How does the military prepare people for the unexpected, build shared purpose, and support families? This Veterans Day, three perspectives reveal aspects of military life civilians rarely see.
Retired General Charles Q. Brown Jr. recalls sitting at the end of a runway with young pilots who were reluctant to take off because their digital information-sharing system wasn’t working. His response: “Well, the airplane still flies.” Brown, who once navigated F-16s using physical maps, tells McKinsey Senior Partner Kirk Rieckhoff why embracing technology must not come at the expense of fundamental skills and judgment.
For JoAnne Bass, former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the transformation that takes place during basic training goes far beyond military readiness. She describes how weeks of demanding challenges forge a profound commitment to one another and a shared mission. Speaking with McKinsey Senior Partner Scott Blackburn, she explores how the military deliberately builds a culture of belonging and purpose.
While the military fosters a strong sense of belonging among service members, finding that same connection can be more challenging for their families. After moving nine times in 16 years as a military spouse, Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of nonprofit Blue Star Families, knows how difficult it can be to put down roots. She tells McKinsey’s Yocheved Rabhan how bridging the military–civilian divide can provide vital connection and support.
Explore more perspectives on military service, the people and families behind it, and the institutions that support them.
Adapting for America’s next chapter: An interview with CQ Brown
The power of purpose, culture, and grit: An interview with JoAnne Bass
Lessons in resilience, leadership, and trust: An interview with Kathy Roth-Douquet
Two missions, one merger: Scaling impact in the veteran not-for-profit sector