The current generation of young Americans has its share of stereotypes. Many assume this group lacks vision and ambition or the ability to lead in a time of great peril. At Annapolis, we knew differently. We were the midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 2002. We longed to be tested, to prove others wrong about their impressions. We wanted a destiny of purpose, a higher calling.
The Naval Academy, with its glossy catalog depicting college seniors saluting crisply and brandishing swords, promised to make us heroes. Perhaps only the enlisted service members of our class truly knew what uniformed service entailed, but for those fresh out of high school, the ideal of the Naval Academy was like an invitation to join King Arthur’s Round Table. A magnificent chapel stands on the campus grounds. At the entrance, a magnificent door, twenty feet high, is inscribed Non sibi sed patriae—“Not for self, but for country.”
On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the purpose and test of seniors at the academy became clear. Al-Qaeda attacked the United States, and our commander-in-chief assumed the lead in protecting our allies and our coasts from threats to American interests. Our abilities as tacticians and deckplate leaders would be tested. Our moral compasses would be rattled and recalibrated amid the realities of war. We would suffer losses—of blood, friends, family, and innocence.
These times are of almost limitless access to free media, overwhelming consumption, and layers of instant gratification. We seek greater connectedness online, yet we must also acknowledge that the virtual public sphere fosters an unhealthy state of individualism. We have seen a growing cultural gap between the military and civilian sectors of American society that must be bridged. Integrity, the bedrock of leadership, is today a rare virtue, not a common character trait.
In the Shadow of Greatness presents first-person accounts of junior officers during two wars, on the front lines and at home, in times of valor, humor, and tragedy. It explains how their experiences at Annapolis prepared them for what would be a decade at war. It also explores the nuances of a generation struggling to achieve something big—to earn the distinction of the next greatest generation.
This literary endeavor began in late 2009 after reflection on countless deployments, great victories, and much sorrow among various members of the Class of 2002. Their stories of bravery and service needed to be told. This book provides a podium for voices normally hesitant to write publicly about their experiences. The stories allow readers to meet an array of personalities; each writes in a way that every parent can enjoy and most people could be inspired. The body of work represents the effort of hundreds of people, among them advisers, classmates, friends, and professional writers; they all helped make this book a reality. The stories were selected from a pool of submissions to highlight the most important themes from this age of conflict.
The “war on terror” remains an ambiguous concept. We ask ourselves, time and again, Was it worth it? More than 6,000 American servicemen were killed and more than 46,000 wounded during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Thousands of Iraqi civilians were displaced, or worse, died from the armed conflict in their homeland. Now, with the United States suffering under the weight of crushing financial debt and a wide array of other domestic problems, the sacrifices of those who served run the risk of being eclipsed by the crises of the moment.
The writers in this volume are true believers. They have done a great deal of soul searching and invite you to join them on a journey of remembrance of their generation’s Long War. We all believe that the futures of Iraq and Afghanistan look promising, if not assured. We are bearing witness to a global community that has renewed its commitments to combating diffuse extremist groups.
More to the point, those who have served in a decade of conflict and are now returning from war are prepared and ready to lead our country through tumultuous times at home. More than a million men and women served in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001 through 2011. This great reservoir of leadership is being tapped and called to duty at home, making America great again.
We, the members of USNA 2002, are humbled and proud to be among the many who have served, and we will continue to answer the call. We believe the nation is ready for a new generation of leaders, made up of men and women who have served after 9/11. These are our stories.