Here’s a war story you won’t find anywhere else. Because there is no other Chad.

There are no politics here. Just a person. And his family. He wrote the note to 25 people. I was one of those 25.  Perhaps there is someone you'd like to share this with as well. Because it's really about all of us.

Chad is getting ready to leave. His second tour. This time to Afghanistan. His message is below.

Read his words. The story is as old as time. But it’s also  brand new because there is no other Chad.

The Team he writes to here is one unlike any that most of us have ever known. In 2006, I developed and delivered a year long leadership development program for a large Arkansas corporation. We named our group “Cornerstone.” Chad was one of the 25, chosen with almost unfathomable skill and good fortune to be part of this team of high potential leaders.

Any one of these 25 carrying in their very DNA, an individual combination of talents enabling them to lead anybody anywhere at any time.

25 sterling souls with leadership imprinted in the very essence of who they are. The “strengths” Chad speaks to here come from the pioneering research of the late Don Clifton, and the work of his grandson, New York Times bestselling author Tom Rath. The text Chad quotes from is the one we used in the program, Tom’s “Strengthfinder 2.0”

If Chad were to read this to you out loud, you’d hear a quiet southern voice not unlike the tones of warm honey that pour forth from James Taylor, who sings the song below.

But if you were to really listen to Chad’s voice, you’d also hear the iron undercurrent of command that would leave no doubt that any soldier anywhere, in any war, would do exactly what he told them to do exactly when he told them to do it.

If you were to see him, you’d first see the grin. Then the eyes that miss nothing. Scrappy and slight with a core of steel, I once saw him scale up and over a 20 foot wall in the middle of the woods as if it wasn’t even there.

Read his words. Most often the messages of men and women going to war are so wrapped in platitudes and clichés that it’s hard to pull out the shreds of truth and connect them to your own secret soul.

But not here. Not from Chad.

If you read his words—maybe you’ll send back your good wishes or prayers. Maybe you’ll even pass this along so others can have the chance to give him something more he can carry with him to Afghanistan.

If you’ve ever had the thought, “What can I do?” ---then do this. Wish him well.

Then when you’ve read and wished him well; and you can feel the emptiness that often follows after you do something that matters?

Listen to the man who plays the cello in this music. Listen to

the richness, the fullness, the depth of the tones as it wings its

ways in unknown circles of mystery, music to keep Chad safe,

to keep his wife Tracy and their kids strong, music in that tiny

little corner of Chad’s mind reminding him of all the strength he

carries with him, reminding him of that day the plane will land

in Little Rock. Chad will step out the door, he and Tracy will

lock eyes instantaneously, the kids will start yelling joy, and the

family will all walk through the corridor of that airport,

strangers will smile, one will salute, and one will break out in

applause. And then the music will rest quiet. Having done its

job.

Because Chad has come home.

CHAD’S MESSAGE

Hey Team,

I want to give you an update on what’s going on in “The Life of Chad.”  As many of you will remember, I am a member of the United States Army Reserves.  Back in June, my unit was put on “Alert” for a possible mobilization.  Then in September, it was confirmed that we would be deployed to Afghanistan for a year long rotation to perform “route clearance” operations. 

Unless you are privy to military operations, you may not recognize what route clearance operations are…in short, we are bomb hunters. 

Our mission will be to find and reduce any Improvised Explosive Device (IED) before it hurts and/or kills.  By doing this we can minimize the casualties that have grown exponentially over the past few months…and make a few parents and children back in the state happy.  J 

I tell you all this, because one of my top five strengths is “Deliberative.”  So that you don’t have to open your books, I’ve included an excerpt from the GALLUP book on Deliberative:

“You are careful. You are vigilant. You are a private person. You know that the world is an unpredictable place. Everything may seem in order, but beneath the surface you sense the many risks. Rather than denying these risks, you draw each one out into the open. Then each risk can be identified, assessed, and ultimately reduced. Thus, you are a fairly serious person who approaches life with a certain reserve. For example, you like to plan ahead so as to anticipate what might go wrong. You select your friends cautiously and keep your own counsel when the conversation turns to personal matters. You are careful not to give too much praise and recognition, lest it be misconstrued. If some people don't like you because you are not as effusive as others, then so be it. For you, life is not a popularity contest. Life is something of a minefield. Others can run through it recklessly if they so choose, but you take a different approach. You identify the dangers, weigh their relative impact, and then place your feet deliberately. You walk with care.”

I share this not trying to be braggadocios, but as someone who finds comfort in knowing that God gives us all the skills we need to perform the missions we have in life.  Does this mean we won’t run into complications or fail a time or two…NO.  Just means that deep inside us all, we have strengths just waiting to come out. 

My prayer is that as I lead my troops, I will remember my own words today and put each of my troops in the right situations to allow their strengths to compliment others and ensure a safe return. 

Nothing is certain in life and I don’t take things for granted.  I cherish all of my memories with you and hope to see/hear from you all upon my return home in July 2011.

My position as the First Sergeant requires me to report a few months early.  Nov 12^th will be my last day in the office and I will report to my unit starting Nov 16^th.   I will still be monitoring my email account unit the first of the year.  After that, I will be fully focused on getting the preparatory training lined out before my unit comes together as a company and then deploys.

As with all things in the Army, the only “sure thing” is what you just accomplished…all else is subject to change.

I would ask your prayers for my family, especially my wife Tracy who will continue to homeschool our oldest three daughters.  The younger two will also be at home to ensure that there are plenty of distractions during the school day.  The oldest two vaguely remember me being gone to Iraq, so this will really be a new experience for all of them.  Tracy still remembers the pain that goes along with a husband being gone for a year long deployment.  I try to reassure who that I will do all within my power to ensure that all my troops return home safely…not just the one she’s “more fond of”.  J But she still worries.

Thank you in advance for all of your prayers! 

I look forward to hearing from each of you.

Onward,

Chad

Cornerstone (LCP 2006)