--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I did a lot of humanitarian work before I…" description: "\"I did a lot of humanitarian work before I joined the military.\" — Eric Greitens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/eric-greitens-3611_before_i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before_635667.png" --- # I did a lot of humanitarian work before I joined the… ![“I did a lot of humanitarian work before I joined the military.” quote by Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/eric-greitens-3611_before_i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before_635667.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/eric-greitens-3611_before_i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before_635667.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/eric-greitens-3611_before_i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before_635667.png) > “I did a lot of humanitarian work before I joined the military.” [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humanitarian work precedes military service, showing a commitment to service across sectors. **In simple terms:** Humanitarian aid came before military duty. Key Takeaway Value diverse service experiences. Themes service humanitarianism military leadership Mood reflective inspirational Type biographical leadership When to use this quote - disaster relief - military recruitment - non‑profit leadership - policy advising Key Concepts ethics public service career development Questions to Reflect On - How does humanitarian experience shape military leadership? - What challenges arise when shifting service contexts? A Different Perspective Transitioning between sectors can create role conflicts or skill gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Before](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before/) [Humanitarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanitarian/) [Humanitarian Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanitarian-work-782679/) [Joined Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joined-military-1162698/) [Lot Humanitarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lot-humanitarian-5114209/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Joined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-joined-5114210/) ## Related quotes > [Before I became a SEAL, I'd done humanitarian work around the world - with refugee families in Bosnia, with unaccompanied children in Rwanda, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/before-i-became-a-seal-i-d-done-humanitarian-work-around-the-world/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [I am an actress, I earn money, I am well-known. I don't think it is altruism to become engaged in humanitarian work. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuelle-beart/i-am-an-actress-i-earn-money-i-am-well-known-i-don-t-think-it-is/) [Emmanuelle Beart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuelle-beart/) > [My humanitarian work evolved from being with my family. My mom, my dad, they really set a great example for giving back. My mom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-cora/my-humanitarian-work-evolved-from-being-with-my-family-my-mom-my-dad/) [Cat Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-cora/) > [The knighthood for my humanitarian work meant more than if it had been for my acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-moore/the-knighthood-for-my-humanitarian-work-meant-more-than-if-it-had/) [Roger Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-moore/) > [Being the hot star isn't the dream. But I can do more humanitarian work and effect more people on a larger scale. Not necessarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/being-the-hot-star-isn-t-the-dream-but-i-can-do-more-humanitarian/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [My experiences there truly defined who I am to this day as far as my humanitarian work because I was a refugee in Albania.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masiela-lusha/my-experiences-there-truly-defined-who-i-am-to-this-day-as-far-as-my/) [Masiela Lusha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masiela-lusha/) > [Originally, I wanted to do humanitarian work. I actually feel that getting into acting, which fate has led me to, is my window and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/originally-i-wanted-to-do-humanitarian-work-i-actually-feel-that/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I actually feel like I'm more capable now of doing humanitarian work because I'm financially able to make a difference. You have to sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-actually-feel-like-i-m-more-capable-now-of-doing-humanitarian-work/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I first started doing service, actually, as a kid, doing service projects. Later in college, I started doing international humanitarian work that brought me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/i-first-started-doing-service-actually-as-a-kid-doing-service/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [Humanitarian work is something I've felt from very young, and I'm going to do that for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-seedorf/humanitarian-work-is-something-i-ve-felt-from-very-young-and-i-m/) [Clarence Seedorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-seedorf/) > [There are many things I do where the centre of it is... It's almost more my humanitarian work than art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-jolie/there-are-many-things-i-do-where-the-centre-of-it-is-it-s-almost-more/) [Angelina Jolie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-jolie/) > [There's a great satisfaction in humanitarian work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/govinda/there-s-a-great-satisfaction-in-humanitarian-work/) [Govinda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/govinda/) > [“When I joined the military it was illegal to be homosexual, then it became optional, and now it's legal. I'm getting out before the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usmc-sgt-harry-berres/when-i-joined-the-military-it-was-illegal-to-be-homosexual-then-it/) [USMC Sgt. Harry Berres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usmc-sgt-harry-berres/) > [“Jamie used the time away from me to do some soul-searching. She finally also did something she’d thought about for a long time. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-galloway/jamie-used-the-time-away-from-me-to-do-some-soul-searching-she/) [Noah Galloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-galloway/) > [The whole essence of humanitarian work and the Geneva Convention is that neutral, impartial organisations can operate during war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurer/the-whole-essence-of-humanitarian-work-and-the-geneva-convention-is/) [Peter Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurer/) ## More by Eric Greitens > [If you want to start or grow a business in the state of Missouri and hire more people with good jobs, I will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/if-you-want-to-start-or-grow-a-business-in-the-state-of-missouri-and/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [To be very clear, I have completely ruled out state funding for stadiums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/to-be-very-clear-i-have-completely-ruled-out-state-funding-for/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [So Hell Week is considered to be the hardest week of the hardest military training in the world. It is a week of continuous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/so-hell-week-is-considered-to-be-the-hardest-week-of-the-hardest/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [People know if you care about them. How do you show people that you care? By caring for them. By putting their needs first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/people-know-if-you-care-about-them-how-do-you-show-people-that-you/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [Success means eliminating Al Qaeda's ability to launch terrorist attacks against the United States and our allies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/success-means-eliminating-al-qaeda-s-ability-to-launch-terrorist/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [God has a way of helping you to move through suffering and actually become stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/god-has-a-way-of-helping-you-to-move-through-suffering-and-actually/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [Yet the basic fact remains: we live in a world marked by violence, and if we want to protect others, we sometimes have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/yet-the-basic-fact-remains-we-live-in-a-world-marked-by-violence-and/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [When we make these decisions that we're going to commit ourselves to making a difference in the life of one person every single day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/when-we-make-these-decisions-that-we-re-going-to-commit-ourselves-to/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [“If you respected someone, then you had to ask something of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/if-you-respected-someone-then-you-had-to-ask-something-of-them/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [What happens for a lot of veterans when they come home, especially when they get back to their community is that they can go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/what-happens-for-a-lot-of-veterans-when-they-come-home-especially/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [Part of the attraction of the SEAL teams was the incredible tests that it offered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/part-of-the-attraction-of-the-seal-teams-was-the-incredible-tests/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [Teach your children early not to pass the blame or make excuses, but to take responsibility for their actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/teach-your-children-early-not-to-pass-the-blame-or-make-excuses-but/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [The mistake that I made was that I was engaged in a consensual relationship with a woman who was not my wife. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/the-mistake-that-i-made-was-that-i-was-engaged-in-a-consensual/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [I don't think that we need to raise tuition on our students. I don't think that our students should be made to pay for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/i-don-t-think-that-we-need-to-raise-tuition-on-our-students-i-don-t/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [If people can live through genocide and retain compassion, if they can take strength in pain, if they are able, still, to laugh, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/if-people-can-live-through-genocide-and-retain-compassion-if-they-can/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) [Explore all 126 Eric Greitens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) ## More Before quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. 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They're going to have to come to grips with a concept that they hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-wallop/there-aren-t-traditions-of-freedom-in-a-place-like-iraq-they-re-going/) [Malcolm Wallop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-wallop/) > [I don't like just traveling in for a short time. I've done that before, because sometimes you work for magazines and they have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sacco/i-don-t-like-just-traveling-in-for-a-short-time-i-ve-done-that-before/) [Joe Sacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sacco/) > [Music is almost like a therapy for me. It helps keep me centered and think straight. Before I discovered it, I was walking around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/music-is-almost-like-a-therapy-for-me-it-helps-keep-me-centered-and/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [My first company, Pure Software, was exciting and innovative in the first few years and bureaucratic and painful in the last few before it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reed-hastings/my-first-company-pure-software-was-exciting-and-innovative-in-the/) [Reed Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reed-hastings/) > [For the Russian masses, the proletarians, knew for certain, and already saw during the war, and in part before their very eyes, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-gorter/for-the-russian-masses-the-proletarians-knew-for-certain-and-already/) [Herman Gorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-gorter/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) [Joe Pitts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pitts/) > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Before I got addicted to comedy, I was seriously thinking about playing tennis full time. 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Now I think my limo driver hates me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-romano/you-know-before-i-would-think-my-cab-driver-hates-me-now-i-think-my/) [Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/) [Browse all 4,123 Before quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I did a lot of humanitarian work before I joined the military.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eric Greitens" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before-i-joined-the-military/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Before" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before-i-joined-the-military/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/eric-greitens-3611_before_i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before_635667.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/eric-greitens-3611_before_i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before_635667.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/eric-greitens-3611_before_i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before_635667.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I did a lot of humanitarian work before I joined the military.” — Eric Greitens", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Eric Greitens", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I did a lot of humanitarian...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before-i-joined-the-military/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/i-did-a-lot-of-humanitarian-work-before-i-joined-the-military/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```