Eric Greitens

Eric Greitens
Personal details
Born Eric Robert Greitens
(1974-04-10) April 10, 1974
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Sheena Elise Chestnut (m. 2011)
Children 1
Alma mater Duke University (B.S.)
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford (M.S., D.Phil.)
Awards Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Website Official website
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Navy
Years of service 2001–present
Rank Lieutenant commander
Commands Joint Special Operations Task Unit
Mark V Special Operations Craft Detachment
Al Qaeda Targeting Cell

Eric Robert Greitens (born April 10, 1974) is an American politician and author. He is one of four 2016 Republican candidates for Governor of Missouri.[1] Greitens is the former Chairman and CEO of The Mission Continues, a nonprofit organization for veterans.[2] In 2013, Time Magazine listed him twelfth on its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World,[3] and in 2014 Fortune Magazine listed him as one of the world's 50 greatest leaders.[4]

Early life and education

Greitens was born on April 10, 1974 in St. Louis, Missouri.[5]

Greitens attended Parkway North High School[6] and was named a member of the 1995 USA Today All-USA Academic Team. Greitens was an Angier B. Duke Scholar[7] at Duke University where he studied ethics, philosophy, and public policy. After graduating in 1996, he was selected as a Rhodes[8][9] and Truman Scholar.[10] Greitens attended Lady Margaret Hall, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, where he earned a master's degree in development studies in 1998.[11] in politics in 2000. Some of his photographs appear in the publication Children in War: Community Strategies for Healing.[12]

Greitens is a Senior Fellow at the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri.[13] In the past, Greitens has taught classes at both the University of Missouri in Columbia and at Washington University in St. Louis.

Armed services

Greitens attended Naval Officer Candidate School in January 2001,[14][15] after graduating from Oxford. He began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)[16][17] and graduated with Class 237 in Coronado, California, in February 2002.[18] Greitens is currently a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Reserve, and he was deployed four times to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Southeast Asia. He served as the commander of a joint special operations task unit, commander of a Mark V Special Operations Craft detachment,[19] and as commander of an al Qaeda targeting cell.[20] His personal military awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star.

Career

White House Fellowship

In 2005, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a White House Fellow.[21] As a White House Fellow, Greitens worked in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)[22] and developed a new program to assist with the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. The program, called the Universities Rebuilding America Partnership (URAP),[23] was a $5.6 million effort to engage architecture and engineering students in the continued effort to rebuild New Orleans. During his time as a White House Fellow, he also co-founded the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Program.[24]

The Mission Continues

After returning from Iraq, Greitens used his combat pay and the disability pay of two friends to start The Mission Continues. The mission of the organization is to "challenge veterans to serve and lead in communities across America."[25]

The Mission Continues encourages veterans to heal themselves through public service by engaging in volunteer organizations across the country.[26][27] In 2014 the organization won the CLASSY Award, recognizing its effectiveness in active-duty and veteran services.[28] Greitens stepped down as CEO in July 2014. He continues to serve on the board of directors.[29][30][31][32]

Author

Strength and Compassion is a collection of photographs and essays by Greitens. Published in 2008,[33] it is Greitens' first book, with a foreword by Rwandan humanitarian Paul Rusesabagina and an introduction by Bobby Muller, co-founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.[34]

Greitens' second book, The Heart and the Fist: The Education of a Humanitarian, the Making of a Navy SEAL, was published on April 11, 2011, by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.[35][36] The Heart and the Fist is Greitens' memoir of service, featuring stories of his humanitarian work, his training as a naval officer and SEAL and the military experiences that led him to adopt the paradoxical philosophy that you have to be strong to do good, but you also have to do good to be strong. Kirkus Review said of The Heart and the Fist: "Clear-eyed account of a youth devoted to service as a warrior and a humanitarian."[37] The book became a New York Times bestseller[38][39] and debuted on The St. Louis Independent Bookstore Alliance Best Sellers list at No. 1 for the week of April 17, 2011.[40] The following year, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also released a young adult edition of The Heart and the Fist titled The Warrior's Heart.[41]

In March 2015, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt released Greitens' book Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life. It draws on letters Greitens wrote to a fellow SEAL struggling with PTSD.[42][43]

Publicity as a SEAL

In February 2016 an anonymous video was released on YouTube accusing Eric Greitens of greatly exaggerating his military record.[44] The following Day Greitens released a counter video in efforts to refute the claims of the accusational video.[45] He believes the SEALs behind it were disgraced former SEALs kicked out for drug abuse.[46] He also claimed the video was made by a political opponent as he is running for governor of Missouri.[47]

Other SEAL veterans have argued the opposite though, including Mr. Greitens.[48] Mr. Greitens believes that, “The more successful Navy SEALs there are, the more glory it reflects on the community and the better it is for our country.” [49]

Politics

On September 26, 2015, Greitens officially announced his candidacy for Governor of the State of Missouri[50] as a Republican.[51]

In 2010 he was courted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and considered running as a Democrat against Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, a Republican from mid-Missouri.[52][53]

His platform is pro-life, and supports the Second Amendment.[54] He has previously discussed climate change from a military and humanitarian perspective.[55] He attributes the creation of the United Nations, NATO, and Marshall Plan as one of the most successful American foreign policies of the last 100 years.[56] He has stated when asked why he wanted to be governor: "I want to be governor of Missouri because I love Missouri...and I know that with conservative leadership we can turn Missouri around.[57] His campaign recently volunteered to help in the flood cleanup in Missouri.[58]

Despite an op-ed hosted on Fox News called appropriately "Former Navy SEAL: Why I am no longer a Democrat", he has still received criticism from conservatives.[59] In the piece, he stated, "I was raised as a Democrat. I was taught that Harry Truman was the greatest president ever because he was strong, stood up to the communists, and most important, he was from Missouri. I was taught to stand up for the little guy, and that bigger government was the best way to do that. I registered to vote as a Democrat, and several years ago some Democrats even tried to recruit me to run for Congress.There was one rather large problem. As I got older, I no longer believed in their ideas."[59] On the McGraw Show, a radio news talk show, when asked why he was running as a Republican when some thought he would run as a Democrat, he replied, "I'm not a Republican by birth but by conviction. Because of the things that I've done, and the things that I believe."[57] When asked why he wanted to be governor, he stated, "I want to be governor of Missouri because I love Missouri...and I know that with conservative leadership we can turn Missouri around.[57] He goes on to explain seeing the VA's perceived mistreatment of veterans, his belief in the U.S. Constitution, free enterprise system, over taxation hurts the middle class, that he pro-life, pro second amendment, and that he feels he needs to "take on career politicians."[57] Eric Farris of the Eric Farris Show has said, “Nothing about this guy’s background knowing that he’s running for the 2016 nomination as a Republican makes any sense considering that everything about his background until just a couple of years ago is all Democratic, all liberal policies, and etc. I mean, this guy looks like he’s from the opportunistic party is what it looks like to me.”[60] Conservative radio talk show host Dana Loesch on The Dana Show has said, "He was recruited by the DCCC. He had met with them in 2010. He was going to run against Blaine Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Missouri. He was working with Democrats even then. So it is not unheard of, and we’ve seen it happen in other states. Where you have the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recruit people and they’ll run them as Republicans."[61] He endorsed Democratic Mayor Slay of St. Louis, Missouri, as recently as 2013.[62]

A conservative SuperPAC called Patriots for America has also criticized Eric Greitens for not being sufficiently conservative. This led to a controversy over a recorded and leaked phone call between Greitens and fellow gubernatorial candidate John Brunner where Greitens calls the former Marine "a 'weasel,' 'coward,' 'corrupt' and a liar."[63][64] Greitens blamed him for attack ads produced by Patriots for America, because it is run by a former Brunner staffer.[65][66][67] Despite controversies surrounding his political past, he has raised more money than any other Republican candidate.[68][69] He has received one million dollars in donations from the Michael L Goguen Trust in Menlo Park, California which is his biggest donor.[70]

Honors & Awards

In 2014, Fortune Magazine featured Greitens as one of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders.[71] On April 18, 2013, Time magazine named Greitens to its 2013 one hundred Most Influential People in the World.[3]

On May 20, 2012, Greitens was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Tufts University when he gave the commencement speech at the school's 156th commencement.[72] That same year, Greitens received the Bronfman Prize, which recognizes dynamic leaders whose innovation and impact serve as inspiration for the next generations.[73]

In June 2010, Major League Baseball and People Magazine announced Greitens as a winner in People Magazine's All-Stars Among Us competition. He was selected to represent the city of St. Louis and the Cardinals at the 2010 All-Star Game in Anaheim, California.[74][75]

On October 3, 2008, President George W. Bush personally awarded Greitens the President's Volunteer Service Award outside Air Force One at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Missouri, for his work at The Mission Continues.[76]

Greitens is an accomplished marathon runner who has also won gold medals in taekwondo and boxing.[77] Greitens was honored with the HOOAH Award, commissioned by the Major George A. Smith Memorial Fund in 2009.[78] Greitens was named the 2010 Reader of the Year by Outside magazine.[79]

Greitens has appeared on NBC Nightly News,[80] the Today Show,[81] the Colbert Report,[82] and The Daily Show.

Personal life

Greitens second marriage is to Sheena (née Chestnut) Greitens on August 7, 2011 in Spokane, Washington.[5] They live in St. Louis, Missouri, with their son.[83][84]

Publications

References

  1. ↑ "Politically Speaking: Eric Greitens on his latest mission to become Missouri's next governor". St. Louis Public Radio.
  2. ↑ "Daily show hosts Missouri governor hopeful Eric Greitens". Riverfront Times.
  3. 1 2 Mullen, Mike The 2013 TIME 100 TIME. February 18, 2015
  4. ↑ "The Great Jewish Hope". Washington Free Beacon.
  5. 1 2 Sheena Chestnut, Eric Greitens, The New York Times, August 5, 2011
  6. ↑ "Home of the Parkway Alumni Association". parkwayalumni.org.
  7. ↑ "abduke.org".
  8. ↑ 32 Are Named Rhodes Scholars AP National Desk , Dec 11, 1995
  9. ↑ "Oh, Four Oh Four". dukechronicle.com.http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150929195158/http://www.dukechronicle.com/node/107778
  10. ↑ Meet Our Scholars, 1995 Truman Scholars http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150930060152/http://www.truman.gov/meet-our-scholars?Year=1995
  11. ↑ "Annual reports" (PDF).
  12. ↑ Children in War: Community Strategies for Healing (PDF).
  13. ↑ Archived March 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  15. ↑ Asfar, Roy (2011-04-01). "Eric Greitens | Veterans Advantage - Military Discounts, Veteran Discounts, Benefits". Veterans Advantage. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  16. ↑ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. pp. 143–145. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  17. ↑ Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  19. ↑ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. p. 235. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  20. ↑ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. p. 271. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  21. ↑ "White House Fellows: Class of 2005-2006" Online Article. The White House. 16 Jul 2008 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/fellows/alumni/2005-06.html>.
  22. ↑ Hinman, Kristen. "Captain America." Riverfront Times 09 APR 2008 10. 15 APR 2008 <http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2008-04-09/news/navy-seal-eric-greitens-has-come-home-to-st-louis-to-help-fellow-iraq-vets/>
  23. ↑ "Volume 3 Number 5: Universities Rebuilding America." PD&R Periodicals: Research Works. 01 MAY 2006. PD&R Periodicals. 27 Apr 2008 < http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150927212811/http://www.huduser.org/periodicals/ResearchWorks/may_06/RW_vol3num5t1.html>.
  24. ↑ The Truman School of Public Affairs. February 20, 2015.
  25. ↑ Archived May 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ↑ Klein, Joe Clay Hunt’s Legacy for Veterans TIME. February 16, 2015
  27. ↑ Shane III, Leo Study: Volunteer work could help vets' careers Military Times. February 16, 2015
  28. ↑ The Mission Continues Drives Progress for Active Duty & Veteran Services Classyawards.org. February 16, 2015
  29. ↑ "New Profit Inc. :: The Mission Continues".
  30. ↑ Draper Richards Fellow: Eric Greitens http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150928144450/http://www.draperrichards.org/fellows/mission.html
  31. ↑ Mission Continues Chief Executive Officer: Eric Greitens http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150928194351/https://www.missioncontinues.org/About/OurTeam/details/11
  32. ↑ Brennan, Vince The Mission Continues’ Greitens steps down St. Louis Business Journal. February 20, 2015
  33. ↑ Strength and Compassion: Photographs and Essays by Eric Greitens. Sep 23, 2008. ISBN 0971007802.
  34. ↑ http://www.creativewell.com/pdf/muller.pdf
  35. ↑ "Book Detail Page - HMH Books". houghtonmifflinbooks.com.
  36. ↑ "Spring 2011 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Adult Frontlist Catalog".
  37. ↑ Urban, Mark (2011-04-14). "THE HEART AND THE FIST by Eric Greitens | Kirkus". Kirkusreviews.com. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  38. ↑ Schuessler, Jennifer (May 13, 2011). "Inside the List". The New York Times.
  39. ↑ Schuessler, Jennifer. "Print & E-Books". The New York Times.
  40. ↑ "St. Louis Independent Bookstore Alliance". http://www.stlindiebook.com/node/41
  41. ↑ Powers, Kevin Acts of Valor "New York Times". February 18, 2015
  42. ↑ Nelson, Marcia Spring 2015 Announcements: Lifestyle: Death and Dieting Publishers Weekly. February 16, 2015
  43. ↑ Naughton, Julie Rising After a Fall: PW Talks with Eric Greitens Publishers Weekly. February 16, 2015
  44. ↑ Eric Greitens: The Heart and The Myth. 11 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  45. ↑ Here's the Truth. 12 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  46. ↑ JMayne (23 February 2016). "Eric Greitens Rebuffs Sick Political Attacks with the Truth". Ladue-Frontenac, MO Patch.
  47. ↑ "Navy SEALs claim credit for video critical of Greitens". The Missouri Times.
  48. ↑ "Rift Among Navy SEALs Over Members Who Cash In on Brand". The New York Times. 3 April 2016.
  49. ↑ "The question for Eric Greitens: Is he cashing in on SEALS brand?". kansascity.
  50. ↑ "Former Navy SEAL Greitens running as Republican for Missouri governor". kansascity.
  51. ↑ Jo Mannies. "Greitens casts himself as a renegade as he joins GOP crowd running for governor". stlpublicradio.org.
  52. ↑ "Former DCCC Prospect Running as Republican in Missouri". At the Races. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  53. ↑ Mannies, Jason Rosenbaum, Jo. "Politically Speaking: Former Gov. Holden talks about leading through tough times". news.stlpublicradio.org. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  54. ↑ "I Believe". Eric Greitens for Governor. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  55. ↑ MOpoliticaljunkie (2016-01-25), Eric Greitens Discusses Climate Change, retrieved 2016-01-26
  56. ↑ MOpoliticaljunkie (2016-01-25), Eric Greitens Discusses Institutions of Global Governance, retrieved 2016-01-26
  57. 1 2 3 4 Eric Greitens Throws Hat In The Ring For Missouri Governor. 28 September 2015 – via YouTube.
  58. ↑ Stronger. Together. 21 January 2016 – via YouTube.
  59. 1 2 Greitens, Eric (2015-07-13). "Former Navy SEAL: Why I am no longer a Democrat | Fox News". Fox News. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  60. ↑ "Eric Farris Show 12/6/15". SoundCloud. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  61. ↑ "Wednesday, December 2 - Hour 1 from The Dana Show". podbay. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  62. ↑ http://www.mayorslay.com/sites/default/files//campaign/lit/20130221-endorsementII.pdf
  63. ↑ "Eric Greitens". www.ericgrietens.com. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  64. ↑ Lee Enterprises. "'Oh my God, you are such a weasel!' and other things pols say to each other behind the scenes". stltoday.com.
  65. ↑ Kraske, Steve (13 November 2015). "Anti-Eric Greitens campaign tied to former John Brunner staffer springs into action". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  66. ↑ Kraske, Steve (3 December 2015). "John Brunner comes out short after fiery phone exchange with Eric Greitens". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  67. ↑ "Phone call between Missouri governor candidates gets heated". Kansas City Business Journal. 25 November 2015.
  68. ↑ "Eric Greitens Raised More Than $1.5 Million In Fourth Quarter". The Missouri Times.
  69. ↑ Jacob Kirn (16 July 2015). "Koster, Greitens are top fundraisers in gubernatorial race". St. Louis Business Journal.
  70. ↑ "Eric Greitens (r) – January 2016 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report – “Running for governor in which state?”". Show Me Progress.
  71. ↑ Colvin, Geoff (2014-03-20). "Eric Greitens - Fortune ranks the World's 50 Greatest Leaders - FORTUNE". Money.cnn.com. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  72. ↑ "A Meaningful Adventure." Tufts NOW. 20 May 2012. <http://now.tufts.edu/articles/meaningful-adventure>
  73. ↑ 2012 | Eric Greitens The Bronfman Prize. February 16, 2015
  74. ↑ "MLB, PEOPLE Magazine & Cardinals announce three finalists for "People All-Stars Among Us" national campaign." St. Louis Cardinals. 1 June 2010. <http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100601&content_id=10674702&vkey=pr_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl>
  75. ↑ "People All-Stars Among Us." MLB. 20 June 2010. <http://mlb.mlb.com/peopleallstarsamongus/>
  76. ↑ "President Bush Honoring Local Veteran with Award" KSDK News Channel 5. 3 Oct 2007.<http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=156651&catid=3>.
  77. ↑ Vespereny, Cynthia St. Louis Character: Eric Greitens St. Louis Business Journal. February 20, 2015
  78. ↑ "Presentation of the HOOAH Award to Lt. Eric Greitens". NCoC. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  79. ↑ Nyberg, Justin (2009-12-03). "Adventure Altruism All-Stars | Politics". OutsideOnline.com. Retrieved 2014-04-28.http://www.outsideonline.com/1874971/adventure-altruism-all-stars
  80. ↑ Brian Williams (2013-11-21). "NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams - NBC News". MSNBC. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  81. ↑ "TODAY Video Player - popup". Today.msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  82. ↑ "May 11, 2011 - Eric Greitens - The Colbert Report - Episode Details | Comedy Central". Colbertnation.com. 2011-05-11. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  83. ↑ 2014 Convocation Lecture February 16, 2015
  84. ↑ Hollerman, Joe STL's Eric Greitens steps down as veterans group chief St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 16, 2015

External links

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