By Kenneth A. Stewart

An NPS student, right, asks retired U.S. Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, center, a question during a unique Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture that featured a guided conversation between McChrystal and Defense Analysis (DA) Professor John Arquilla, left, in King Auditorium, July 14. McChrystal shared highlights from his famed military career and called for greater American service, resolve and citizenship.

Throughout the conversation, McChrystal offered a series of snapshots from his past, sharing what Arquilla called his "origin story."

"I went to West Point like I was going through a turnstile on a toll road," said McChrystal. "I thought I was going to give them a high-five and a quarter and move on."

After learning what he noted were critical lessons during his West Point education, McChrystal was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He went on to serve for 34 years, culminating in the command of U.S. and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

Since retiring, McChrystal has written two books, his memoir, "My Share of the Task," and his latest book, "Team of Teams: New Rules for Engagement for a Complex World," where he draws upon lessons learned throughout his military career in relation to the business environment.

McChrystal also teaches leadership at Yale and is active in the Franklin Project, which advocates for a year of mandatory national service for young adults in order to create common opportunity and to foster civic responsibility.

"American credibility, sense of resolve and sense of ability … are not what it once was. It's going to have to be rebuilt and its not going to be rebuilt by a speech or a paper. It's going to be rebuilt by patient long-term action," said McChrystal.

McChrystal also spoke about the importance of human capital and empathy, arguing that it is critically important to know people and to understand the background and information that they are relying upon to make decisions.

"The moment you think, 'they just don't get it,' you are really in trouble," he said.