I finally made it to the movie theater yesterday to see “American Sniper.” To say that the movie touched me would be an understatement. If ever there was a guy that could get behind my idea to make 2015 the Year of Service, I think it would be “The Legend”, as he was known in military circles.
Quite frankly, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the movie since I left the theater. It is extremely difficult to capture and convey how a man like Chris Kyle is molded and shaped by the events of his life. Thankfully, Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, and the rest of the cast and crew did a marvelous job. In the hours after seeing the film, I have spent hours surfing YouTube and watching numerous interviews with Chris Kyle and his family both before and after his murder. It is a huge understatement to say that he was an outstanding person.
Like any great book or movie, I learned quite a few things from “American Sniper” and Chris Kyle. I am going to share some of those thoughts with you now and if you have seen the movie or read the book (which is on my to-do list now), please leave a comment on my Facebook Page (The Shaven Raven). If you haven’t seen the movie and plan to do so soon, you might want to stop reading now…
- Don’t be afraid to do the dirty work. A sniper such a Chris Kyle sits in a relatively safe place during a battle, on the high ground. Of course, once a sniper reveals his position by taking a shot, it isn’t quite as safe. However, as the movie reveals, Chris Kyle was not afraid to leave his post and head to the trenches when help was needed there. This action defines the servant leadership, which is a trait all leaders need to make their organizations succeed.
- You can’t save/help everyone. At some point, you have to prioritize. When Chris Kyle was in Iraq, he wanted to be home with his family. When he was with his family in the States, he wanted to be back in Iraq helping to defend his fellow soldiers. We need to pick our battles and live in the moment.
- Practice humility. He was called “The Legend” by the Marines and “The Devil” by the insurgents in Iraq. However, he never thought of himself as any better than any of the other Seals that were doing the same job. In fact, in an interview with Conan O’Brien in 2012, he called himself “just a monkey behind the gun.”
- Be happy. In all the interviews I watched with Chris Kyle and his family members, nearly every one of them commented on how Chris was a happy person. He was self-deprecating (see #3) and generally lived in the moment.
- When one door closes, another one opens. When Taya Kyle finally convinced him to stay home and serve his family, Chris probably thought his military service was over. What he didn’t realize is that he could still save his fellow soldiers; it just wouldn’t be on the battlefield. He became a mentor and confidant to hundreds of veterans. In other words, there is always a way to serve; we just need to be open to new ideas.
- Don’t apologize for doing your job. Chris Kyle had a clear conscience. While people still want to argue the merits of the Iraq War, we should be thankful that there are guys like Chris Kyle who have the ability to help defend our soldiers when they are on the front line. I have no doubt that he saved countless lives and while Chris Kyle made a choice most of us would not make, we should all remember that when we are truly serving others, no apology is necessary.
- Service does not mean self-sacrifice. However, we do need to be aware that our loved ones may be sacrificing for our service. I am sure Chris Kyle was aware of this fact but at some point, we need to make sure that our service doesn’t harm the ones we love.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. While I need to read the book to get a better idea of what was going on inside Chris Kyle’s mind, the movie depicts a man who believed he did not need any help in dealing with his personal demons. However, it is apparent to me that none of us can truly succeed without help from someone. As such, I resolve to seek assistance whenever I am stuck or struggling, realizing that sometimes, the only help I need is a swift kick in the rear…
- War is hell. Yes, I knew this before the movie. But leading a comfortable life in the United States keeps me from thinking about the ravages of war. I sincerely hope that the people we elect to serve as our leaders will keep this in mind at all times. In fact, I am going to make an effort to add a prayer to my daily routine for just that purpose.
- Love wins. Taya Kyle’s love for her husband brought him back from the war. Chris Kyle’s love for his fellow soldiers saved thousands of lives (both on and off the battlefield). Chris Kyle died for this love. What are you willing to do?
In this, the Year of Service, “American Sniper” has given us all a model of what true service looks like. Between Chris Kyle and his wife, Taya, there is much to learn and emulate. May you find as much inspiration from them as I have.