The following is written by someone I have a great deal of respect for. He is a friend, a mentor and a great trainer. I share this with his permission on every Excellence in Training Course and I would like to share it with you now. For personal reasons he has requested to remain anonymous, and I honor that request.
Escape From Evanescence (The Trainer’s Creed)
I looked throughout my life for a cause that could not, and would not be evanescent. Evanescence means that when my life is gone, so too are my works. Disappearing like water drops on a scalding hot griddle.
I, like you, found my life’s cause in my God, my family, work and my training. To provide, to serve, to protect and to continually strive.
We drive along life’s path to its end. One of us will give our life for the cause every fifty hours. Yet, still we will…we…will…drive…on!
Our courage and our spirit does not hesitate in the hunt for both security of our various nations, and for quiet greatness. We accept what comes.
We find joy and comfort in the living, working and training. Especially in our camaraderie of training. Take the time to lift the spirits of a sister or brother today and every day. There is definitely nothing evanescent there.
We are part of a larger and better organization. A group of brothers and sisters rivaled in legend and bigger than life. Who make us strive to be good enough to be on their shoulder “at the sharp end.” People with whom we would willingly make a “live entry” through any door in the world.
Trainers and friends who are grand enough to drive us; help us when we fail; lend support and not judgement when we make the hard calls. To lift us when we fall and drive us when we falter.
In our positive attitude and training, we leave our legacy. Those we train will keep to the path and high expectations. And we hope those who follow will remember us well and find no fault. For in the end, we can only, and will only, do our best.
Literally, hundreds of thousands of officers and our many societies benefit from our experience, work and training. The lives we save both individually and collectively are often unknown and will remain forever unsung.
But in this grand association, this cohort of magnificent and capable legends, we revel. Let there never be mediocrity or a standard of “just good enough.” The calling is too important and the stakes too abominably high.
There is no evanescence or ego here in this room among equals. Among women and men who are strong, capable and driven.
May there never be. We call upon each other. Our hearts cry out to each other.
Be…the…legend.
(Author Anonymous by Request)
Take care.
Brian Willis
Address: