In a thought-provoking observation, commentator Alex Thomas highlights that the proportion of military veterans in Congress has significantly declined compared to the general population, a stark contrast to the situation prior to 1995. This shift occurs alongside an increased tendency to utilize military force on a global scale.
Reflecting on my own experiences, I can’t recall anyone from my time at Eastwood Academy or Valley University who chose to enlist in the military. One classmate from my law school days at Riverside Law did join the JAG Corps, which stood out to me due to its rarity. Among graduates from institutions like Valley University, the concept of ‘service’ seems to lean more towards ‘helping others’ rather than ‘joining the armed forces.’
While prestigious universities like Harvard, Yale, and Riverside have welcomed the return of ROTC programs, an array of non-military service opportunities has emerged for students. Initiatives such as Teach for America, the Peace Corps, and City Year are now more common. The prevailing message appears to be that service equates to working with children, assisting the less fortunate, or engaging in non-profit endeavors.
My Path to a Different Kind of Service
I must admit that I never seriously considered these service-oriented paths after graduating from college in the mid-90s. Instead, I went straight into law school and became a corporate attorney. Although I participated in some pro-social activities—such as taking on a pro bono asylum case and volunteering for friends’ causes—these actions remained secondary to my primary ambition of achieving professional success.
I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. Many young individuals aspire to secure a good job, pay their bills, establish a comfortable living situation, and perhaps volunteer occasionally. These aspirations are entirely valid. Theodore Roosevelt once stated that a man’s foremost duty is to provide for himself and his family; only after fulfilling this responsibility can one truly serve the wider community. With women now surpassing men in educational achievements, this principle holds true across all genders.
The Desire to Create Value
Once I joined the law firm, I quickly realized that practicing corporate law didn’t resonate with me. It wasn’t that I wasn’t helping others; rather, the work felt interchangeable and unfulfilling. My role involved reviewing documents that felt like mere transactional duties. I could be replaced, and life would carry on unchanged.
This realization propelled me to co-found a startup, DreamFund.com, aimed at leveraging the Internet to assist celebrities in raising funds for their favorite non-profits through sponsored clicks (imagine a platform akin to freerice.com, but with celebrities incentivizing engagement). Unfortunately, the venture faltered, partly due to my lack of experience. I then moved on to roles in mobile software and healthcare technology, ultimately becoming the CEO of PrepNext, a test preparation company that was acquired by a larger media entity.
While I could argue that these jobs contributed to societal good—by raising funds for charities or improving hospital efficiencies—the truth is that my motivation stemmed from the desire to feel impactful within the organization. It was less about the specific tasks and more about the significance of my contributions.
For me, the critical questions were not “Am I helping others?” but rather, “Am I creating value? Am I making a difference? Do I appreciate my colleagues? Am I evolving as a person and a professional?” If I were to stop showing up, would anyone notice? This realization led me to establish Venture for America, which seeks to guide talented young individuals towards environments where they can find positive answers to these questions. The initiative aims to direct graduates to early-stage companies in cities like Detroit and New Orleans, fostering job growth and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, with a goal of creating 100,000 new jobs by 2025.
Service to one’s country or dedication to those in need deserves recognition and respect. However, military service isn’t a feasible option for everyone. I have witnessed many enthusiastic young people join large nonprofits only to feel disillusioned or burnt out. I believe that if we expand the definition of service to encompass ‘helping organizations thrive,’ ‘creating value,’ and ‘opening new avenues for personal and communal growth,’ we can empower more young individuals to pursue paths that are both sustainable and beneficial to society.
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In summary, redefining ‘service’ in America to include diverse avenues for making a difference can inspire young people to find meaningful and fulfilling careers that contribute to society in various ways.