There have been a number of videos interviewing Marines and other military personnel under the label "What Lies Ahead". If you haven't yet watched some of these, check them out Here.
I posted this one on this post not for its glamour or articulation. My brother jarheads are not known for their ability to communicate effectively - unless you count cross-collar choke holds and small joint manipulation techniques. My time spent with them often produced a lingering astonishment at what they said: both the sheer idiocy of some of it, and the deep wisdom of others.
In this video, there is a point where Norwood talks about communication. He talks about talking with the locals, asking and listening to what they want, and then sending those suggestions up the chain of command to try and implement those changes.
This is what the fight is about. A system where people can openly and honestly communicate with one another and express their needs. These suggestions, complaints, etc are listened to and brought to those who can make the changes without fear of being silenced or punished.
Without open communication, there can be no democracy OR diplomacy. You have to talk not just with the people in power, who are often blind to their own positions, problems, and the true needs of their people, but with those people who are actually facing things. Leave the air conditioned conference room and ask a person who works long hours under the blazing sun what is really going on and what is needed.
Don't get me wrong, there are times when a people need leadership to direct things and being removed from the situation can some times allow for a better perspective to see what is truly needed. But we cannot neglect those we serve by silencing them or being so far removed we don't see accurately.
Watch some of these videos. Listen to these guys. Many of these videos talk about the GIVE program which I've written about in earlier. But see if you can't glean those nuggets of wisdom in each one.
