Locked-in All-in

Aloha Dreamers and Dream Makers,

At Youth Impact Program -Hawaii, this year, to develop leadership skills, I established common themes intended to enable and synchronize the life skills and foundational values that our cadre of our 45 life skill mentors (Winners) consisting of Teachers, Army & Marines Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Student-Athletes instill in our youth on a daily basis.

In addition, we invited military senior leaders from US Indo-Pacific Command: LTG Bryan Fenton, Deputy Commanding General, Indo-Pacific Command, CSM Chaplin – 8th Theater Sustainment Command, recent NFL draftees from the University of Hawaii, and numerous leaders from various sectors to instill out themes:

From left to right: Academic Director: Trey Johnson, YIP Founder, and Chairman: Riki Ellison, Head Football Coach: Nick Rolovich, Lieutenant General Bryan P. Fenton, Sgt. Mitchell, and Program Director Jason Cvercko
YIP-HI Themes:

ALL IN: “Do the right thing at the right time for the right reason.”

Yip-HI Ethos (A Way of Life That Affects Decision Making)

• I will always place the team first
• I will never quit or accept defeat
• I will always treat ALL people with respect
• I will always set an example for others to follow

Army Values (Word of the Day)

1. Loyalty – Bearing true faith and allegiance is a matter of believing in and devoting yourself to something or someone. A loyal Soldier is one who supports the leadership and stands up for fellow Soldiers. By wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army you are expressing your loyalty. And by doing your share, you show your loyalty to your unit.
2. Duty – Fulfill your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. The work of the U.S. Army is a complex combination of missions, tasks, and responsibilities – all in constant motion. Our work entails building one assignment onto another. You fulfill your obligations as a part of your unit every time you resist the temptation to take “shortcuts” that might undermine the integrity of the final product.
3. Respect – Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier’s Code, we pledge to “treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same.” Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And self-respect is a vital ingredient with the Army value of respect, which results from knowing you have put forth your best effort.
4. Selfless Service – Put the welfare of the Nation, your family, and your teammates before your own. Selfless service is larger than just one person. In serving your country, you are doing your duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is the commitment of each team member to go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort.
5. Honor – Live up to Army values on a daily basis – develop the habit of being honorable, and solidify that habit with every value choice they make. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and personal courage in everything you do.
6. Integrity – Do what’s right, legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and says nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. The more choices you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your relationships with family and friends, and, finally, the fundamental acceptance of yourself.
7. Personal Courage – Face fear, danger, or adversity (physical or moral). Personal courage has long been associated with our Army. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing.

In summary, the Seven Army Values are (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage).