Look.

*rubs temples*

If you’re a Leader, and the first question out of your mouth is “but do we need to pass—“

I would *strongly encourage you* to rethink wether this is the right job for you. 1/

To @gilltheamazon’s point:

Running fast *does not mean* you a good leader.

But fitness is a facet of self-discipline, which all leaders *do* have.

You’ve known this has been coming and you didn’t prepare.

Now you’re worried about the consequences. 2/ https://twitter.com/gilltheamazon/status/1299019253153226752

I say this at the *full recognition* that my fitness has always been my Achilles’ Heel as a leader.

I was a 220 APFT at USMA. Failed MilMove as a Plebe. My BOLC classmates would call me “deceptively fit.” 3/

It took deployment, a spiral into depression, & mountains of humility for me to finally get it.

I learned to put in the work, because I don’t want to surprise people when when I put on APFUs.

Those expectations bleed into how well people think I can do other parts of my job. 4/

Don’t define yourself by the minimum standards.

Once you start, the self-expectations will inform other parts of your character.

You deserve more and so does the team you play for— don’t settle for mediocrity. 5/

I’ll also add here that there are going to be hard times where we slip.

Surgeries. Pregnancies. Family troubles. Competing priorities.

Don’t shame people trying to get their shit together. Encourage and promote. Everyone is on their own road, but we’re all rucking it together. https://twitter.com/dennislemaster7/status/1300242661731897349