EUSA commander follows in father's footsteps
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Lt.-Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, commander of the Eighth U.S. Army, delivers a speech during a commencement ceremony at Seoul Cyber University in Seoul, Feb. 28. / Courtesy of Seoul Cyber University
The following is the text of a speech given by Lt.-Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, the Eighth U.S. Army commanding general, during a commencement ceremony at Seoul Cyber University on Feb. 28. We print the speech so readers, especially students, can learn the three principles Champoux has learned over his 38 years of military service. Champoux stresses the importance of integrity, professionalism and team spirit. He has also advised Korea’s future leaders to follow their passion and make it their life’s work. -- ED.
By Bernard S. Champoux
My father was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and someone I deeply admired for his unyielding commitment to serve his fellowmen and country.
Upon graduating from college, I enlisted in the Army and followed in his footsteps by receiving my commission through Officer Candidate School. For the next four decades, I served with joint and combined forces literally around the world. I was able to experience and observe different principles that have stuck with me throughout my service.
Overarched by valuable legacy of my father, I would like to share three principles I have learned over the course of my 38 years in uniformed service with the future leaders of Korea.
The first principle is to always maintain and operate with integrity. I believe the first principle is absolutely essential to becoming successful, at least the type of success that brings true satisfaction. Without integrity, subordinates and coworkers will lose respect for you.
As you well know, respect and integrity are extremely hard to get back once they are lost. So always operate with unwavering integrity and the moral courage to do the harder right and to remain a person of character: a person whose reliability, honesty and honor are always intact.
The next lesson I learned is to know your job (inside and out). Excellence is a lifelong pursuit. Those that work for you will often look to you for professional development. The only way to provide them with the assistance they need is to know all facets of your job.
And the last principle is to always subordinate yourself to the team, even as a leader. This principle is based on selflessness. If each member of a team is constantly looking out for themselves, the organization is bound to fail.
Although I’ve been deployed to various overseas missions, my time here in Korea is especially meaningful to me; as well as the alliance between two countries.
As I mentioned, Francis Champoux, my father was a career Army officer. As a Captain, he served here during the Korean War as a company commander with the 65th Infantry Division, and growing up he would tell me stories about key battles in which he participated. Serving in Korea, he said, was one of the proudest moments in his life.
When I first learned of my assignment here, I knew I had to carry on my father’s legacy and the legacy of the many other distinguished men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect this culturally rich nation.
From the “Miracle on the Han” to the “Korean Wave,” the Republic of Korea has demonstrated what a free and democratic nation can achieve. Unfortunately, this region is also home to some of the world’s most difficult security challenges. Without a doubt the greatest challenge to stability in the region is North Korea. Its policy of
“military first” diverts much of its budget to develop nuclear weapons and supports an oversized military at the expense of its own citizens’ health and welfare.
If you take a step back and look at the current state of both nations from an impartial point of view, it is easy to see how a democratic nation can thrive in a free, unencumbered social and economic environment. The ingenuity and creativity of the Korean people has propelled this nation to the apex of technological and scientific advancement, and South Korea is showing no signs of slowing down. The sky is the limit for the Republic of Korea as long as peace is maintained in the region.
The alliance between the United States and South Korea has remained strong for nearly 65 years, and our enduring legacy of partnership is only going to get stronger.
Our partnership is special, forged on the battlefield, and fortified by the common values and mutual respect of our two nations. The United States stands beside the Republic of Korea, shoulder-to-shoulder, more committed than ever before to ensure the continuation of peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Last but not least, I want to leave a few final thoughts to you, Korea’s future leaders. Engage your creative talents and capacity for discovery; follow your passion and make it your life’s work; remain confident in your abilities and do not waver in the face of skepticism or adversity; and never forget your obligation to your family and to society.
Furthermore, the development of the aforementioned attitudes is a life-long pursuit, and your education and training that you have taken has prepared for you for the challenge. As you go out into the world to begin your journey, combine a little common sense and hard work with the lessons you have learned during your time in school and I am sure you will attain the success you pursue.