A Reflection on Integrity, Faith, and Leadership

Why I Left the Army After 26 Years: Two Years in the Rearview Mirror

Have you ever reached a point in your career where you knew something had changed? Maybe it wasn’t a shift in your work ethic or even your goals, but something more profound—a change in the values and direction of the organization you once loved. What do you do when that moment hits you? For me, after 26 years in the Army, this was one of the easiest decisions of my life. I had to walk away. It became clear why I left the Army.

This post is not about military politics, rank, or promotion. It’s about standing firm in your values and choosing integrity over comfort. If you’re a leader, business owner, or veteran, a Christian navigating leadership challenges, you’ll understand the weight of that decision. In the next few minutes, you’ll see why I decided to leave the Army after 26 years, and I hope you’ll find clarity, strength, and maybe even some inspiration to stand firm in your convictions.

When The Army Changes—And So Do You

I didn’t leave the Army because I had to. I left because the institution I had once poured my heart and soul into was no longer aligned with who I had become. After reaching E8 and being laterally appointed as a First Sergeant, I noticed that the system had become more about politics and less about leadership and merit. Soldiers were advancing not based on their skills but because they knew how to navigate the system.

I intentionally declined to pursue the next promotion to E9 for two years. I didn’t update my records or even take the required Department of the Army photo because I wasn’t interested in chasing titles. What mattered more to me was the impact I was making on the soldiers and students I had the honor of leading. And then, for the next two years, I went further—sabotaged my records to avoid being promoted. Ultimately, this was another reason why I left the Army.

It wasn’t about rejecting progress. It was about standing firm in my belief that integrity means more than a title. Leadership is about serving others, not manipulating the system for personal gain.

The Cultural Shift

But it wasn’t just the promotion system. The Army’s culture had shifted dramatically. It had become less about mission readiness and more about social experiments like critical race theory and transgender training. These agendas began taking priority over the core values the military was built on—duty, honor, and country. I could feel the conflict inside me growing.

I hold what you could call independent-libertarian-conservative values, but labels don’t matter to me. What matters is who you are and the condition of your soul. I wasn’t about to compromise my beliefs and values to stay in an institution that had lost its way.

The Army was no longer the same, and neither was I. It wasn’t that I no longer loved the Army—she will always be a former love, and I will continue to honor her. In this stage of my life, she’s like an old girlfriend you keep returning to or a mistress. Our families know that feeling well because we might say families first in the Army, while they mean putting the Army first so you can take care of your family. It fails miserably. But people run institutions, and the Army, like many others, is influenced by those in power. From Pennsylvania Avenue to the halls of Washington, those promoting senior leaders, feeding the institution, and resourcing it had shifted its focus. And that was something I could no longer stand behind. This is why I left the Army.

The Breaking Point: The Vaccine Mandate

The final straw for me came with the vaccine mandate. I couldn’t, in good conscience, support a mandate that used aborted fetal cells in its development. It was a direct violation of my religious beliefs, and I wasn’t about to compromise on something so foundational to my faith. I also grew up fatherless and my mother chose life.

I fought for and received a waiver, but it didn’t matter by then. I had already realized I was standing alone in an organization that no longer reflected my convictions. As I knew it, the Army had changed, and I could no longer serve in good conscience. This is a key reason why I left the Army.

Leadership isn’t about bending to every new agenda or directive. Authentic leadership is about standing firm in your values, even when uncomfortable or costly.

Lessons in Leadership and Integrity

Walking away was an easy decision; it was right. And if you’re a leader—running a business, leading a team, or guiding others in faith—you’ll know that leadership is more than making decisions that feel good at the moment. It’s about making choices that honor who you are and what you stand for.

Here are three key takeaways I want to share from my decision to leave the Army:

1. Integrity over Comfort: There will always be opportunities to take the easy way out—to chase the promotion, the bigger paycheck, or the recognition. But at what cost?
   • Ask yourself what matters more: your integrity or the temporary gain. Choose integrity every time.
2. Know When It’s Time to Walk Away: Whether it’s in business, leadership, or life, sometimes the hardest decision is knowing when to step away. It’s not about quitting but recognizing when an organization or situation no longer aligns with your values. Walking away is sometimes the bravest thing you can do, and that’s why I left the Army.
3. Stay True to Who You Are: In a world that constantly pushes you to conform, there’s incredible power in staying true to who you are. No one can be you but you. Lean into your values, your faith, and your unique leadership style. Let your work and your impact speak for themselves.

Conclusion: Leadership Requires Courage

Leaving the Army after 26 years was one of the most challenging choices I’ve ever made. But it was also one of the most necessary. I knew staying would mean compromising my faith, values, and integrity. And for me, that’s not negotiable.

If you’ve reached a point in your life or career where you’re questioning the direction of the organization you serve or your path, I encourage you to take a step back. Reflect on your values, mission, and purpose. Are they still aligned? If not, maybe it’s time to make a change.

Call to Action

If this message resonates with you, I encourage you to comment, share this post, or subscribe to my newsletter for more reflections on leadership, faith, and living unapologetically true to your convictions. Remember: leadership is about standing firm in your beliefs, even when the world is shifting. Stay strong, stay faithful, and lead with integrity.