another keyword and begin the process all over again.  Remember, that is just the baseline.
Once Reputa
tion Advocate has finished an online reputation repair project, it is absolutely crucial to remain vigilant.  Search engines are constantly changing how they index criteria, forcing search content to move around.  There’s not time or space in this blog to fully explain the complexity of the work we do to suppress online slander.

Internet reputation repair requires a company with the right experience in handling this critical, growing online issue. Successful online reputation management calls for a company like Reputation Advocate.

For more information about how Reputation Advocate can help you manage your online reputation, visit us online at http://reputationadvocate.com/ or call 888-229-0746.

Jeremy Dunlap: The Privileged Burden of Freedom, A Commissioned 9/11 Address

About The Privileged Burden of Freedom

Commissioned for 9/11 Remembrance

I was greatly honored to receive an email from Phil Taylor of The American Fallen Soldiers Project asking if I would be interested in writing an address (speech) in lieu of the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Without hesitation I said yes. Phil shared the below writing on September 9th at a portrait presentation to the family of a fallen soldier.  This is not a blog or a writing, it is a short speech, an address.  Therefore, it is written in certain ways grammatically with reason.

9/11 Memorial

The Privileged Burden of Freedom

In the midst of the darkest of times, while evil attempted to wave its finger of intolerance, Martin Treptow made a pledge. Leaving his small town barbershop, Martin chose to fight in the war to end all wars, World War I. While carrying a message between battalions, Martin paid the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of freedom. When he was recovered, on his person was found a journal and in this journal, Martin penned under the heading of "My Pledge" these words:

America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will

save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully

and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle

depended on me alone.

And here we find ourselves, a nation remembering another day in our history that will
"live in infamy." A day in which evil revealed its face of destruction only to be pushed
back by the common quiet strength of America, our love of freedom. For the attempt of
darkness to encompass the day is always thwarted and defeated by a single flicker of
candle light. And so it is when tyranny attempts to overrun freedom. While many in
the media make much of the darkness of the moment, much more must be made of the
failure of terrorism in that hour. While 9/11 demonstrated the depravity of our enemy,
9/12 demonstrated the one commonality of the American soul -freedom. While 9/11
displayed a temporary darkness on the American landscape, the sun rose on the morning
of September 12 as if it were quoting Longfellow:

. . . Sail on, O Ship of State!

Sail on, O Union, strong and great!

Humanity with all its fears,

With all the hopes of future years,

Is hanging breathless on thy fate!

For truly the fate of humanity, and hope for many hopeless around the world, depends
upon this beacon of hope and freedom that you and I call home, America. Yes Martin
-America must win this war.

Moreover, with the 9/11 memorials come a somber warning from history: when a
people become pacifist in the face of evil, in the eye of tyranny, surely evil can prevail.
For the destruction reigned upon Germany and the regions of Europe during the dark
days of World War II demonstrates what can happen when freedom is relinquished. And
to this day, German pastor Martin Niemoller brings this lesson of history to the present
with his haunting words:

They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up

because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because

I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak

up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up

because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to

speak up -for me.

Niemoller reminds us that freedom is not guaranteed, unless the good of a civilization
stands against the intolerant forces of wrong. For freedom must be desired, must be
cherished, and must be the life-breathe of a people. And you and I bear this privileged
burden of liberty. And from 9/11, that is what we cannot forget.

So what is our privileged burden of freedom? The willingness to sacrifice. To follow
those who have blazed this trail of freedom before us, who lost their fortunes, which gave of themselves to the point of breaking and then gave that much more. And yes possibly following their path, the willingness of our forbearers, in giving of our own lives. Our privileged burden of freedom is found in the simple willingness to bear the pledge given to us by Martin Treptow so many decades ago: to work, to save, to sacrifice, to fight cheerfully to do our utmost as if the issue of the whole struggle, depends upon me and me alone. For America, in the face of tyranny, must always win the war.

We do not take lightly the potential sacrifice that comes with freedom. But may we be
reminded of the words of President Kennedy, and proclaim to the nations of the world
whether they wish us "well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any
hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of
liberty."

May we join together, honoring those from the first fight waged against this current
darkness on flight 93 to those who have passed in the line of battle since; and say in one
unison voice against the powers of evil: We are Americans, and we have yet to begin
the fight. And may we, quoting Churchill, who too faced great tyranny, proclaim to
those enslaved and to those who enslave, "We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down."

Our prayer shall be this privileged burden of freedom. When the time comes and we
have forged another hill in the crusade against darkness, we will remember the statue of
those Marines lifting high our Flag. With that same willingness, we will place our hands
on a pole dawning Old Glory and we too shall push and lift that Flag high. And on that
mountaintop, as we raise that Flag high we will be proclaiming to all: that freedom has
triumphed, that yet again darkness has lost, and that the light of freedom, Her glorious
light, shall never perish from this earth. Yes Martin, we too shall win this war. Amen.

(C) 2011 by Jeremy Dunlap (Jer). The Privileged Burden of Freedom commissioned by
The American Fallen Soldier Project.

Jeremy Dunlap (Jer) is national speaker, writer, and trainer. Working with clients across the country, Jeremy Dunlap (Jer) holds no higher honor than his work with the United States Military and Special Forces Community, both which he dearlyloves. www.JeremyDunlap.com

Jeremy Dunlap: Steven Wyer Article on Online Defamation

It has been my extreme pleasure to work with author Steven Wyer as a contributing writer to Violated Online. Below is copy and pasted post from Steven's blog. For more info on the book, check out http://www.violatedonline.com/.
(September 13th, Violated Online is available nationwide.)

Things You Can Do for Free To Help Your Online Reputation

 on July, 08, 2011

For many people, the thought of trying to manage what is posted on the Internet is overwhelming. I want to give some very practical advice to those people. Don’t overreact. When something embarrassing is discovered online, obsessing about it does nothing. Don’t continue to click on the negative posting, it will only make it worse.

First, take a comprehensive look at all of the content that can be found about you online. As you begin, there will be many sites that are unfamiliar to you. Most of these sites can be described as information aggregation sites. They offer information about you that is pulled together from various public sources and then presented as an online “profile.” Many times, that information will be incorrect. Some do sites allow you to “claim” the account and correct the information. But remember, creating a login and password will require your accepting the site’s Terms and Conditions. Once you do, you have opted into their site platform. Understand that, in all probability, you will start receiving email that you may have inadvertently agreed to accepting.

Second, a noisy, unsatisfied customer or disgruntled ex-employee posting a negative review in Yelp, Citysearch, Google Reviews or other online review forums can destroy new business and hurt existing business. As a business owner, you recognize the threat. If you find such negative mentions online, look at the Terms and Conditions of the sites where the slander appears. There is the possibility that the negative content posted may violate the site’s content and conduct parameters. Most sites provide contact information that allows you to request the content be removed. State your case clearly and concisely. While the majority of rating sites view such comments as valid and will not remove them, it does on occasion happen.

Third, define what you can control. Take control of your name. Create a profile for your name on the major social sites like Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. You do not have to provide all of your information in order to secure the accounts; more on this in a minute. In fact, successfully establishing these sites and providing basic information may be enough to place them on page one of your search results.

Another way to gain some control online is to purchase the URL address for your name. A quick search on GoDaddy will tell you if your name can be purchased as a website address (BeckyGreySmith.com). Consider .com, .net, .org or others to expand your digital asset base. Once you own these web addresses you can build simple websites by following tutorials. Posting a resume, bio, public contact information and a professional head shot can be helpful to not only get true information about you online but may also actually enhance your professional profile.

If you have been blatantly slandered on a complaint site or blog DO NOT post a rebuttal. It will create additional negative issues for you. As hard as it may be to do this, leave it alone.

Finally, stop the madness. Stop accepting everyone as a “friend.” Stop allowing other sites to have access to your core social sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. We have all heard the saying “you are your own worst enemy” and it can easily be applied to online conduct as well. In the privacy of your home it is easy to forget that you can create issues for yourself online that can follow you. Don’t argue online. Don’t post compromising pictures. Don’t curse trying to be funny and make it a priority to be aware of what others see when they search for you on the Internet.

All of the suggestions outlined above may seem like common sense. All of these actions are free. I hope these basics will get you started with your online defense strategy.

Jeremy Dunlap (Jer): Gulfstream

To the great folks at Gulfstream,
Thanks again for your partnership and trust for your training needs with Baker.  To say I have enjoyed my time with you all would be an understatement.  Some items to remember from training:

1.  The power of breathing (to think, to pause, to control emotions)
2.  The power of questions (Help me understand...)
3.  The power of active listening
4.  The power of empathy

Jer
Jeremy Dunlap

Jeremy Dunlap: The American Fallen Soldier Project

I am mulling around the idea of rewriting some of the stories concerning our soldiers, particuarly Special Forces, who have fought heroically.  In the meantime, my friends at The American Fallen Soldier Project released this slide show.  The slide show captures the moments when Phil Taylor (artist, executive director, and co-founder) presented the family of Matthew Axelson a portrait.

You can find a litte more information on Matt here.



The American Fallen Soldier Project here