As someone who has walked the paths of Yale both as an undergraduate and now as a lecturer, I’m often asked, “What lessons from your time in the special operations world would be helpful for us to know here?”
It’s a question I relish because it underscores a connection I’ve felt since my very first semester at Yale: this university reminds me, in many ways, of my former military unit. Let me explain.
Both environments share a defining feature: rigorous and demanding selection processes. While debates about privilege and admissions complexities continue — and rightly so — the reality remains that such processes often yield excellence. I’ve seen this truth play out both in the U.S. Department of Defense and here at Yale. Once you’re part of this “unit,” whether it’s Yale or a military team, the expectations placed on you are as high as the resources provided to meet them — and at Yale, those resources are extraordinary.
From this foundation of excellence, I’d like to offer three lessons from the special operations world that might serve you well during your time here.
Lesson One: Respect time — Be early or at least punctual
This cannot be overstated: always aim to be a few minutes early. This simple habit can transform your day and set you up for success. When you’re ahead of schedule, you’ll feel more composed, prepared and confident — qualities that are invaluable whether you’re heading into class, a meeting or an interview.
Being late sends a message that your time is more important than everyone else’s. At its core, lateness is disrespectful — it wastes the most precious resource we all have: time. In special operations, punctuality wasn’t just polite; it was lifesaving. If I failed to show up on time to meet helicopters evacuating us from danger, they would leave without me — and rightly so. My lateness would jeopardize lives and resources.
While your stakes at Yale may not be life-or-death, the principle remains: punctuality reflects respect for others and for yourself. If being early feels like too much to ask, then at least strive to be on time. Consistently showing up late — to meetings, rehearsals, practices or classes — creates chaos not just for you but for everyone involved. It’s not “fashionably late”; it’s rude. Don’t let lateness become a habit — it diminishes your reliability and disrupts collaboration with others.
Lesson Two: Everyone has value — Recognize it
As a young man in special operations, I once believed that I was somehow “better” than others who didn’t do what I did. That illusion was shattered quickly. On missions deep in enemy territory, even the self-described tough guys like me relied on the “geeks” for intelligence and logistical support. General McChrystal once captured this truth perfectly: “Never conflate your value to the mission with your distance from the barrel of a gun.”
Everyone plays a role in success — whether it’s on the battlefield or in academia — and every skill matters. Here at Yale, we are all working toward making this world a better place in our own ways. Value one another’s contributions; no one succeeds alone.
Lesson Three: You’re only at 60 percent — Push yourself further
During SEAL training, one lesson stood out above all others: when you think you’ve reached your limit, you’re only operating at 60 percent of your potential. This insight came after enduring “Hell Week,” an infamous test designed to push us far beyond what we thought was possible — not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.
The training was brutal at times but invaluable in combat situations where we needed every ounce of resilience and preparation to survive and succeed. We knew we could endure far more than we initially believed — and that confidence saved lives repeatedly in war zones.
While you aren’t training for combat here at Yale, don’t underestimate how tough the challenges ahead will be in whatever field you choose to pursue. And don’t sell yourself short — you are capable of far more than you think if you push yourself beyond perceived limits.
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Yale is an extraordinary place filled with extraordinary people — but it’s also demanding and competitive by design. Respect time, recognize the value in others’ contributions and fearlessly push yourself further than you think possible.
These lessons served me well in special operations; I hope they’ll serve you well here too.
