Shedding Your Skin
Today we went to the Pentagon, the most important building for the United States military. While we were there we interviewed a member of the US Army, Major Russell, and he shared some really moving thoughts about his experience in boot camp and adapting to the army lifestyle. Before the interview even started, something that stood out to me was a dog named Charlie. Charlie is known for being friendly and helping raise morale. People working in really serious and high-pressure places can really benefit from something like a dog, especially one as sweet as Charlie. It showed me that even in an intense environment, small things can make a really big difference.
I was also really impressed by “The Tank,” a room where the Joint Chiefs of Staff meet to discuss top secret military objectives. It was one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. During the interview, I asked Major Russell what the biggest change or adaptation he faced when he joined the Army. His answer was very powerful. He said that joining the Army felt like “shedding his skin.” He said the boot camp is designed to break a person down and rebuild them into a stronger version of themselves. It is not just about physical strength but also mental toughness. What I found most interesting is how Major Russell didn’t talk about this change in a negative way, but instead is very proud of it. Overall, the experience in the Pentagon was really eye opening. From meeting Charlie the dog who helps people stay positive, to hearing Major Russell’s story about transformation in the Army, I learned a lot. It also gave me a new respect for people in the military and the sacrifices they make to serve the country.
The Human Side of Power
It is our fourth day in D.C., and thanks to Shannon’s connections, we were able to get a tour of the Pentagon. Our tour guide, Officer Anthony Jackson, is a very nice man who has been serving for over twenty years in both the Army and Pentagon law enforcement. We started by checking in through security, where we met Charlie, who might have the coolest job ever. Charlie is a dog, and his purpose is to give people a boost of morale or a break from their jobs. It was a small moment, but it said a lot about the working environment, that even in such a serious place people recognize the importance of mental breaks.
Officer Jackson then took us to meet Colonel Siverts and Major Russell. Colonel Siverts brought us to the Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting room, also known as “The Tank.” This is the room you see in movies where major crises are discussed and decisions are made. Realizing that we were standing in the actual space where those conversations happen made these decisions feel so much more “real.” Thanks to Officer Jackson, we were able to step into a place that most people only ever seen on a screen. Once in The Tank, we interviewed Colonel Siverts and Major Russell, who work for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We spent about an hour-and-a-half asking questions on the fly and listening to them talk about their experiences and perspectives. Their responses didn’t feel scripted, but felt like a genuine conversation in which we were learning from them. Similar to our interview yesterday with Congressman Jimmy Panetta, they both emphasized how important selfless service has become in their lives. They didn’t necessarily join the Army or Marines for that reason, but over time the values they developed and the sense of being part of something bigger than themselves became what kept them there.
That idea of growth really stood out to me. They have both completed several tours in Afghanistan, and you could feel that when speaking with them. There was a sense of gravity in the way they carried themselves and spoke. It wasn’t something they said directly, but you could tell they’ve experienced things far beyond what most of us understand. At the same time, they weren’t distant. They were poised and formal when needed, but they also knew how to relax and connect with us, which made the conversation feel more human.
The Pentagon itself is incredibly impressive. Officer Jackson mentioned that there are roughly 20,000 to 30,000 people working in the building, and it truly feels like a small city. The tour lasted from 8:30 to about 2:40 in the afternoon, and just walking through the building felt like moving through a self-contained world. There are food courts, a gym, basketball courts—pretty much everything you would need in one place. Getting the chance to play a little one-on-one basketball on the court was a very memorable part of the experience. Overall, being there and meeting the people we met gave me a better understanding of who is actually behind the decisions we hear about. Those roles now feel less distant and more human. Seeing the people who hold that level of responsibility and understanding and how they think and what they value changed the way I look at power and what it really means.
Inspired to Join the Space Force?
Today, we went to The Pentagon and interviewed Officer Jackson, Colonel Siverts, and Major Russell. It was really interesting to hear about their personal journeys, what originally drew them to the military, the challenges they’ve faced, and the impact they feel they’ve made through their service. Each of them shared that their decision to join often started with something practical, like educational opportunities, but what kept them going was a deeper commitment to selfless service and being part of something bigger than themselves.
Before this experience, I already felt like I might want to join the military, but I wasn’t completely sure. Talking to people who have actually lived that life and built long-term careers in it gave me a clearer perspective and a bit more confidence in that interest. Hearing their stories made the idea feel more real and attainable, rather than just something I was considering from a distance.
We also learned more about the United States Space Force, which stood out to me the most. As a new branch that is separated from the United States Air Force, it focuses on protecting satellites, advancing space technology, and maintaining U.S. operations in space. What really interests me is the technology side, developing new systems, working with cutting-edge innovations, and exploring how space plays such a big role in everyday life and national security. The idea of combining service with advancements in technology and space exploration is something I find exciting and worth seriously considering for my future.
What Is Selfless Service?
Today we visited the Pentagon, which was a truly amazing and one-of-a-kind experience. We got the opportunity to speak with Colonel Silverts and Major Russell, along with Mount Madonna’s beloved Officer Jackson. Speaking with them was fascinating. It allowed me to consider a perspective I never had before, and compare it to my own life.
To be in the military is a dedication for years of effort and commitment. It’s not easy, and it’s not for everyone. I think I lack the discipline for it. To truly be committed to the military in the way that is necessary to be most beneficial to it, you need to deeply value selfless service. Both the Colonel and Major spoke on what selfless service means to them, and it was deeply inspiring. For them, serving their country is a truly honorable thing to do, and therefore their career is an honorable one as well. Their concept of selfless service is what drives them to stay in service for the military, and to excel within it.
But what is selfless service? At Mount Madonna, it’s a value we all hold. We value community service, and giving back to those who don’t have the privileges we have. In our community, civil service takes the form of food drives, planting community gardens, distribution of clothes and medicine and beach cleanups. It means seeing places we can help, and doing what we can. But in the context of the military, civil service can mean something different.
It’s very interesting to think about the different contexts that service can have. During our interview, I found myself comparing them. Service is a duty to other people, but what can that mean? For some, selfless service means making a sacrifice, performing active duty, and enduring grueling training and work. For us, it means something different. Selfless service means different things for different people, and different sacrifices people are willing to make for what they think is right.
A Rare Visit to “The Tank”
Today was for me the most anticipated day of the trip. Before going on the Washington D.C. trip we were to write a pre-trip reflection for an assignment in our Values class. I honed in very early on the fact that getting to see the behind the scenes of the military epicenter of the United States was an experience to be cherished.
We woke up even earlier in the morning today, at about six, in order to meet up with our kind friend and guide Officer Jackson. Although getting myself motivated at the beginning of the day was difficult, once we were in the Pentagon it was hard to be disinterested. We met the Pentagon’s dog, Charlie, and took a picture with him, foreshadowing the fun and comfortable day of learning we had ahead of us. We then moved deeper into the Pentagon, past the Visitor Center, where Officer Jackson described the layout of the building. The Pentagon is essentially a small city. Inside there is a huge food court, with numerous chain restaurants that we all know and love, a Virginia DMV, two banks, a pharmacy, clothing stores, and most of everything else you would ever need.
Later, we had the opportunity to speak with Colonel Siverts from the Marine Corps and Major Russell from the U.S. Army. After introducing ourselves, we were led into “The Tank,” a conference room restricted to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Regular tourists are not allowed to view the room. As Officer Jackson emphasized the significance of our visit to The Tank, my jaw dropped. Today truly opened my eyes to the great fortune that I have in my life, the amazing people working to protect us every day, and their profound commitment to public service.
Renewed Faith In My Country
Today we had the opportunity to tour the Pentagon with Officer Jackson. Officer Jackson works in the Pentagon Force Protection Agency/Pentagon Police. We visited some very important sections of the Pentagon, and we spoke with Colonel Thomas M. Siverts, who serves in the Marine Corps, and Major Russell, US Army. During our conversation with these men we asked many questions, which they answered thoughtfully and honestly. One of the common themes from our conversations in our Values and World Though class is the attitudes and core values of politicians, and how they have changed over time. My favorite example is George Washington and how as the first president of our country he set the example for all of the presidents who have followed him. George Washington was a humble and patriotic man who lived to serve his country. I asked Colonel Siverts and Major Russell, “In the past, many politicians had a background of serving in the military before entering politics; knowing this, would you ever consider going into politics after your time serving.” Both Colonel Siverts and Major Russell gave an enthusiastic “no!” Their answers to our questions were honest, sincere, and rooted in their commitment to public service and the core values of this country. Their repeated expression of their dedication to the Constitution made me feel as though these men have the core values that this country was founded on and should be governed by. Politics have changed since George Washington’s time. Politics in more recent days looks more like trying to run a business instead of maintaining a democracy. I think that the core values of selfless service and serving the Constitution have been lost. I hope that in the future, politics is dominated by a commitment to the core values of selfless service and devotion to the Constitution that Colonel Siverts and Major Russell demonstrated today during our interview. I want to thank these men for their time and their service to our country, for the inspiration they have given me, and for my renewed faith in my country.
