MEET JOSH

I had just transferred from community college to Yale University when I arrived on campus in the fall of 2001. September 11 was the first time I met my dean. And then America was attacked. Yale had given me an extraordinary opportunity. I was in a new and unfamiliar world, surrounded by people, ideas, and experiences very different from anything I had known before. Watching what happened that day made me think about the country that had given me so much and what I could do in return. I remember asking myself a simple question: Why not me? I didn't immediately enlist. I finished my education and spent time thinking about what service would mean and how I could contribute. By the time I graduated, I was drawn to the Army's Special Forces. Their mission offered an opportunity to serve my country, challenge myself, and be part of a demanding team whose work required adaptability, initiative, and sound judgment. There were a few complications. I hated heights, and I hated needles. Becoming a Green Beret could mean jumping out of airplanes and potentially serving as a medic. But part of the appeal was confronting the things I feared and discovering what I was capable of. More than anything, I wanted to do something larger than myself. I spent time reflecting on America's history, its ideals, and its imperfections. I came to believe that no country is perfect, but that some things are worth standing up for, and that sometimes we have a responsibility to step forward and do our part. So I enlisted in the United States Army and went on to become a Special Forces soldier, earning the Green Beret. My military service included two tours in Afghanistan and a deployment to Honduras. Those experiences exposed me to different communities, cultures, and circumstances. They reinforced the importance of preparation, teamwork, personal responsibility, and looking after the people serving alongside you. They also taught me that leadership is not simply about having a plan. It is about adapting when circumstances change, making thoughtful decisions under pressure, and accepting responsibility for the outcome. My service deepened my appreciation for the institutions that allow people and communities to thrive: effective government, strong educational systems, and laws that protect individual rights and provide a framework for resolving problems. These institutions are not perfect, but they matter enormously to people's lives, and they require care, commitment, and accountability to work well. I carry these lessons into my work in the Massachusetts Legislature. Whether serving in uniform or representing my constituents, I believe the responsibility is fundamentally the same: listen, work with others, take the job seriously, and do your part to leave things better than you found them.