The former Secretary of Defense has a new book out with Bing West entitled Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead. Through war torn and seasoned eyes, the book explores times through the career of a four-star Marine Corps general leading troops into battle, under administrations both Republican and Democrat. In an interview with Morning Joe on September 4, 2019, Jim Mattis said that our country is deeply divided and it remains our individual responsibility to be civil and respect one another. In regard to the recent development that the Pentagon is diverting $3.6 billion in military projects to fund the border wall, the General refused to be a critic. He makes clear that he’s concerned primarily with trust amongst policy makers. His silence, Mattis explained, was to not “add to the corrosive political debate.” 

The anger that is apparent in America today marks a loss in the battle for our better angels. Cooperation between citizens and elected officials, communication amongst allies and enemies are the surest ways to success and prosperity. We need to take care of ourselves, our neighbors, our fellow man and our planet. The problems we face are generational and wide-ranging, and solving these ailments will not be quick nor easy. The first step, to take a hint from the General, is identifying personal culpability. 

In heeding that advice, I will take responsibility for my actions. I am guilty as charged when it comes to consuming stuff without considering repercussions on the environment. I am responsible for the words I have used to describe people I am close to. Despite my comments being behind their backs – which I believe is the appropriate way to call someone an asshole – it’s not nice and it’s certainly not fair. I have disregarded people near me at all hours of the day and night; this specifically refers to my raging alcoholism and eventual disregard for my neighbors trying to get some fucking sleep… “Sorry Guys.” 

Moreover, it is critically important to be accountable to oneself. I have not always looked out for my own best interest. Frankly, my MO usually involves calculating every maneuver that would be best and serve me well, and then not moving at all. This is easily explained by youthful enthusiasm and naïveté. It is more difficult and painful to understand that I made conscious decisions to cause personal distress. With a clear head, I have made some ugly mistakes that lead to my own detriment. I take no pride in admitting this but the admission must be made. 

Accountability is difficult on a good day. It helps to have people around that hold responsibility in high regard, but the real test of culpability is personal and comes from somewhere unknown. Individual responsibility is unique, unquantifiable, and unlimited. Take for example the Canadian Goose; the large bird that is found on golf courses, college campuses, and just about everywhere that you’re trying to go. When these birds take flight, they immediately gather into a V-shape formation. And they squawk. Man, do they squawk! All the other birds in the formation squawk at the guy in the front. They need him to keep going, to keep the pace, to break the wind for the other birds to follow. The guy upfront can’t squawk because he’s busy trying to fly the fastest. Eventually, all the goose will take turns up front, but it’s the first goose that sets the pace for the flight. He’s the guy that brings into focus the strength of the team to accomplish the mission, which is a few thousand miles of migration and procreation. 

We have a similar task to tackle. Be the Lead Goose. 

-Daniel J. Neebes