[January 18, 2026] I am extremely fortunate to have met some of the most well-known, powerful, and successful people of the modern era. Some will say that I was lucky to have known them, and they do have a point. But when I look at those who were the most moral people that I’d met, they are not the same as the most successful.
During my decades in the U.S. military, some of the most moral people I met were people who had on the surface, almost nothing going for them – nothing worldly going for them. They weren’t handsome, lacked high intelligence, they weren’t that accomplished, often friendless, had terribly disrupted families, full of tragedies in their lives, and yet despite their devastating lives, they possessed a stunning amount of ethical goodness about them.
“Sergeant Moron” (an unfortunate nickname) was one of these Soldiers who was a truck driver in my Mechanized Infantry Company. He was an alcoholic; my leadership team knew this, but being out in the field conducting training, his access to alcohol was cut off. He was not smart; he could barely read. When he was older, most of his peers were already far advanced in the NCO ranks, leaving him behind. And, he would often ignore basic uniform policies and guidance (e.g., he rarely wore his helmet).
One day, our Battalion Commander saw him in formation without his helmet and called him out for it. I even had a difficult time getting Sergeant Moron to keep his helmet on. The Bn Cdr said that he would give a thousand dollars to him, if he would wear the helmet and not get caught without it. Of course, we all knew the outcome, Sergeant Moron failed to wear his helmet.
But Sergeant Moron was the number one person who I could rely on to give me straight answers to tough questions about what was happening in my unit. All commanders need someone like this, who is not afraid to tell the stories straight, without exaggeration or embellishment. This sergeant was a “truth teller.” He could not lie. He couldn’t steal. He couldn’t cheat. And he was most humble and honorable. Most surprisingly, he was reliable to get the job done before I even knew there was a job to get done.
This Soldier had a core of morality about him that was stunning. Miraculous.
He was acting as if being itself was intrinsically good and that humans are intrinsically good, and having this view was shocking, especially given that he was under the most extreme case of suffering through his many tragedies, accidents, and disruptions in his life. His life was a moral good.
Those I knew like him, often with devastating lives, still had a core of ethical goodness to them.
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Great story, thank you sir.
Sir, I’m glad to have read this article, as it gives me hope.
Let us also remember Martin Luther King, Jr. today on this day set aside to acknowledge his accomplishments for the peaceful elevation of blacks in America. It is difficult to comprehend that King was only 39 years old at the time of his assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968, or that the prospect of his death weighed so heavily on his mind. He seems too young to have accomplished so much, or to have maintained his judgment under such trying circumstances. The magnitude of his own trials must have had a deep impact on him.
“Sergeant Moron” How could anyone get this nickname without some reality. I’ve seen this too. Mostly I’ve seen it in National Guard units mostly back in time before the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. During these wars, there was a great removal of these kind of mentally slower soldiers. Let us pray that they are all okay, and are well. But sometimes there are folks who simply do not belong in the military.
Good observation, ArmY Capt.
Thumbs up all from me.
Good Monday morning to all, and enjoy MLK Day today (and maybe a day off of work). I’m still working. I want to also draw everyone’s attention to today’s article by Joe Griffies, a great radio show host out of Ocean City, NJ. He’s telling us of several events coming up this year, the 250th anniversary of these United States of America.
https://www.theleadermaker.com/what-were-george-washington-and-betsy-ross-thinking-about/
🫡 A salute to Gen. Satterfield for his continued patience with us. 🍿 I’m holding onto my popcorn as many here will not like today’s post by him, and argue that people are inherently good. 🙏 I pray that to be true, but we know that evil walks in the hearts of all men. 👺. Don’t forget that ever, for these same evil men will destroy you, and often just for their pleasure. 🤐 Better to just keep your mouth shut. 👀 Watch others closely for what they do, for that is how you can determine if they are, indeed, good moral people or not. ❤️
Good info and insights, Gen. Satterfield
YES!, just like this quote “This Soldier had a core of morality about him that was stunning. Miraculous.” == Gen. Doug Satterfield. Well said.
Here it is, Sunday morning as I sit in my easy chair with my dog Charlie at my feet (a brown Labrador Retriever), and with a cup of hot, black, strong coffee ready to drink. Then I come to Gen. Satterfield’s blog about who were the most moral people he ever met. And now, that made me smile. I too have seen a difference in the most moral and the most “successful.” They are not necessarily the same, and sometimes I think maybe, just maybe, that these two are mutually exclusive. Perhaps not, but there is a pattern there that I’ve not yet put my finger on. Happy New Year, and all the very best to you, Gen. Satterfield, and to all those who are regular readers of this blog on leadership and making way for a moral and good life.
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Read “55 Rules for a Good Life”
Yep, Sunday morning and I too am relaxing, thinking what should I do today to make myself better. I will rest mostly. I do that as God gives us this day to rest. 🙏 For those who are religious, please continue to do those things that make others better people. Do this in an instructive way, and not in a “wagging finger pointing” way. This is how we get folks on our side. Do so with kindness. Enjoy the day for it is another day that God has gifted to us.
Thank you both, The Kid and Pastor John for your continued inspriration. ❤️