--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the great things about being…" description: "\"One of the great things about being commander in chief is getting to know our men and women in uniform in a very intimate way, whether it's visiting Wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/barack-obama-17_always-thinking_one-of-the-great-things-about-being-comm_2736815.jpg" --- # One of the great things about being commander in chief is… ![“One of the great things about being commander in chief is getting to know our men and women in uniform in a very intimate way, whether it's visiting Walter Reed and seeing our wounded soldiers, or being on a base and talking to families, or interacting with them on missions. They're the best of…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/barack-obama-17_always-thinking_one-of-the-great-things-about-being-comm_2736815.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/barack-obama-17_always-thinking_one-of-the-great-things-about-being-comm_2736815.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/barack-obama-17_always-thinking_one-of-the-great-things-about-being-comm_2736815.jpg) > “One of the great things about being commander in chief is getting to know our men and women in uniform in a very intimate way, whether it's visiting Walter Reed and seeing our wounded soldiers, or being on a base and talking to families, or interacting with them on missions. They're the best of the best: always thinking about the mission, not thinking about credit, not thinking about who's up front.” [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership involves direct engagement with service members and families, fostering empathy and insight into their sacrifices. **In simple terms:** Leaders should meet troops and families. Key Takeaway Engage personally to understand those you lead. Themes leadership military service empathy public service Mood inspirational respectful Type political reflective When to use this quote - presidential duties - military visits - family outreach Key Concepts civic duty human connection military culture Questions to Reflect On - How does personal contact influence policy decisions? - What limits exist in such engagements? A Different Perspective Personal interaction cannot solve all systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-thinking/) [Best of the best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-of-the-best/) [Chiefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) [Commander in chief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commander-in-chief/) [Commanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commanders/) [Credit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credit/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Great things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-things/) [Intimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimate/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Uniform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uniform/) [Wounded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounded/) [Wounded soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounded-soldier/) ## Related quotes > [I went to Walter Reed hospital a couple of times to visit wounded soldiers, kids with no legs and one arm. You start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-daniels/i-went-to-walter-reed-hospital-a-couple-of-times-to-visit-wounded/) [Jeff Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-daniels/) > [You want to be commander-in-chief? You can start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/you-want-to-be-commander-in-chief-you-can-start-by-standing-up-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I am the commander in chief of the United States armed forces, and Iraq is gonna have to ultimately provide for its own security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-am-the-commander-in-chief-of-the-united-states-armed-forces-and/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [My first job as commander in chief is to keep the American people safe, and that's what we've done over the last 4 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-first-job-as-commander-in-chief-is-to-keep-the-american-people/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [My first job as commander in chief is to keep the American people safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-first-job-as-commander-in-chief-is-to-keep-the-american-people-safe/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [As Commander in Chief, I will maintain the strongest military in the world, keep faith with our troops and go after those who would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-commander-in-chief-i-will-maintain-the-strongest-military-in-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So long as I'm Commander-in-Chief, we will sustain the strongest military the world has ever known. When you take off the uniform, we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-long-as-i-m-commander-in-chief-we-will-sustain-the-strongest/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [One thing Ive learned as commander in chief: Youve got to be clear, both to our allies & our enemies, about where you stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/one-thing-ive-learned-as-commander-in-chief-youve-got-to-be-clear/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ And so you \[young Americans\]need to be the Idea Generation. The generation who's always thinking on the cutting edge, who's wondering how to create… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/and-so-you-young-americans-need-to-be-the-idea-generation-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I was injured by an enemy hand grenade in Afghanistan in 2010. I spent three years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-carpenter/i-was-injured-by-an-enemy-hand-grenade-in-afghanistan-in-2010-i-spent/) [Kyle Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-carpenter/) > [As I recovered at Walter Reed, I worried about the soldiers who pulled me out of my helicopter that Friday afternoon. Would they make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-duckworth/as-i-recovered-at-walter-reed-i-worried-about-the-soldiers-who-pulled/) [Tammy Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-duckworth/) > [I had met many wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center when I was researching my 2009 novel 'The Turnaround,' and I continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pelecanos/i-had-met-many-wounded-veterans-at-walter-reed-army-medical-center/) [George Pelecanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-pelecanos/) > [“After spending a couple months at Walter Reed, Kristi told a Washington Post reporter that, if someone had to get injured, she was glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-linker/after-spending-a-couple-months-at-walter-reed-kristi-told-a/) [Beth Linker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-linker/) > [As far as me being inspirational to other combat-wounded guys, I would say that it's the opposite. To see guys at Walter Reed that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-carpenter/as-far-as-me-being-inspirational-to-other-combat-wounded-guys-i-would/) [Kyle Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-carpenter/) > [I said three things when I woke up in Walter Reed. 'I love you.' 'Put me to work,' and 'You stink! Go shower!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-duckworth/i-said-three-things-when-i-woke-up-in-walter-reed-i-love-you-put-me/) [Tammy Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-duckworth/) ## More by Barack Obama > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What we've said to the girls is: 'If you guys ever decide that you're going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-we-ve-said-to-the-girls-is-if-you-guys-ever-decide-that-you-re/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The world is complicated and full of grays, but there's still truth there to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-world-is-complicated-and-full-of-grays-but-there-s-still-truth/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We had a farewell dinner for some of my senior staff, and generally everybody likes to talk about how cool I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-had-a-farewell-dinner-for-some-of-my-senior-staff-and-generally/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ It's good to get fresh legs in \[the White house\]. I think that it refreshes our democracy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-good-to-get-fresh-legs-in-the-white-house-i-think-that-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Explore all 3,624 Barack Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More Always thinking quotes > [You're always thinking, "What does that add up to?" You can't really get a handle on it. I was curious. I felt like it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hell/you-re-always-thinking-what-does-that-add-up-to-you-can-t-really-get/) [Richard Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hell/) > [I am not a finisher, I am a starter. And I am always thinking, what is the next project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-eisenman/i-am-not-a-finisher-i-am-a-starter-and-i-am-always-thinking-what-is/) [Peter Eisenman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-eisenman/) > [I think it's important to know what you're going to do with the ball before it comes to you. So you're always thinking before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-van-der-vaart/i-think-it-s-important-to-know-what-you-re-going-to-do-with-the-ball/) [Rafael van der Vaart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-van-der-vaart/) > [People who are always thinking of the feelings of others can be very destructive because they are hiding so much from themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/people-who-are-always-thinking-of-the-feelings-of-others-can-be-very/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [I am always thinking 'What am I doing here? Is this the way I am supposed to feel?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-am-always-thinking-what-am-i-doing-here-is-this-the-way-i-am/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [I'm always thinking about that young girl or young boy who doesn't quite know if their music, their messaging, their imaging, their voice is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-m-always-thinking-about-that-young-girl-or-young-boy-who-doesn-t/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [We're trying, despite having done research and having obviously preconceived ideas, we try our best to be as open-hearted as possible, and try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-page/we-re-trying-despite-having-done-research-and-having-obviously/) [Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-page/) > [I'm always thinking of ideas and sounds. I am waiting on something new and dope to inspire me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-ink/i-m-always-thinking-of-ideas-and-sounds-i-am-waiting-on-something-new/) [Kid Ink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-ink/) > [I want to feel like the things I did made a difference. That's one of the reasons I spend time greeting people on rope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/i-want-to-feel-like-the-things-i-did-made-a-difference-that-s-one-of/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [Successful people are always thinking about what they can do to move to the next level. Initiative is the drive to do it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bartiromo/successful-people-are-always-thinking-about-what-they-can-do-to-move/) [Maria Bartiromo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bartiromo/) > [Meditation is one of the rare occasions when we're not doing anything. Otherwise, we're always doing something, we're always thinking something, we're always occupied.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-rinpoche/meditation-is-one-of-the-rare-occasions-when-we-re-not-doing-anything/) [Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-rinpoche/) > [The only reason why we are always thinking of our own ego is that we have to live with it more continuously than with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/the-only-reason-why-we-are-always-thinking-of-our-own-ego-is-that-we/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [I'm not a nosy person, but I'm always thinking 'I wonder why he did that? I wonder why this week he was this much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-douglas/i-m-not-a-nosy-person-but-i-m-always-thinking-i-wonder-why-he-did/) [Jill Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-douglas/) > [Fiction writing is a twenty-four-hou r-a-day occupation. You never leave your work behind. It is always with you, and to some extent, you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-brooks/fiction-writing-is-a-twenty-four-hou-r-a-day-occupation-you-never/) [Terry Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-brooks/) > [I tend to write about love because I'm always thinking about it. I think a lot though and struggle with overanalyzing. Way over. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-hervey/i-tend-to-write-about-love-because-i-m-always-thinking-about-it-i/) [Jillian Hervey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-hervey/) [Browse all 94 Always thinking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-thinking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the great things about being commander in chief is getting to know our men and women in uniform in a very intimate way, whether it's visiting Walter Reed and seeing our wounded soldiers, or being on a base and talking to families, or interacting with them on missions. 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