Admiral Mcraven Persuasive Speech

Keeping rooms spotless and racks tucked tightly; ironing on crisp vertical lines on the uniform tops and shining leather shoes until light reflects off of the tops; squaring every corner with a 90 degree angle; sounding off every menu item and the billets of the officers of the day during chow calls – the responsibilities of a plebe may seem monotonous, even pointless at times; however, these “little tasks” all serve a purpose towards the development of 4/C midshipmen. As Admiral McRaven discussed during his speech to the Brigade, the outlook and the effort we put out into these everyday tasks and responsibilities has a direct effect on our destiny. In his speech, Admiral McRaven argues that we are directly in charge of our future and destiny; the decisions we make today and the interactions we have with our peers can control how we develop as future Naval officers. Thus, it is imperative that plebes (and upperclassmen alike) give forth our best
This entails ironing on carefully measured creases into the front and back of the working blues shirt, keeping our leather shoes gleaming and making sure that the dirt on the edges is cleaned off, and getting haircuts when needed. Although this helps plebes look clean and squared away, giving the effort to maintain a good-looking uniform also ensures that we “maintain the integrity of our uniforms”, as Admiral McRaven discussed. The working blues, SDB’s, and other uniforms we wear are more than just clothing – they are representations of the Navy. Every time we dress in our uniforms, we are serving as physical embodiments of the Navy, including its pride, heritage, and the sailors and Marines that strive to keep our nation secure. Thus, plebes and upperclassmen alike must be willing to maintain clean and well-kept uniforms not only to make ourselves look tidy, but to also represent the greater whole, or in this case, the United States