Graduates from the Departments of Iowa and Ohio share what they learned from their week.
Whitney Smith McIntosh from the Department of Iowa and Gary Cox Jr. from the Department of Ohio are graduates of the 2024 National American Legion College class, held last month in Indianapolis at National Headquarters. Below they share their experiences and why other Legionnaires should attend.
“It has taken me four tries to author this article, mostly because National American Legion College (NALC) was such an experience that is hard to put into words. I fear my review will not do justice to the experience.
“I was asked why I wanted to attend the NALC. The simple answer was because I was asked to apply. One year after joining the Legion, I attended my Department (of Iowa) Midwinter Conference where I met Sam Johnson who invited me to apply. I researched what NALC was, what the application process was, and the requirements. I discerned that I was not qualified to attend NALC … yet. ‘Apply to and attend NALC’ became one of my goals.
“While NALC classes and lessons made me use my mind, the most life changing parts of NALC for me were the interactions, team projects and networking opportunities we were exposed to throughout the week. I became a better person, a better leader and a better Legionnaire because of the immersion into a group of with 52 other high speed no drag type A, high D current and future leaders of the Legion. The interactions gave me confidence and practice, and reinforced that I have the desire, knowledge and drive to become the leader the Legion needs.
“When I began the year long application process, I was asked by my mentor if I was ready to make at least a 10-year commitment to the Legion. He asked because NALC alumni are trained and expected to lead the Legion into the future. The NALC application, interview, classroom and post college process has given me the confidence to say yes, I will give the Legion my future just as I gave the country my life when I signed the dotted line and raised my right hand.
“I finally found my home. I finally found my people. I finally found my purpose and mission in the Legion.
“Regardless of position held or level served within the American Legion Family, I am and always will be a veteran and a fellow family member. I am forever grateful for being selected to join the protracted line of alumni that calls the Department of Iowa home and the legacy that Iowa Past National Commander and former NALC Chancellor David Rehbein has created. I am thankful for the confidence and trust the Legion has put in me and cannot wait to see where the NALC Class of 2024, the best class, takes the Legion.” – Whitney Smith McIntosh, adjutant of Post 682 in Altoona, Iowa.
“My firsthand account of NALC 2024 was in the beginning a bit overwhelming. I had spoken with several friends who had attended and got very little to small glimpses of what transpired. But as I understand now how NALC works, I will be doing the same thing for those that attend behind me.
“The one thing I want to say to anyone who is looking at attending, is to be open. There are a lot of different cultures, personalities, branches of service, even ranks that people attained while they were in and it doesn’t matter. What matters is to be open and listen to your fellow Legionnaires because it doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are, the goals are the same.
“Number one enjoy the week. Don’t get bogged with little things. The big picture is meeting people and making networks! The people matter, work as a team, more openness means less fighting internally. I felt I was in a group of some of the most experienced and inexperienced people I have ever been with and they were the greatest friends I could have asked for. We laughed, argued, held discussions, learned from each other and never once fought. It was a blast, and I hope to be able to return as a facilitator ‘tator’ one day. I think it would be awesome, and glad I choose to go.” – Gary Cox Jr., Department of Ohio second vice commander
- Dispatch