As a United States Marine Corps veteran who served during the first Gulf War and a product of the 1970s, I was raised in a time when character, morals, honesty, and ethics were the bedrock of a person’s identity. Growing up, there was a clear understanding that taking responsibility for your actions, standing up for your values, and admitting when you were wrong weren’t just expected—they were non-negotiable aspects of being a decent human being. It shaped who I am, and it shaped the way I view the world today.
In my experience, the true measure of a person’s character is not whether they make mistakes—because we all do—but whether they have the courage to own those mistakes. Admitting when you’re wrong doesn’t show weakness; on the contrary, it demonstrates strength. It takes far more resolve to look at yourself critically and acknowledge your shortcomings than it does to point fingers, make excuses, or play the victim. There’s a dangerous trend nowadays where people dodge accountability and shift blame to others or their circumstances. This isn’t resilience or strength—it’s evasion, and it’s eroding the very fabric of what makes us a strong and honorable society.
Being a Marine taught me to accept responsibility with unwavering resolve. In the military, you learn that making excuses can cost lives, and there is no room for the blame game. Your actions have consequences, and the sooner you acknowledge your errors, the sooner you can correct your course. These lessons extend far beyond the battlefield—they apply to everyday life. The value of being able to say, “I was wrong, and I’m committed to making it right,” can be seen in our personal relationships, our professional lives, and our civic duties. Unfortunately, some people seem to believe that if they never admit fault, they’ll somehow shield themselves from judgment. They play the victim, shifting blame to others, as if that absolves them of the responsibility to grow and improve.
Let me be clear: it doesn’t. The only person it hurts is themselves, and the only character being diminished is their own.
I’ve faced my share of hardships, made my share of mistakes, and experienced my share of victories. Through it all, I’ve never been ashamed to admit when I was wrong. That’s the difference between someone who stands by their values and someone who hides behind excuses. The character I possess wasn’t just handed to me; it was forged through trials, accountability, and a refusal to compromise my ethics. For those who might question that, I assure you, there is nothing in my past that could be wielded against me to tarnish my character any more than has already been tried. You cannot hurt what has already been tested by fire and proven resilient.
Being able to stand tall, admit fault, and keep moving forward is what separates true character from mere appearance. That is what it means to be a Marine, and that is what I believe defines a life of integrity. For those who may challenge me on this, know that I do not shy away from who I am or where I’ve been. I face the truth head-on—because that’s the only way to build a character that endures.
