Leadership Means Never Stopping the Learning

The Department of Washington Mid-Winter Conference opened with a message that carried through every session, every conversation, and every setting.

Leadership does not come with a finish line.

Learning does not stop with experience.

Growth is a responsibility.

Day one was dedicated entirely to training, and the impact was immediate. From first-time attendees to seasoned Past State Commanders, Comrades shared the same takeaway. They learned something new. They left sharper, more confident, and better prepared to lead.

That matters.

Training is not about correcting shortcomings. It is about strengthening leaders. It reinforces standards, sharpens judgment, and prepares us for the work ahead rather than the work already done.

That theme was set clearly during the joint opening session.

Joshua Schreck, National Parliamentarian, State Chief-of-Staff, and Past Judge Advocate General, spoke directly about lifelong learning and the responsibility leaders have to mentor our “young” rather than “eating our young.” Experience, when used well, should guide others forward and create space for growth.

That message was reinforced by BG Escandon, Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army I Corps, who emphasized that leadership at every level requires humility and a willingness to keep learning, especially when learning becomes uncomfortable. Growth often does.

Different roles.

Same lesson.

We also heard from David Puente, Director of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, who provided an update on the work happening within his office. His remarks served as a practical reminder that learning is not theoretical. Policies evolve. Systems change. Services improve only when leaders stay informed and engaged.

For those serving veterans, learning is a daily responsibility. Staying current is part of serving well.

Beyond the formal sessions, the same theme surfaced in conversations and connections throughout the conference. Time spent with fellow leaders reinforced how important mentorship and relationships are in shaping strong organizations. Leadership is learned as much through example as it is through instruction.

That message carried forward clearly at the youth banquet.

Without coordination, the same lesson surfaced again.

Joe Handke, Garrison Commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, spoke directly to the Voice of Democracy District winners about lessons learned, persistence, and the importance of continuing to learn when challenges

Alongside him, Brian Walker, Assistant Adjutant General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, reinforced that learning and mentorship matter most when leadership becomes difficult, not when it is easy.

The message to our youth was clear and consistent.

Learning does not stop when things get hard.

That is often when it matters most.

What stood out over the course of the conference was not a single speech or session, but the consistency of this message across every setting. Leadership means never stopping the learning. It means mentoring rather than discouraging. It means using experience to open doors, not close them.

Watching the Voice of Democracy District winners engage with that message was a powerful reminder of what is at stake. These young leaders are not just participants in a program. They represent future voices, thinkers, and advocates our nation will rely ü

Our responsibility as leaders is not simply to teach them what we know, but to show them how to keep learning when answers are not easy and the path is not clear. Growth rarely happens in comfort. It happens when curiosity is encouraged, effort is recognized, and perseverance is modeled.

If we want strong leadership tomorrow, we must invest in learning today. We must mentor our youth, challenge them thoughtfully, and give them space to grow without fear of failure. That is how organizations remain strong. That is how legacies are built.

The future of the VFW, and of our nation, depends on leaders who never stop learning and who are willing to lift others as they climb.

That responsibility is ours.