Testimonial: Marine Lieutenant Colonel (ret) Stephen Brozak, General Studies 82, Columbia MBA 94
MATURE – Marine Lieutenant Colonel (ret) Stephen Brozak, General Studies 82, Columbia MBA 94
I can remember the exact moment when I understood how my military service balanced and completed my Columbia education. It was more than 20 years ago during a military exercise in the desert. It might be more compelling if I said the desert was in the Middle East, but that desert experience was in a remote part of California. As exercises go most activities took place at night, leaving the days for reading and contemplation. Armed with different books, ranging from former Lit. Hum. requirements such as “The Histories” to Herman Wouk’s “The Caine Mutiny” I understood the common bond that every Soldier has faced in carrying out their mission throughout history. Of even greater importance, I understood how unique our system of democracy was in ensuring that there was a system of checks in balances to protect our Country and those who serve from reckless decisions.
It was because Columbia Graduates from earlier years had participated in our defense and even challenged the system at times that our fighting force was not only the strongest, but clearly different from any force the world had ever seen. I now find a great sting in explaining the importance of my military service after having attended Columbia. There can be no other description for trying to put into plain words the void that exists in most of today’s graduates in their understanding of the world around them without the benefit of service to country. I do not speak of jingoistic patriotism, but about an education well started, but incomplete and unfortunately all too common and not just at Columbia. The sad irony in writing this is that within two generations the light has gone dark in the very essence of “In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen.” There is no longer an understanding, forget about recognition, of how to use the privilege of a Columbia education to participate in and sometimes even challenge our citizen soldier model.
A year after graduation, as a Marine Corps Rifle Platoon Commander, a unique appreciation of what Herodotus and Thucydides spoke about in conflicts and potential conflicts came alive for me, and the lessons learned earlier were mine to use or not. The reality that my decisions no longer just effected a grading curve, but could produce significant change in people’s lives or the outcome of meaningful struggles brought home a lesson of empowerment that is missing in today’s Columbia graduates.
The simple lesson my Marine Corps service instilled was the understanding that through focused effort and with the right preparation, an individual’s capacity to effect change is limited by only that individual’s will and good fortune. Today that effort must be focused on how to rekindle that light at Columbia and in doing so safeguard our unique democratic system.
Stephen G. Brozak, Lt Col, USMCR Ret.
General Studies 1982
Columbia Business School 1994
I can remember the exact moment when I understood how my military service balanced and completed my Columbia education. It was more than 20 years ago during a military exercise in the desert. It might be more compelling if I said the desert was in the Middle East, but that desert experience was in a remote part of California. As exercises go most activities took place at night, leaving the days for reading and contemplation. Armed with different books, ranging from former Lit. Hum. requirements such as “The Histories” to Herman Wouk’s “The Caine Mutiny” I understood the common bond that every Soldier has faced in carrying out their mission throughout history. Of even greater importance, I understood how unique our system of democracy was in ensuring that there was a system of checks in balances to protect our Country and those who serve from reckless decisions.
It was because Columbia Graduates from earlier years had participated in our defense and even challenged the system at times that our fighting force was not only the strongest, but clearly different from any force the world had ever seen. I now find a great sting in explaining the importance of my military service after having attended Columbia. There can be no other description for trying to put into plain words the void that exists in most of today’s graduates in their understanding of the world around them without the benefit of service to country. I do not speak of jingoistic patriotism, but about an education well started, but incomplete and unfortunately all too common and not just at Columbia. The sad irony in writing this is that within two generations the light has gone dark in the very essence of “In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen.” There is no longer an understanding, forget about recognition, of how to use the privilege of a Columbia education to participate in and sometimes even challenge our citizen soldier model.
A year after graduation, as a Marine Corps Rifle Platoon Commander, a unique appreciation of what Herodotus and Thucydides spoke about in conflicts and potential conflicts came alive for me, and the lessons learned earlier were mine to use or not. The reality that my decisions no longer just effected a grading curve, but could produce significant change in people’s lives or the outcome of meaningful struggles brought home a lesson of empowerment that is missing in today’s Columbia graduates.
The simple lesson my Marine Corps service instilled was the understanding that through focused effort and with the right preparation, an individual’s capacity to effect change is limited by only that individual’s will and good fortune. Today that effort must be focused on how to rekindle that light at Columbia and in doing so safeguard our unique democratic system.
Stephen G. Brozak, Lt Col, USMCR Ret.
General Studies 1982
Columbia Business School 1994
posted by Hamilton Society Admin at 10/07/2006 12:12:00 AM
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