Posts

World We Imagine 3

  Name and Mission of the Organization The organization I’m passionate about is the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The mission of WWP is to honor and empower wounded veterans, helping them heal physically, mentally, and emotionally from the invisible and visible scars of war. Their goal is to ensure that veterans who have given so much for this country are supported as they transition back into civilian life, receiving the care and respect they deserve. Why I Am Passionate About the Work My passion for the work of WWP comes from a deeply personal place. My parents came to America during the Vietnam War, fleeing the aftermath of the conflict. My paternal grandfather, Brigadier General Le Quang Luong, was a decorated military officer who worked alongside the U.S. Army Airborne Division. However, after the war, like many Vietnamese soldiers, he was stripped of his military status and forced to rebuild his life from the ground up—eventually working at a Pizza Hut to barely get by, bare...

World We Imagine

 After I graduate, I will commission as a U.S. Army officer, a role that will allow me to pursue my passion for service and leadership while making a real impact in the world. As an officer, I will have the responsibility to not only lead but to embody the values of equality, peace, and justice that are essential for building a better future for all. In the Army, I will work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, fostering cooperation and understanding across borders. My actions will contribute to global efforts to maintain peace, provide humanitarian aid, and ensure the security of nations. While my role will focus on leadership and strategy, it will also be about upholding the shared human values that unite us all, creating a safer and more connected world. For me, commissioning as an officer is not just about serving in the military—it’s about taking on the responsibility of global citizenship and giving back to the country and fallen heroes that has taken care of me...

Book 2 Post 2

       Rick Hanson’s How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness is a transformative guide to building emotional resilience and mental clarity. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and mindfulness practices, Hanson shows us how to cultivate a deep, unshakable foundation of inner peace, strength, and happiness. The book is not only a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their emotional well-being, but it offers profound insights that can greatly benefit someone about to embark on a challenging and rewarding career—such as joining the Army.      As an aspiring officer, the lessons found within these pages can be particularly valuable. Military life is demanding, with high levels of stress, intense physical and emotional challenges, and the need for continuous leadership under pressure. Hanson’s methods for strengthening one’s "core" are centered around simple but powerful practices that can be integrated into daily life. He...

Book 2 Post 1

 As I prepare to step into the role of an officer in the US Army, I’ve come to realize that my journey will require not only physical and tactical training, but also a deep mental and emotional resilience. That’s why I chose to read Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core by Dr. Rick Hanson. In a career that demands unwavering discipline, composure under pressure, and the ability to lead with both strength and empathy, I understand that developing emotional fortitude is just as critical as the technical skills I’ll need on the battlefield. Dr. Hanson’s book offers a practical and scientifically backed approach to cultivating resilience, focusing on strengthening the mind and emotional core so that it can better weather life's inevitable challenges. What I find particularly compelling about Resilient is its emphasis on neuroplasticity—the idea that we can train our brains to become more resilient. In a high-stakes environment like the military, where stress and adversity are con...

Random Post 2: Personal Views on Environmentalism as a Environmental Studies Major

  I believe that the future of our planet depends on how we reframe our approach to environmentalism—grounded in the recognition that a sustainable world must also be a world of prosperity. People will not act unless they see a clear and direct benefit to themselves. In other words, environmentalism must be a win-win: the health of the planet and the wellbeing of individuals must go hand in hand. Renewable energy is central to this vision—an energy system that doesn’t extract from the earth but rather harmonizes with it, creating energy that is abundant, clean, and accessible to all. It’s a pragmatic solution that aligns with the needs of the present without sacrificing the future. Yet, I also recognize the challenge we face. The tragedy of environmental degradation often unfolds slowly, imperceptibly, like the concept of slow violence described by the philosopher Rob Nixon. Pollution and climate change are not always immediate or visible in their consequences. Their true impact on...

Investment Proposal: Anduril Industries

 Le, Damien Writ 340 18 October 2024 Investment Proposal Memo The triple bottom line refers to a framework for businesses that focuses on the importance of social, environmental, and economic performance areas. Using this framework, companies are encouraged to focus on the societal and environmental impacts, focusing on sustainability practices while still being able to keep an eye on profit. Corporate Social Responsibility is when businesses take action that addresses their impact on society as well as the environment. A social enterprise is an organization that operates as a business, however, it differs in that its primary goal is to address cultural and environmental challenges. These organizations usually choose to invest their profits into their mission rather than to the shareholders. A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses emitting directly or indirectly from an entity, including individuals, organizations, or products. The carbon footprint is usually me...

Investment Proposal Draft: Anduril Industries

 The Triple Bottom Line is a framework for businesses that emphasizes the importance of three performance areas: social, environmental, and economic. This approach encourages companies to focus not just on profit but also on their impact on society and the environment, promoting sustainability and ethical practices. Corporate Social Responsibility refers to the voluntary actions taken by businesses to address their impact on society, the environment, and the economy. A social enterprise is an organization that operates like a business but has a primary goal of addressing social, cultural, or environmental issues. These organizations often reinvest profits into their mission rather than distributing them to shareholders. A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide. To measure a carbon footprint, various methodologies and tools can be...