Doug's Desk

  • Unsung Heroes: PFC Eric M. Kavanagh, 20

    Unsung Heroes: PFC Eric M. Kavanagh, 20

    Unsung Heroes highlights service members who lost their lives in post-9/11 operations. With these conflicts fading from view it is easy for the remarkable service of these Americans to be overlooked. Their backgrounds and commitment to service are representative of the young men and women who continue to fill our military today. Eric Kavanagh was raised in Severna Park, Maryland. According to local reporting, friends and family described him as a gentle soul who loved playing guitar and spent time helping neighbors with small chores. He had a large friend group and adored his younger brother and sister. News reports…

  • Profiles in Excellence: Eisenhower and the Burden of Responsibility

    Profiles in Excellence: Eisenhower and the Burden of Responsibility

    D-Day, June 6, 1944, was one of the defining moments of the twentieth century for the United States and the Western world. The fate of the European continent hung in the balance as the largest amphibious assault force in history landed over 150,000 troops on the fiercely defended beaches of northern France. The success of Operation Overlord is well documented and often celebrated as a decisive American triumph. The books, movies, and “Back-to-Back World War Champs” T-shirts seen on the Fourth of July can lead some to believe the Allies’ success was inevitable, but that was far from the case.…

  • What Leadership Demands: The Core Principles

    What Leadership Demands: The Core Principles

    Leadership is sacrifice, the choice to place the team before yourself. Leaders create clarity, set direction, and uphold standards to give their organization the freedom they need to perform. Often, the demand for leadership is greatest in times of uncertainty when the way forward is not easy to discern. Leaders will never be perfect, but it’s a responsibility that always deserves our full effort. Our decisions have consequences that reverberate far beyond ourselves. When adversity presents itself, we must ensure our team is ready. There are four principles that are crucial to leading an exceptional team. They represent my personal…