From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: A Memorial Day Reflection on Servant Leadership

As a veteran who served 23 years in the U.S. military, Memorial Day hits differently.

It’s not just a day of parades, flags, or cookouts—it’s a day that carries the weight of names, faces, and memories. I’ve lost brothers in arms. I’ve watched men give their lives to protect others. I’ve stood in silence, saluting flag-draped caskets, praying for families left behind. I carry those moments with me daily—not just as a memory, but as a call to lead with honor, courage, and humility.

That’s why this day matters. And why, as Christian men and leaders, we must pause to ask: What does sacrifice mean for us today?

Leadership in the Face of Cost

Leadership is not optional in the military—it’s a matter of life and death. I learned early that leadership isn’t about barking orders or holding a title. It’s about taking responsibility, protecting your people, and being the first to act when things get tough.

I’ve carried those lessons into every area of my life—into business, fatherhood, marriage, and ministry. The battlefield just looks different now, but the stakes are still high. Leading a team, building a business, raising a family, and following Christ all require the same thing: a willingness to serve and to sacrifice.

Christ-Centered Leadership Demands More

Jesus modeled this better than anyone. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). In the military, we train to put others first, to run toward the gunfire. Jesus calls us to do the same in life—with a different battlefield.

After retiring from the Army Reserves, I noticed something: the need for authentic leadership doesn’t stop when you hang up the uniform. Our world is starving for it. Passive, self-focused, comfort-driven living has infected our homes, churches, and companies. But God is raising a different kind of man—a leader grounded in faith, filled with purpose, and living for eternal impact.

From Combat to Coaching

When I transitioned out of the military, I knew I wasn’t done leading—I just had a new mission. Now, I coach and train Christian men to lead from a place of strength, conviction, and humility. I help them see that their past pain, present responsibilities, and future calling are all connected.

And I constantly come back to what Memorial Day reminds us:

• That freedom isn’t free.

• That leadership always comes with a cost.

• And that we are stewards of the sacrifices others have made.

  
  

My military brothers taught me to show up when it mattered most. Now, I help men do that for their wives, kids, teams, and faith.

A Memorial Day Challenge for You

This Memorial Day, I encourage you to do more than remember—respond.

• Ask yourself who you're fighting for now.

• Recommit to leading with integrity and sacrifice.

• Teach your children what honor means.

• And most importantly, lead in a way that reflects the courage and character of Christ.

You may not wear a uniform anymore, but the world still needs your leadership.

Let’s not waste the freedom others died to give us. Let’s live and lead in a way that honors their sacrifice—and our Savior.

With honor and purpose,

 Brad Ault

 Veteran | Christian Leadership Coach | Kingdom-Driven Trainer

 Faith. Purpose. Impact.