Wikepedia
"The son of a Hollywood press agent and his wife, who worked as an assistant to Jimmy Durante, Mullen was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended St. Charles Borromeo Church (North Hollywood) grade school,[3] and graduated from Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks) in 1964. Mullen then attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, graduating in the lower third of his class in 1968.[4]"
Connecticut Post from his speech at West Point:
"Mullen, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, also poked some fun at himself, noting that he had something in common with the famous West Point graduate George Custer: they both accumulated a good number of “demerits” during their service academy days."
On Letterman he pointed out that he almost had the limit of demerits needed to be kicked out of West Point within, jokingly said "the first month".
My point is not the the chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff is a goof. He is not. He has risen to lead many men, captain ships and now is in a position highly respected.
It is easy to sometimes fear the future for our kids. They probably won't rise to this position in the government but then few do. But maybe, just maybe, we worry too much.
1 comment:
Winston Churchill is another great example. Wasn't good at Latin & Greek, iirc, so spent more time studying the "lesser" language of English. (That seemed to work well for him! ;-) )
Famous letters btw teacher or other school official and his mom (or maybe mom to him?) discussing his shortcomings.
Out of government unceremoniously at various times.
And yet... an amazing leader at a time when he was needed most.
(Not that I think he's a great example for ~everything~ - but certainly for overcoming shortcomings!)
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