Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World

>But, if you think about it, not only were these soldiers saved by the decisions of one person, but their children yet unborn—were also saved. And their children’s children—were saved.

Yeah. Shame about the children, and the children's children of the local population though. You know, in their own homeland and all, not asking for trouble or anything...

It sounds like an impressive speech. I understand people share his values.

The bravest and most meaningful action I saw from a military person was a college roommate who had returned from active duty as a Marine in the Gulf War. I don't know if his training was as intense as a SEAL's but he saw active duty and looked long and hard at his actions and those of this country and applied to become a conscientious objector.

I think he valued and lived all the things the UT guy talked about, but to me it seemed he did one thing further. After all, when a country goes to war, the other side has soldiers who share all those values too. What makes one side better than the other? I doubt many would say might should make right. I don't know if anyone can answer that question better than any other, but I believe he concluded that you have to examine your conscience and the conscience of the military for which you work and the civilians for whom it works. He told me that when he enlisted his intent was to defend his country but that his experience and thoughtful consideration showed him the U.S. military today wasn't about defense. What it was about he couldn't say for sure, but it had more to do with corporate control than defense. He felt lied to by a system that was designed to lie to him and everyone else and he couldn't see changing in his lifetime. That his participation in the military would force him to support with his actions things he could not support. This is an Ivy League guy who was decorated and nearly made the NFL and Olympics.

The UT guy talked about very important things. I agree we would all benefit from them. All his underlined parts were about changing the world. He didn't say only the military provided those things, but I think it's worth calling out that you can get them elsewhere, as well as other things you can't get from the military. I'm sure he knows plenty more than I do, but I think my friend had one extra step that I didn't see in that speech about changing the world, something about thinking deeply and considering a bigger picture about the consequences of your actions.

I'm sure he thought these things through himself, and I'm sure many soldiers do. Maybe all of them do. If they concluded they were doing right, they have the right to their conclusions. I'm not trying to say he was wrong or that the military is wrong. Everyone has their values. I just didn't see the call to examine your values in the speech. I suspect more people would become conscientious objectors if that message was stronger. Or rather, the government would have to make different decisions if potential soldiers considered bigger pictures than what he talked about.

It's a motivational speech by soldiers to soldiers, I guess it's fair to debate that aspect. To be honest I was surprised to see such link at the top of HN, so I'm really curious to know what other HN fellows like coldtea think about it.

EDIT: I know the folks are not soldiers, but the tone of the speech makes it sound as that IMHO

This was an interesting article, though most of the points seem to revolve around the theme of "Never giving up". I found the first one particulary interesting (the make your bed one).

here's the points in summary:

1. "Make your bed" - start your day off by accomplishing a small task. Little things in life matter and add up.

2. "Find someone to help you paddle" - You can't accomplish great things alone, you need friends and collegues.

3. "Measure a person by size of heart" - Judge people by their deeds not ethnicity, etc.

4. "Get over being a sugar cookie and move on" - Sometimes no matter how great you do things, they fail. Accept it, keep going.

5. "Don't be afraid of circuses" - in face of constant failure, learn from it each time, persevere, let it make you stronger.

6. "Sometimes slide down the obstacle head first" - Don't be afraid to take a risk in order to achieve greatness.

7. "Don't back down from sharks" - people/events will actively try to take you down, stand your ground, fight back.

8. "Be your best in the darkest moment" - During the hardest/most critical times, you must be calm and composed to bring your peek performance.

9. "Start singing when you're up to your neck in mud" - Be a bearer of hope, persevere in it, there is power in hope.

10. "Never ever ring the bell" - Never give up, never quit.

I would be interested in knowing what other HNers have for good points they try to live by.

The Navy Seals I have known in my life have been the most honest, bravest, and intelligent people I have ever known. I'm grateful people like this exist in the world.