So you’re sitting on a plane (like I am now…) and someone inevitably asks you, “what do you do?”

How do you answer? (I did in my own way, but I’m curious about your answer)

Do you ‘wow’ them with your ROTC/USMA/LDAC exploits? Maybe some highlights from your last deployment?

Or do you take the opportunity to deliver an Army/ARNG/USAR message, and tell them about how your service has benefited you, and how (if applicable) could benefit them? Maybe what your service means to you and society as a whole?

Do you have something you use when talking to people about your service; a tool you can pull from your ruck at a moments notice? Or maybe an “idea” you have and simply wing it?

Is it important to have that “elevator briefing,” that 30 seconds-2 minutes to sell what you do, what it means to you, why it’s important, to some random stranger? If so, what points does yours hit? When do you bring it out?

Is it even important to have one?