America is as divided-generationally and politically-as it has ever been. But the strength of America has always been its people. Our teachers, families, coaches, mentors, and volunteers have the opportunity to shape America's future. In doing so, they will not only improve individual lives, but also have the biggest impact on our national security. With 20 years of working in the trenches of America's emergency rooms and with 22 years of military service, Dr. (Colonel) McConkey combines lessons of leadership and poignant examples of how we can move Americans forward. Be the Weight Behind the Spear encourages a national dialogue on the importance of motivating all Americans to be the weight behind the spears of America's future leaders. Our national security and our future depends on it.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . vii

I . . . . . . . . . . How to be the Weight . . . . . . . . . . 1

  Chapter 1 . . . . . . . . . . Tip of the Spear . . . . . . . . . . 3

  Chapter 2 . . . . . . . . . . Leadership . . . . . . . . . . 13

  Chapter 3 . . . . . . . . . . Confidence of Youth . . . . . . . . . . 25

  Chapter 4 . . . . . . . . . . Accountability . . . . . . . . . . 33

  Chapter 5 . . . . . . . . . . Decision-Making & Overcoming Obstacles . . . . . . . . . . 43

II . . . . . . . . . . How to NOT be the Weight . . . . . . . . . . 51

  Chapter 6 . . . . . . . . . . "No Narcs for You!" . . . . . . . . . . 53

  Chapter 7 . . . . . . . . . . Nightmares Are Dreams Too . . . . . . . . . . 75

III . . . . . . . . . . Experiences that Shaped my Weight . . . . . . . . . . 89

  Chapter 8 . . . . . . . . . . "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" . . . . . . . . . . 91

  Chapter 9 . . . . . . . . . . There's No Pumpkin Pie in New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . 99

  Chapter 10 . . . . . . . . . . Bernie's Burgers . . . . . . . . . . 105

  Chapter 11. . . . . . . . . . The Last Bastion of Freedom . . . . . . . . . . 111

IV . . . . . . . . . . My Weight . . . . . . . . . . 121

  Chapter 12 . . . . . . . . . . Does it Really Matter? . . . . . . . . . . 123

  Chapter 13 . . . . . . . . . . Roots . . . . . . . . . . 135

  Chapter 14 . . . . . . . . . . Black Beans and Rice . . . . . . . . . . 145

  Chapter 15 . . . . . . . . . . I'm Your Huckleberry . . . . . . . . . . 155

  Chapter 16 . . . . . . . . . . Today is the Greatest . . . . . . . . . . 167

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . 181

About the Author . . . . . . . . . . 185

Notes . . . . . . . . . . 187