Updated: Dec. 18, 2015
Originally Published: Oct. 2, 2014
Chris Hayes recently highlighted an interesting trend: fewer members of Congress have military experience than the average American, which is quite a shift from the situation before 1995. Meanwhile, our tendency to utilize military force seems to have increased.
During my time at both Exeter and Brown, I don’t recall anyone who chose to serve in the military. There was one remarkable woman from Columbia Law who joined the JAG Corps, and I remember her because she stood out in such an unusual way. For many graduates from Brown and similar schools, “service” often translates not to enlisting in the army but rather to “making a difference in the community.”
Even though prestigious schools like Harvard, Yale, and Columbia have reintroduced ROTC programs, there are now more popular non-military service avenues for students. Initiatives like Teach for America, the Peace Corps, and City Year emphasize the idea that service is about working with children, supporting the underprivileged, or engaging with non-profits.
My Path to a Different Kind of Service
I’ll admit that I didn’t consider these options when I graduated from college in the mid-90s. Instead, I headed straight to law school and became a corporate lawyer. Sure, I did a few pro bono cases and volunteered for friends’ organizations, but these were just side activities alongside my main goal of climbing the professional ladder.
I’m not alone in this. Many young people today are focused on landing a good job, paying their bills, dating, and setting up their own places—maybe throwing in a bit of volunteering here and there. These are all healthy ambitions. Teddy Roosevelt famously said that a man’s primary duty is to take care of himself and his family, and only then can he serve the larger community. With women now achieving higher educational levels than men, this principle likely applies to both genders.
The Human Drive to Create Value
Once I started working at a law firm, I quickly realized that corporate law just wasn’t for me. It wasn’t about lacking a noble cause; it was more about feeling that my work was interchangeable and meaningless. Reviewing documents felt like a transactional cost—anyone could do it, and the world wouldn’t change if I didn’t show up.
So, I took a leap and co-founded a startup called Stargiving.com. We aimed to leverage the Internet to help celebrities raise money for charities using sponsored clicks (think something like freerice.com, but with stars offering to meet those who clicked for their cause). The venture didn’t pan out, partly because I was still figuring things out. I then moved to a mobile software firm and later a healthcare software company, eventually becoming the CEO of Manhattan GMAT, a test prep service acquired by the Washington Post.
Sure, I can say these roles were about helping people and making a difference (like raising funds for charities and helping young folks reach their dreams). But honestly, that wasn’t my main motivation. I wanted to feel that I was contributing to something meaningful and that I was progressing personally and professionally. My focus was less on “Am I helping others?” and more on “Am I creating value?” and “Am I making a real impact?”
I founded Venture for America to guide talented young individuals into environments where they can positively answer these questions. The initiative connects enterprising graduates with early-stage companies in places like Detroit, Baltimore, and New Orleans, with the goal of generating 100,000 new jobs by 2025.
Of course, those who enlist in the military or dedicate their lives to serving the less fortunate deserve immense respect and admiration. However, military service isn’t a feasible path for everyone. I’ve seen many idealistic young people join large non-profits only to become disillusioned or burnt out. I believe that if we expand our definition of service to include “helping organizations thrive,” “creating value,” and “opening new doors for ourselves and others,” we’ll empower young people to pursue more sustainable paths that ultimately benefit society as a whole.
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Summary
In America, the concept of service is evolving. While military service once dominated the narrative, many young people now view service as contributing to their communities through non-profit work, education, and entrepreneurial ventures. The focus is shifting towards creating value and making a meaningful impact in various fields, encouraging individuals to find sustainable paths to contribute positively to society.