01 Feb

Posted at 07:15h in Blog
0 Likes

Willie McCool, U.S. Naval Academy Class of ’83, gave his life OTD in 2003 while piloting Space Shuttle COLUMBIA mission STS-107 which disintegrated over the southern U.S. upon reentry to the atmosphere with seven souls aboard, including Israel’s first astronaut, Colonel Ilan Ronan.  His classmate, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro posthumously promoted Wille from Commander  to Captain.   Willie was a classmate, friend and enduring inspiration.  His inimitable style:  TEAMWORK: Graduated second in our ’83 Class of over 1000 Midshipmen before becoming an EA-6B PROWLER pilot and then NASA astronaut.  He was an elite runner and Captain of ...

22 Jan

Posted at 19:37h in Blog
1 Like

"Duke" Kahanamoku passed away on this date in 1968, along with King Kamehameha, perhaps two of the most famous Hawaiians ever. Duke was a competitive swimmer who popularized the sport of surfing. He was a five-time Olympian in swimming, winning medals in 1912, 1920, and 1924. As a testament to his iconic stature, the Duke Kahanamoku legacy was honored with a 2002 U.S. Postage Stamp!   Duke's inspirational style:  TEAMWORK: At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, he won an individual Gold in the 100-meter freestyle and a Silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. During the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, he won Gold...

21 Jan

Posted at 10:45h in Blog
1 Like

Welcome aboard Vice Admiral Yvette Davids (USNA' 89), who took over as the USNA Superintendent (the equivalent of a University President) from Vice Admiral (Select) Fred Kacher (USNA' 90) last week. Admiral Kacher is off to the vanguard of our Forward Deployed Naval Forces and command of the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Japan!  Fred is one of the Navy's fightingest Western Pacific experienced Surface Warriors … maybe the finest! The Navy and Nation are lucky to have him return there. Fred described his five-month interim assignment as the Superintendent like being his ninth semester at USNA!  VADM Davids is an exemplar of...

19 Jan

Posted at 17:56h in Blog
0 Likes

We recently passed the 100-day mark of the horrific terrorist attack, murders, sexual atrocities, and kidnappings of Israeli citizens by Hamas. Israeli efforts to destroy this terrorist organization and safely recover their hostages continue, while others in America reflect on this tragedy and are coming to grips with a new wave of antisemitism in the U.S. and around the globe. This new calendar year allowed for a moment of reflection, and I thought back to my attendance at a historic rally in Washington, DC, supporting Israel in early November. I am Jewish, a former member of the U.S. military, one who...

04 Sep

Posted at 10:51h in Blog
0 Likes

Jimmy Buffet peacefully passed away yesterday at age 76, surrounded by his family and dogs.  Went from beach boy to billionaire because of his authenticity, talent, perseverance and passion. Philanthropist who shared $Millions with charitable and ecologic causes.   His  "island escapism" lifestyle is now and enduring part of American culture.   Jimmy’s inspirational style:  TEAMWORK:  TONE:  TENACITY: POTUS:    AWARD JIMMY BUFFET - POSTHUMOUSLY - WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM FOR HIS ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS CONTRIBUTION TO AMERICAN CULTURE! For more motivational “T3” leadership  stories, visit: https://thebeckert3group.com/blog TEAMWORK: Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffet recorded hit songs and packed concert venues with...

28 Jul

Posted at 06:27h in Blog
0 Likes

BUFFALO SOLDIERS:  ROLE MODELS OF  “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” (T3)!  28 July is Buffalo Soldiers Day, commemorating the formation of the first regular US Army regiments comprising African American soldiers in 1866.  These inspirationally patriotic Americans epitomized Teamwork, Tone, Tenacity.  The succinct, impactful mottos of their two regiments were, “We Can, We Will” and “Ready and Forward.”  While facing the hardships of the West and the indignations of discrimination, these valiant Americans earned respect from their fellow troops and superiors. Buffalo Soldiers had a lower-than-average desertion rate, a lower dishonorable discharge rate and a higher reenlistment rate than the rest of the Army. ...

17 Jul

Posted at 20:00h in Blog
0 Likes

Walter Cronkite, journalist and the longtime face and voice of CBS Evening News (1962–81), d. OTD 2009.He was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" in the 1960’s and 70’s after being named so in an opinion poll.Leaders set standards of honesty and integrity for others to follow … Cronkite stood out from his peers because of his commitment to truth and objectivity in journalism, and was a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. His inspirational style: TEAMWORK: Covered WWII in Europe, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War; assassinations of JFK, MLK, RFK, Apollo 11, and the Iran Hostage Crisis. Known...

28 Jun

Posted at 09:23h in Blog
0 Likes

Happy 97th B’Day Mel Brooks, b. (Melvin Kaminsky) … “We were so poor my mother couldn't afford to have me—the lady next door gave birth to me.” Iconic Comedian, Actor, Writer, Film Maker. One of very few to win the entertainment ‘Grand Slam’ of Oscar, Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards. His inspirational style: TEAMWORK:  Famously built trust, comity and loyalty with others. Envisioned goals and worked hard to achieve them. Selflessly shared credit with others while working for Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” in the 1950’s. His partnership with the late Carl Reiner in “2000 Year Old Man" skits, and production...

15 Jan

Posted at 21:45h in Blog
3 Likes

Just made the final edits on this blog entry while the Buffalo Bills are hosting the Miami Dolphins in an NFL playoff game.  On January 2nd, the Bills’ 24-year old Defensive Back Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest, and for what seemed like an eternity laid lifeless on the field in Cincinnati during that Monday Night football game.  The circumstances surrounding this extraordinary incident touched our Nation and all components of “T3”: TEAMWORK: Football is a brutal team sport.  When we think of football teams, we call up thoughts of Offense, Defense, Special Teams and Coaching.  But Trainers and Medical Staff are...

27 Dec

Posted at 20:03h in Blog
2 Likes

Ulysses S. Grant was posthumously promoted to “General of the Armies of the United States," the nation’s highest rank on December 23rd, per a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act  signed by the President. The only other Americans so honored are George Washington and John Pershing.  Long overdue and well deserved! Grant’s inspirational style:  TEAMWORK:  Collaborated well with subordinates and his superior; President Lincoln. Devised a strategy to combine disjointed Eastern and Western Union land and naval forces with common purpose, a unified combat and cohesive logistics plan. His professional and personal relationship with fellow GEN William T. Sherman is legendary; a...