Recently I met a USMC logistics officer and of course I said; Thank you for the service to our nation. Then he asked me how I was able to write so many articles and also run a business and to answer his question. I see the world as all one. I see things as systems, patterns, cycles and so in franchising it is a system. We deliver services to the customer.

You see once you have the delivery down, I.E. bringing the war to the enemy at a time and place of your choosing; you simply refine the tip of the sword (USMC) and then back it all up logistically so that the net-centric system supports the entire battlespace. So, doing many things at once is merely a "plug and play" of the latest mission using a proven system that can getr' done. Its all good.

Really it is all the same, do you see what I mean. And it does not matter if you are delivering justice to a "Free Iraq" ordinance to the enemy with precision systems or delivering products or services to the target customers. It is all the same. What you are delivering may actually be secondary to the system, which delivers it.

My advice to a USMC Logistics officer going from Military to civilian life as an entrepreneur? Sure; Study everything you observe logistically, execution wise and the strength of the special teams and their attitudes. This is by far the best training in critical and systems thinking you can ever have, not to mention you are learning the importance of specific task training and evolving the training to deal with "Change" the only constant.

After that throw in a little entrepreneurial fast on your feet type thinking, intuition based self-trust decision making using your observations and intel and fly by the seat of your pants experience to that and well, you have yourself a world class education in how to get things done. This is what the best of the best are doing. Howard Shultz (Starbucks), Fred Smith (Fed Ex), Wal-Mart and Bill Gates are doing. Oh and one last thing; The key to winning is perseverance and commitment to getting it done and NEVER GIVING UP and please I know there are Gurus of motivation out there, but if they fail to make these points, clearly they do not know what they are talking about. Fight on, stay dedicated to the cause and remember what I have said.

Luckily for you, you are involved with the most highly evolved delivery system in the history of this species. And for the American People, well you know that is a very good thing indeed. You are fulfilling the strength of our nation and protection of the American People and you know actually we will win the war on Terror, can't you just feel it? Siempre Fi.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?