The weight of leadership isn’t always measured by medals but by the moments of selfless dedication that uplift entire organizations.
For accomplished Brigade Commander Cedric Lee ‘96, those moments began long before he wore military fatigues. They started in the hallways of the school, where character is learned through challenge.
Here, Lee says values like courage and honor aren’t just engraved on the walls. They are lived experiences on the field, in the classroom and among friends. He recalls the teachers, coaches and teammates who led not only by instruction, but by example.
“Whether it was Coach Ortega, Señora Lavi or Ms. Barta in science, they all taught us more than just the curriculum,” Lee said. “They modeled the way you treat people, how you lead and how you carry yourself.”
Down the road, Lee created lifelong friendships. His relationship with fellow Marksman John Myrie ‘96, beginning in the fifth grade, has lasted for years.
“We grew up exploring what it means to be a man,” Lee said. “Choosing the harder right over the easier wrong and making mistakes but growing together.”
With a grandfather who was a general in the Korean Army and a father who served in the Korean Air Force, service to the nation is in Lee’s Blood.
The early lessons in character from his role models became the foundation of Lee’s leadership as a brigade commander. In an environment where lives depend on trust and unity, he believes setting an example starts at the top.
“Everybody within your organization takes on the persona of the culture the leader creates,” Lee said. “If leadership doesn’t live by the virtues we claim to uphold, that absence will permeate through the entire organization.”
For future Marksmen considering military service, Lee offers simple yet earnest advice.
“Serve with a genuine heart,” Lee said. “If you make it about yourself, your own selfish desires, not only are you doing the organization a disservice, you’re doing the nation a disservice.”
While the award may symbolize achievement, Lee sees it as a reminder of something much deeper: the importance of leading with integrity and giving back to the communities that shape us.
His message to the younger generation is clear — greatness isn’t about glory or fame.
It’s about grit, gratitude and growing into a leader others can trust and create memories with.