January 29, 2024

This blog entry is a guest post from DCTC scholar April Sayers of Virginia Tech (pictured far right in the photo).

I recently attended the Naval Academy’s Leadership Conference from January 21st through the 24th with several other Defense Civilian Training Corp (DCTC) scholars and Virginia Tech Cadets. The conference offered many opportunities to meet people and make connections, as well as take away messages from the inspirational men and women who were invited to speak to us.

The conference followed the structure of speeches or panel sessions followed by breakout sessions for discussion. We spent a lot of time with our breakout groups, which ended up being my favorite part. My group consisted of students from all over the country and from all types of schools. Every one of us had a different experience and perspective, which led to insightful discussions. I also built better bonds with the other DCTC scholars on the trip. The other students in DCTC are people I would never have encountered or become friends with, were it not for our receiving entry into the DCTC program. The importance of these cross-disciplinary connections is not lost on me.

While many of the speakers at the conference were either active or former military, there was wisdom to be gained from every one of them, especially since DCTC is preparing us for jobs where civilians work alongside servicemen in all sorts of fields and scenarios. While I will likely never be in a life-or-death situation in which I need to lead, those I serve may be. I hope that my purpose in the DoD will be to research and somehow improve conditions for the warfighter, however that may be. And strong leadership and collaboration are important no matter what kind of team you’re on.

Here is some of the most valuable advice (in my opinion)

1. “Show them the way, and then go with them.” – Col Michael Styskal, USMC (Some of the best leaders aren’t those who just give the orders. They’re the ones who support and stand beside you.)
2. “Pursue the things that make you resilient.” – Col J.P. McDonough, USMC
3. “Just because you don’t know everything doesn’t mean you don’t belong.” – Adm James Winnefeld
4. “Never too junior to have a great idea, never too senior to have a bad one.” – VADM Tim Szymanski
5. “I don’t ask them what I can do, I ask myself what I can do for them.” – Amanda C. (a girl who was in my breakout group)

These were just some of my favorite takeaways. Not all had to do with leadership; some of them had to do with personal growth, but I believe that is just as important to being a good leader.

Number 3 really stood out to me. “Just because you don’t know everything doesn’t mean you don’t belong.” As a DCTC scholar, I’ve already struggled with imposter syndrome. I don’t yet know all of the intricacies of the DoD and US military, and I’m a biological systems engineering major, which I never thought would be needed in any great capacity, in the same way international relations or cyber security majors are needed. Since hearing that I’d been accepted, I’ve kept thinking, “Wait, why would the DoD want me?” But as we’ve been assured by DCTC directors, guest speakers, etc., there are all types of people in the DoD. All types of knowledge and experience are both needed and wanted. So why does the DoD want someone like me? Why were each of us chosen for this opportunity? Because we each bring a new perspective, and DCTC is cultivating our potential so we can serve our country in a different way from what most people imagine.