In honor of Veterans Day this year, we asked HKS students who serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces: How has your military experience shaped your understanding of and connection to public service?
Here is what they shared with us.
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Daniel Elkins MC/MPA 2025
Former U.S. Army Green Beret
“My experiences in the Special Operations Forces community shaped how I view public service and how individual actions matter. I've learned leadership is more than just making decisions—it's being an active listener and building trust across different perspectives, often under extreme stress. My time in Afghanistan and Ukraine gave me a first-hand look at how policy decisions affect people’s lives on the ground. These experiences have driven me to connect operations with policymakers based on a belief that the ground truth matters. It's a commitment that responds to the Harvard Kennedy School mission, ‘Ask what you can do.’”
Nick Fisher MC/MPA 2025
U.S. Army Blackhawk Pilot
“My military experience has taught me the importance of resilience, accountability, and teamwork in public service. Serving alongside diverse individuals from all walks of life showed me that effective service relies on collaboration and respect for different perspectives. This foundation shapes my approach to public service, emphasizing integrity, empathy, and a commitment to serving the greater good with a sense of shared responsibility and purpose.”
Junaid Lughmani MPA 2026
U.S. Army Veteran
“My path to the military began unexpectedly—first as a civilian Pashto interpreter embedded with troops in Afghanistan, then as a soldier taking the oath. Reflecting on my service, I am struck by how far we have drifted as Americans and how we must find our way back to the light. That light starts with 'We the People' in the Preamble of the Constitution, grounding us in liberty and unity, with a government by and for the people. By holding fast to these ideals, we can restore unity that brings purpose to our democracy and resilience to our nation.”
Nick Maynes MPA 2025
Former U.S. Army Captain
“I always knew I would serve in the military; both my grandfathers and uncles served before me. Their legacy instilled in me a deep sense of duty and commitment to public service. My military experience taught me the power of leadership and teamwork in overcoming immense challenges. This has inspired me to pursue endeavors that support fellow veterans and address national security issues through education and entrepreneurship.”
Nate Powell MPP 2026
U.S. Army Captain
“My U.S. Army service taught me the power of people-centric leadership and mission-driven teamwork. As I step into civilian public service, I carry with me a deep respect for the culture-building and trust needed to forge teams that can overcome any challenge. Working alongside NATO allies and partners, I learned firsthand how cross-cultural bonds strengthen our collective resilience and sharpen our effectiveness. I’m grateful for those with whom I served and am excited to bring the drive they inspired in me to this next chapter of public leadership.”
This post was originally published on the Student Stories webpage.
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