Carrying forward the bonds and values of service

A former U.S. Army Captain from Framingham, Massachusetts, and co-president of the student-led Armed Forces Committee, Nils Olsen MPP/MBA 2026 reflects on the enduring bonds of military service and the broader meaning of Veterans Day. Drawing on nearly a decade in uniform, he shares how the values of accountability, connection, and care continue to shape his approach to leadership, citizenship, and public service—within and beyond the military.

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Is there a person or experience in your military journey that captures what Veterans Day represents to you personally?

We coordinated a video call with a few Vietnam veterans while in command of a company of about 130 soldiers in 2022. In November 1965, our unit and those men engaged in a gruesome battle called Operation Hump. Hearing their stories was profound. What was even more remarkable was how that shared experience forged relationships that endured 60 years later. There was such a level of connection, of fidelity, of brotherhood. They spoke about how, over the decades, they had continued to look after and take care of each other, through ups and downs. To me, that’s the power of what it means to be a veteran.

What does it mean to you to wear the uniform—not just on duty, but in how you live your values day to day?

To me, it comes down to accountability, which can be such a powerful force for bringing out the best in oneself. Putting on any professional uniform is a physical reminder of the standards to which you have committed (I’m sure doctors or professional athletes could relate to this sentiment). It’s a reminder of why doing your work well is important.

How has your understanding of service—and what it means to be a veteran—evolved since you first enlisted in the U.S. Army?

After leaving the military, I’ve changed my approach. I think we (the military and veteran community) should emphasize that service comes in lots of different sizes and forms—one not necessarily better than the other. You don’t have to be in the military or a public official to live a life committed to service—healthcare workers, teachers, coaches, librarians, even restaurant workers can use their time on the clock to be in service of others. Service of some is still better than service to one (or service to none), and I personally think that more citizens thinking beyond themselves makes for a better society.

How do you hope to carry the values that Veterans Day honors into your own future—in uniform and in public service?

I hope to model a habit of service, of checking in on people, like veterans tend to do for each other. As simple as holding open the door or asking how someone is (and actually listening to the response). These are habits central to life in the military, and I hope to help them spread beyond our ranks.

Images courtesy of Nils Olsen