Harvard Kennedy School has launched a new program to provide full scholarships for at least 50 American public servants and military veterans.
For Luke Bienstock MPP 2027, service has always been a calling—first in the U.S. Navy, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant, and now at Harvard Kennedy School, where he’s pursuing a Master in Public Policy (MPP). Motivated by the events of 9/11 and driven by a commitment to community and country, Luke reflects on the lessons of leadership, purpose, and service that continue to shape his path, shares how his military experience informs his approach to policymaking—and how he hopes to carry the values of selflessness and civic duty in his life beyond the uniform.
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What’s your hometown and current rank?
I’m from Greenwich, Connecticut, and I left the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant (O-3).
What led you to join the U.S. Navy, and what motivated you to enroll in the MPP Program?
Growing up in the New York metropolitan area, I was impacted by the 9/11 attacks. My earliest childhood memory was seeing a dark plume blanket the New York City skyline over Long Island Sound—I had friends who lost their parents that day. I joined the Navy because I wanted to be part of a community committed to something greater than itself, in defense of our nation. And I enrolled in the MPP Program because I wanted to better prepare myself to continue serving out of uniform. The HKS community attracted me because of its shared values and dedication to make an impact in global policy. I hope to follow the path of HKS alumni who are making meaningful contributions to the world.
When you reflect on Veterans Day, what stands out most to you personally—as someone balancing the perspective of a military officer and an MPP student?
While Veterans Day officially honors those who have served in the U.S. military, it should also remind society of the importance of service more generally. Being at HKS has exposed me to the abundance of opportunities to serve others in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In each of our lives, whether through our profession or as a volunteer, there are ways we can positively impact communities that matter to us.
“On Veterans Day, I am reminded to follow the example of selfless service set by other service members I was fortunate to serve alongside in all aspects of my life.”
Luke Bienstock MPP 2027
Your academic and professional path bridges service and policymaking. How has your experience in the Navy shaped the way you think about leadership, citizenship, and national service?
The Navy instilled in me a sense of servant leadership. As an officer, my duty was to ensure the wellbeing of my Sailors and enable them to accomplish the mission. By prioritizing their needs, I could achieve the objectives assigned to me most effectively—and they developed personally and professionally, too, which was one of my greatest sources of accomplishment. We need to adopt the idea of servant leadership in a time of political polarization and find a unifying national purpose by serving one another.
Is there a mentor from your service that captures what Veterans Day represents to you—a story or lesson that continues to guide how you lead and serve?
I had the privilege of working for Rear Admiral Ryan Perry in the Navy Office of Information. He is an incredible leader because of the concern he shows for the people he leads. He was the head of Navy Public Affairs, and I first met him in San Diego two years before serving under him at the Pentagon. During our first meeting in Washington, D.C., he referenced a detail about my partner that I had forgotten I shared with him years ago. Someone of his rank remembering a level of personal detail, to me, demonstrated he was a leader who cared deeply for his Sailors. It was a moment that motivated my dedication to him as a leader—I hope to have that level of personal impact on those around me.
As a future policymaker, how do you hope to carry forward the values that Veterans Day honors—in your career, your community, and your approach to public service?
I hope to follow a path that prioritizes others over myself. It can be challenging to separate personal interests from what is best for the group, but this is the standard leaders must uphold. On Veterans Day, I am reminded to follow the example of selfless service set by other service members I was fortunate to serve alongside in all aspects of my life.
Images courtesy of Luke Bienstock
American Service Fellowship
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