Born in Heidelberg, Germany and raised in various military communities in Germany, the United States and Korea, Lieutenant Colonel Myles B. Caggins III says that a career in the military was never his initial goal. Moments after meeting him, it’s clear that Myles would succeed in a number of professions. In fact, it may be surprising that he chose a career in the United States Army instead of a number of other lucrative ways to make a living.
Myles’s professional path is one of a successful Army officer who has risen through the ranks of the country’s largest institution. However, his story is about navigating choices, assessing and following dreams, and taking risks to do what he loves – a story that resonates with everyone.
As a child, how did you learn what things you were good at? And, how did you not get stuck in dreams that that would never be?
My parents created an atmosphere and expectation of success that brought out the best out of my abilities. As a kid, I didn’t always know what those abilities were or where they would lead me as an adult, but I was clear about a couple things. I seemed to read, write, and recall information better than most. I was not very athletic, and even though I had typical boyhood dreams of playing in the NFL or winning Olympic medals, sports were not in my future. I just never had that skill. So I focused on the skills that I did have. Also, growing up as a military kid, I was exposed to people from different cultures and countries, backgrounds. Being surrounded by such diversity at early age and seeing the world in “technicolor,” I simply perceived everyone as “maybe slightly different on the surface,” but equal. Knowing that I was just as good as anyone else strengthened my self-esteem and made being the “new kid” at school (and later in various situations) much easier.
When it comes to dreams … I ask myself what’s an attainable goal, for me. I respect people who follow their dreams, but believe dreams need to be based in reality. Sometimes I think some of the success I have had in my life occurred simply by building relationships and working towards attainable goals that could be laid out on a timeline and a clear path. That is very different than someone who has skill like athletics where you twist your ankle and your dream is shattered, or you’re an artist waiting for a big break but there is no path or connection to someone who can get you there. Anyone can get tied up in a big dream but not everyone invests in themselves, assesses the attainability of that dream, and builds the essential skills that are required to make it come true.
When and how did you decide to pursue a career in the Army?
Being in the Army was initially not a goal of mine. One day while in high school I said to my parents, “Well, you are going to pay for college aren’t you?” They said, “That’s not how things work. We support you going to school, of course, but you’ve got to do your part. You need to apply for an
and try to fund your own education and have a path to a great career.” So I complied, and applied for and received a ROTC four-year scholarship. At the time I thought I would maybe go into the Army Reserves or maybe even quit after the first year and find another scholarship.
But my very first day at
I met other cadets in the
who gave me a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and “purpose” that I had not experienced before.
Often, we succeed because of professional mentors and the support of others, and sometimes we struggle because of rivalry and competition. What’s your advice to navigating both?
This is a great question. Having a diverse group of mentors is essential. And, as anyone climbs the ladder, they should find time to lend a hand to the next generation. Mentoring is a mentality. Typically, you don’t walk up to someone and say, ‘hi, could you be my mentor?’ Sometimes mentors find you but mostly you meet them or seek them out through some professional association. It starts and continues because of two-way communication. Start the communication with something small and let it build over time.
I’ve had some fantastic opportunities that are, in many ways, beyond what my peers have had – mostly because of volunteering for the “extra” and not just showing up for the “9-to-5.” Mentors are helpful but it’s also important to have a really great sense of awareness of who are the influencers, and up-and-coming people in the organization, who are and will continue to be successful.
When it comes to rivalry, not all peers and co-workers will be supportive. However, I always find a way to say something positive when others succeed, even if it’s someone who may have acted negatively toward me. Similar to what you learn as a kid, if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. And, you can always find something positive to say about everyone, even if it’s about their professional competence. Always keep things professional and avoid office gossip.
There is also something to be said for not sharing too much information. Earlier this year I was selected for the senior service college (executive leadership training for Army colonels) and would like to do a fellowship at Harvard—a
that a couple of my mentors completed. But I don’t walk around the office saying hey, this is what I’m going to do. Why? Because most of my peers were not selected for this opportunity, sharing my Ivy League aspirations widely could be perceived as gloating or bragging. Keep things to yourself, not only because it’s often not anyone else’s business, but because sometimes people can use this information to hurt you or undermine your abilities, should the opportunity not pan out. Beware of haters and
One thing you can do is celebrate the success of others. Praise and thanks go a long way toward engendering good will.
I’ve learned that there are some people who will help you to be successful and there is a small group who will try to undermine you either directly or indirectly. A mentor told me, when I was promoted to lieutenant colonel, that, for the rest of my career, my focus should be to help others. That was his simple instruction: be known for helping people. It doesn’t matter who they are, if they are equal rank, or subordinate, or a senior, just help them. There are plenty of opportunities to help people everyday. Something as simple as helping a colleague proofread a document or offering to buy a cup of coffee for a co-worker can go a long way. And, never forget the positive impact a simple smile or compliment can have on someone’s day.
Whether someone is a prudent or calculated risk taker, or a “fly by the seat of your pants” type, at some point success comes down to taking risks. Can you share a situation when you chose to take a risk when it would have been far easier to have done something else?
Seek the tough jobs, go wherever the things that you want to do are happening, because that’s where you’ll have the awesome experiences. Sure it’s a higher risk, but it’s also a higher reward.
I applied to the
I did it in part because I have always admired Colin Powell, who was a former White House Fellow. It is one of the nation’s most prestigious leadership programs that provides people at a relatively young age the chance to make extraordinary strides in leadership and accomplishments in community service.
The first time I applied as one of about 1,200 applicants I made it to the regional round. I tried again the next year, but didn’t even get an interview. Since it was an important dream of mine, I applied a third time. Each time, I had to go back and ask my mentors for letters of recommendation. With each attempt I revised my essays, writing more from a heart than a head perspective. On my third attempt, I went to the national rounds. I participated in nine separate interviews with 27 different panel members over four days. Then, about a week later, I got a phone call saying ‘thanks for applying, but sorry you didn’t make it’.
By applying to be a White House Fellow, not one, not two, but three times without being chosen, I learned that my reward for this risk was the journey. Granted, it is a great program and it would have been incredible year, but it just wasn’t my time. Initially I was bummed. Now, nearly three years later, I can see that it wasn’t the only path to achieve all the things I wanted to achieve. If you Google my name, you’ll see I made it to the finals. I am sure there are those who think, as I certainly have thought, “why not me?” But it’s okay. Forget where you fall flat, build relationships along the way, and examine your motivations for why you wanted to do something in the first place. I find the good, and don’t see it as a failure, but rather a part of my path to personal growth. Fast forward to the spring of 2015, an unexpected opportunity developed for a position at the White House in media relations. I stepped out on faith and submitted by resume for consideration. Three rounds of interviews later, I was offered a position as Director for Strategic Communications and Assistant Press Secretary for the National Security Council. God has a variety of ways of teaching lessons about patience and humility. And sometimes those lessons come after you’re in the
I love what you just said too about checking your motivations. I also think sometimes things don’t happen on purpose, as if to push us in another direction. However, when it comes down to it we all make choices and need to be prepared to meet the opportunities that present themselves. What are your thoughts?
I believe in the equation ‘preparation plus opportunity equals success,’ but I also know that there are times when life is beyond our control. Life happens sometimes in ways that are amazing, and sometimes in ways that begin bad - and end up positive. I also know that a person’s attitude can change their outlook and their future. In every situation and interaction there is a “positive” if you look for the good. That doesn’t mean your interactions should only be outcome based, but rather chances to always ask what can I learn or gain from
this.
Some days are going to be good. Others are going to be calamities, natural disasters, car crashes, and relationship ups and downs. It comes down to how we respond to the test. When we get laid off, what do we do? Do we wallow in depression? Do we grumble and say things are too much work? Or do we get busy and try to get onto the next stage? Equally, when we get an accolade or an award that was unexpected, or a bonus, what do we do with that? Do build ourselves up, pat ourselves on the back and pump ourselves on Facebook? Or do we take a more humble approach and see the ‘success’ that came our way as an opportunity to serve or give to others.
I’m a government guy, but I have friends who work on Wall Street and other places who literally make ten times what I do. But in many ways they don’t have my quality of life.
I don’t wake up wondering if my job is going to be here or not. I get a chance to represent a very large and honorable organization all around the world. Sure, sometimes I think it would be cool to live in Manhattan and have a lot more disposable income, but for me I’m just a person who is wired, and has been raised and mentored, to do work that serves other people. Every day isn’t a good day. And on those “bad” days, I look for an opportunity to help others. Whatever I may be wallowing in, it immediately makes me feel better when I have had a chance to offer a hand to bring somebody through their struggle.
I haven’t always been like this, it’s just something I’ve learned as I got older. I’ve gotten stronger in my faith and started to recognize my greater purpose in life. I used to think my promotions, awards, and high-profile opportunities were achievements in themselves, but now I see all of those things as opportunities to help more people. That’s what drives me now. Not the plaque, or the certificate on the wall, or the medal on my chest, and certainly not the paycheck, it’s the chance for a greater responsibility and with that greater responsibility come greater chances to serve more people.
What’s your advice to someone who hates their job and says, “I can’t do this any longer.” Someone who may not really know what they want to do but are clear that they want a life doing what they love. How do they even get started?
Look for your purpose. Find what makes you wake up every day passionately focused on doing that “thing.” Strike a balance between doing your passion and having a paycheck to maintain a certain standard of living. Find passion in aspects of what you do, and once you do it more and more, it tends to get better.
And, for those who are meeting people seeking their passion, I would say find out what is passionate about that individual. Give them a side project that they are going to love and put all of their effort into, even if it’s not their turf or their time. Give them a chance and see where they blossom.
And, if you’re a person of faith, pray.
What’s some unconventional or quiet wisdom you learned from someone else?
One great piece of advice that I received was when I was mid-career and had to choose my next assignment/location. The advice from a former commander was to “go where you’re wanted.” He explained that it didn’t matter if the geographic location was undesirable because going where you are wanted puts you in an environment where somebody is asking you to be on their staff. It means that you’ll be in a place where someone recognizes what you can potentially bring to the table and they are going to continue to develop that and give you opportunities to shine.
Equally, I have learned that striking out on one’s own at certain points in your their career can be risky, and it can also be stressful. That advice I was given has afforded me great opportunities, but at times it has also been “the price” I have paid for my professional success. It has caused me to put personal things to the side. I have some friends, who I admire greatly, who have not had nearly the same professional ‘success.’ However, they have spouses and families that are growing and leaving a legacy greater than any “scroll” my name will be written on.
As I get older, I admire their accomplishments and have refocused my own. My career is no longer my master, but I trust that I will live well, be a good person, and hopefully develop personal relationships that will leave a much greater legacy than anything I do professionally.
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About Myles B. Caggins III
Lieutenant Colonel Myles B. Caggins III is a Director for Strategic Communications and Assistant Press Secretary for the National Security Council at The White House. As a second generation Army officer, he has also been a former White House Military Social Aide for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and Term Member in the Council on Foreign Relations. Initially, he turned to the military’s ROTC program as means to pay for college. But he stayed because it gave him opportunities to do the one thing he was born to do: serve others.
During his 19-year career, he has served in a variety of leadership and key staff positions in stateside and overseas duty locations. He recently served at the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He has received numerous military awards including two Bronze Star Medals and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Myles is living his purpose, or at least part of it, through mentoring, community service, and finding ways to help others in every personal and professional encounter.
He is particularly passionate about working with young people and has worked with Metro TeenAIDS, a D.C. non-profit focused on HIV prevention, through Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication. In addition, he was recognized with the Spirit of Georgetown Alumni Award, in 2010, for professional achievements and community service. He is a regular guest speaker at schools and mentorship programs.
Currently, Myles is a member of the National Press Club, Rocks, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Society of White House Military Aides, and former alumni instructor in Georgetown’s Masters in Public Relations program. He is a graduate of Hampton University and earned a Master’s in Public Relations at Georgetown University on a fully-funded Army scholarship in 2008.