--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Military members understand that the…" description: "\"Military members understand that the focus is on completing the mission. We don't care if you are tall or short; have dark skin or pale skin or freckle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/ted-lieu-4499_dark-skin_military-members-understand-that-the-foc_646646.jpg" --- # Military members understand that the focus is on… ![“Military members understand that the focus is on completing the mission. We don't care if you are tall or short; have dark skin or pale skin or freckles; or are gay, straight, or transgender.” quote by Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/ted-lieu-4499_dark-skin_military-members-understand-that-the-foc_646646.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/ted-lieu-4499_dark-skin_military-members-understand-that-the-foc_646646.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/ted-lieu-4499_dark-skin_military-members-understand-that-the-foc_646646.jpg) > “Military members understand that the focus is on completing the mission. We don't care if you are tall or short; have dark skin or pale skin or freckles; or are gay, straight, or transgender.” [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mission success depends on ability, not physical traits or identity. **In simple terms:** Ability matters, not appearance or orientation. Key Takeaway Judge by competence, not characteristics. Themes inclusion merit teamwork Mood inspirational challenging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - military recruitment - team building - leadership training - policy making - workplace culture Key Concepts equality diversity performance Questions to Reflect On - How can teams value skill over similarity? - What barriers exist for inclusive meritocracy? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on identity can distract from skill development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dark skin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-skin/) [Don-t-care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-t-care/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Freckles Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freckles-gay-5180888/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [Members Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members-understand-4905611/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Military Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-members-2471955/) [Mission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mission/) [Pale skin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pale-skin/) [Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short/) [Straight Transgender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/straight-transgender-3396294/) ## Related quotes > [My overall message for labor members is... that we understand that the benefits of trade are clear, but the disruption and the dislocation are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-herman/my-overall-message-for-labor-members-is-that-we-understand-that-the/) [Alexis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-herman/) > [A lot of straight and transgender boys get in touch with me through my website and social media. They tell me I'm inspirational and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazz-jennings/a-lot-of-straight-and-transgender-boys-get-in-touch-with-me-through/) [Jazz Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazz-jennings/) > [Love doesn't care if you're gay, straight, or transgender. Your heart's gonna get broken. You're gonna turn into a crazy person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumer-willis/love-doesn-t-care-if-you-re-gay-straight-or-transgender-your-heart-s/) [Rumer Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumer-willis/) > [“And then around 5,000 years ago, another major wave of easterners arrive. The Yamnaya came from the Russian Steppes, driving sheep, riding wagons, making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rutherford/and-then-around-5-000-years-ago-another-major-wave-of-easterners/) [Adam Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rutherford/) > [It's true our military members have dedicated their lives to serving our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/it-s-true-our-military-members-have-dedicated-their-lives-to-serving/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Growing up, I had military members in my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-marchand/growing-up-i-had-military-members-in-my-family/) [Brad Marchand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-marchand/) > [I am committed to taking the concerns of our military members and their families directly to Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-johnson/i-am-committed-to-taking-the-concerns-of-our-military-members-and/) [Mike Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-johnson/) > [Our military members should be able to defend themselves here and abroad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tomi-lahren/our-military-members-should-be-able-to-defend-themselves-here-and/) [Tomi Lahren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tomi-lahren/) > [“Madeline stood before him in a gown of rich, emerald-green silk. The low-cut bodice did miraculous things for her bosom, and the vibrant color…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/madeline-stood-before-him-in-a-gown-of-rich-emerald-green-silk-the/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [I was aware that there weren't many make up brands that catered for women for extra pale skin so I feel proud that I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-roberts/i-was-aware-that-there-weren-t-many-make-up-brands-that-catered-for/) [Nicola Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-roberts/) > [People are incredibly literal sometimes in how they view you. You have dark hair and pale skin? You must be brooding. The second you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-paquin/people-are-incredibly-literal-sometimes-in-how-they-view-you-you-have/) [Anna Paquin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-paquin/) > [I get told I have a 'period' face quite often. Maybe it's the pale skin but I get a lot of pre-Forties posh roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-fox/i-get-told-i-have-a-period-face-quite-often-maybe-it-s-the-pale-skin/) [Phoebe Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-fox/) > [“lack, or loutish and crass kollective is a program dedicated to the proposition that vulgarity and bad taste are an inalienable right. the lackies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/lack-or-loutish-and-crass-kollective-is-a-program-dedicated-to-the/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [“I stayed indoors most of the time, which kept my skin very white. And my hair was as black as Ilana's. I wore black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-budnitz/i-stayed-indoors-most-of-the-time-which-kept-my-skin-very-white-and/) [Judy Budnitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-budnitz/) > [“ANGER: Eyebrows squeezed together, brows knitted, eyes squinty, pupils flared, lowered head, nostrils flared, looking upward through a scrunched brow, tight facial muscles, flat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-a-soule/anger-eyebrows-squeezed-together-brows-knitted-eyes-squinty-pupils/) [S.A. Soule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-a-soule/) ## More by Ted Lieu > [The United States represents hope, freedom and opportunities to those who are born here and to those who are not. Those values are part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/the-united-states-represents-hope-freedom-and-opportunities-to-those/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [In a nation as dynamic and diverse as the United States, what makes us great is that our founding principles are rooted in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/in-a-nation-as-dynamic-and-diverse-as-the-united-states-what-makes-us/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [You cannot have 300-some million Americans - and really, right, the global citizenry be at risk of having their phone conversations intercepted with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/you-cannot-have-300-some-million-americans-and-really-right-the/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [What you want in foreign policy is clear, well-defined goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/what-you-want-in-foreign-policy-is-clear-well-defined-goals/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Yes, I am not well-behaved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/yes-i-am-not-well-behaved/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [I am a supporter of Medicare for All.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/i-am-a-supporter-of-medicare-for-all/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Donald Trump himself actually said during his campaign that he essentially thinks being unpredictable is a good thing. Maybe that's a good thing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/donald-trump-himself-actually-said-during-his-campaign-that-he/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [By the time Congress is even authorized to act after the President has launched nuclear weapons, there may no longer be a civilized world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/by-the-time-congress-is-even-authorized-to-act-after-the-president/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Indeed, President Trump seems to have a pretty good idea how to enrich oneself at taxpayer expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/indeed-president-trump-seems-to-have-a-pretty-good-idea-how-to-enrich/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [We are not and will never be an authoritarian regime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/we-are-not-and-will-never-be-an-authoritarian-regime/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [It is important to show up. Showing up at marches and rallies and town halls and protests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/it-is-important-to-show-up-showing-up-at-marches-and-rallies-and-town/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [The suspicion that immigrants are not to be trusted or are unpatriotic is not just wrong; it is un-American. And dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/the-suspicion-that-immigrants-are-not-to-be-trusted-or-are/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [It is clear to me that creating a pathway for decryption only for good guys is technologically stupid. You just can't do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/it-is-clear-to-me-that-creating-a-pathway-for-decryption-only-for/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [When tragedy strikes, feeling helpless is understandable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/when-tragedy-strikes-feeling-helpless-is-understandable/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [If we turn our back on the world's most vulnerable people, we're eschewing the values our country was founded on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/if-we-turn-our-back-on-the-world-s-most-vulnerable-people-we-re/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) [Explore all 110 Ted Lieu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) ## More Dark skin quotes > [“He puts his arm around me, the lights dancing on his dark skin constantly skipping across to mine, planting a myriad of emotions into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppet/he-puts-his-arm-around-me-the-lights-dancing-on-his-dark-skin/) [Poppet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppet/) > [When I moved out here and people saw my name... I had a shaved head, dark skin, and a tattoo...You would be shocked at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-prinze-jr-2/when-i-moved-out-here-and-people-saw-my-name-i-had-a-shaved-head-dark/) [Freddie Prinze Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-prinze-jr-2/) > [Virtually all of Darfur's six million residents are Muslim, and, because of decades of intermarriage, almost everyone has dark skin and African features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/virtually-all-of-darfur-s-six-million-residents-are-muslim-and/) [Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/) > [Unfortunately, terror is now linked to immigration, and anyone with dark skin or a beard or a Muslim name is suspect. Russia, France, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-chidambaram/unfortunately-terror-is-now-linked-to-immigration-and-anyone-with/) [P. Chidambaram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-chidambaram/) > [I am an African-American woman of dark skin tone, and there are very specific roles that are usually given to African-American women of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lachanze/i-am-an-african-american-woman-of-dark-skin-tone-and-there-are-very/) [LaChanze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lachanze/) > [We shouldn't be discriminating against each other. The whole 'light skin versus dark skin' is an idea we need to break down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/we-shouldn-t-be-discriminating-against-each-other-the-whole-light/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [For black people who are really dark - and a lot of black people were averse to be dark skinned - it was believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-james-marshall/for-black-people-who-are-really-dark-and-a-lot-of-black-people-were/) [Kerry James Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-james-marshall/) > [The laughter in his deep-set black eyes, the feverish heat of his big hand around mine, the flash of his white teeth against his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/the-laughter-in-his-deep-set-black-eyes-the-feverish-heat-of-his-big/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [“Being that the \*historical\* Jesus was of pure Hebraic descent- lineage of Eber- He was not an Arab or of Arabic descent, therefore He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/being-that-the-historical-jesus-was-of-pure-hebraic-descent-lineage/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [I’m a black woman who is from Central Falls, Rhode Island. I’m dark skinned. I’m quirky. I’m shy. I’m strong. I’m guarded. I’m weak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/i-m-a-black-woman-who-is-from-central-falls-rhode-island-i-m-dark/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) > [“He looked up and I realised how close we were, both of us leaning in together. I blinked a few times, suddenly light-headed, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-anastasiu/he-looked-up-and-i-realised-how-close-we-were-both-of-us-leaning-in/) [Heather Anastasiu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-anastasiu/) > [“I wonder how anyone could think I’m too dark, when my skin is a declaration of how much the sun is in love with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-s-jones/i-wonder-how-anyone-could-think-i-m-too-dark-when-my-skin-is-a/) [I.S. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-s-jones/) > [“He looked back at the stairs. The man he had stabbed wasn’t moving. His dark skin had taken on the gray pallor of death,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-warren/he-looked-back-at-the-stairs-the-man-he-had-stabbed-wasn-t-moving-his/) [Andrew Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-warren/) > [“Our arithmetic textbooks, which contained problems about speeding trains and leaky cisterns, should rightfully have included the following: how many tins of Cuticura talcum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-k-meena/our-arithmetic-textbooks-which-contained-problems-about-speeding/) [C.K. Meena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-k-meena/) > [“On any woman, the shine was brilliant. But, in contrast to their dark skin, it truly was the Milky Way of watches.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holliday-vann/on-any-woman-the-shine-was-brilliant-but-in-contrast-to-their-dark/) [Holliday Vann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holliday-vann/) [Browse all 119 Dark skin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-skin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Military members understand that the focus is on completing the mission. 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