Back from Afghanistan
Three weeks after returning to the United States from my latest tour of duty in Afghanistan, I arrived in Cambridge to begin the midcareer master in public administration program at the Harvard Kennedy School. As the program began, I was introduced to my extraordinary classmates, representing more than 50 nations, who in many cases have traveled the globe tackling significant issues as diverse as environmental sustainment, health care, and international development. For all of their fantastic experiences, however, very few have experienced interacting with soldiers. Some classmates are from countries where the armed forces lack credibility, and some perhaps have been influenced by negative press reporting. As a veteran, I feel a sense of responsibility, not only to make the most of the tremendous educational opportunity that I’ve been given, but also to be an international ambassador for those serving in uniform. “What is it like?” is what I’m most often asked....