First Sergeant

Not long after the learned doctor of religion with a minor in sucking up to dictators spoke on MSNBC, the show went to a First Sergeant with 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) which is about to deploy to the Gulf. He stood with his wife of thirteen years. They have a six-year old and 3-year old twins. When the reporter asked him how he felt about going to the Gulf, he replied his troops were ready and well trained. No, the reporter asked, how do you feel personally, are you concerned about leaving your family. He replied that he had a 'little' concern about that.

A little.

Soldier that he is, he is setting an example for his troops. The mission comes first and though leaving his family to go fight Iraq-for the second time-was undoubtedly difficult, he stated publicly that it was only a little bit of a concern for him. He didn't get all weepy and give his younger troops the excuse to do likewise. He won't let them cry for their little ones at home while forgetting to identify and track the Iraqi T-72 in a swirling night fight that means he and his fellow tankers or the Iraqi crew dies.

He is a soldier. And his job is to keep his troops focused on fighting and winning, and living and getting home. Soldiers 100% on their jobs will fight and live. Some in our Oprah-fied, lip-biting culture will say he is cold.

Bullshit. The first sergeant's focus on the mission is true compassion because it represents concern for his soldiers and not a false warm and fuzzy that puts the attention on his own emotions. He is not, in short, being selfish. He was being a leader.

Way to go, Top. Rip their hearts out and come home safely. And kudos to his wife who put on a happy, confident face and did her job too.

And thank you. Both of you.