Growing up, I didn’t fully understand the weight of the uniforms in our family closets. My grandfather served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. My other grandfather was a Navy seaman. And my great-uncle, Samuel Gantner, gave his life at Pearl Harbor and was later honored as a decorated war hero. These stories were always around me — shared over holidays, spoken about at family gatherings, and even whispered in quiet moments when a flag passed by in a parade.

Back then, I knew their names and roles, but I didn’t realize how much their service would shape my own life — not by sending me into the military, but by instilling a mindset that has guided me through school, sports, teaching, and now managing in the hospitality industry. The values they carried with them into battle—discipline, sacrifice, respect, and commitment—are the same ones I try to carry with me into work each day.

Service Beyond the Uniform

Not everyone in our family served in the military, but service still runs deep in our roots. My father was a lifelong educator and coach in Lodi, California. He mentored hundreds of students and athletes during his career, and his impact went way beyond the classroom. My mother was a nurse, caring for people at their most vulnerable. Neither wore camouflage, but both lived lives centered on helping others. That, to me, is what service looks like.

In my own career—whether I was in the classroom teaching, coaching youth basketball, or now managing a restaurant—I try to live up to that example. Service, in any form, is about showing up for people. It’s about doing your job with integrity and making someone else’s day a little better.

Discipline and Routine Matter

Military life runs on structure. Wake up early. Follow orders. Work as a unit. While my path didn’t take me into the service, I’ve learned how much routine and discipline matter in everything I do.

When I was coaching, consistency was key. Players needed structure to grow and improve. When I was teaching, my students responded best when they knew what to expect from me and the classroom environment. And now in hospitality, where every shift brings surprises, having systems in place — from prep work to scheduling to customer service standards — makes all the difference.

I don’t always get it perfect, but the mindset of discipline helps me stay focused, especially on the long days when things don’t go as planned.

Respect Goes a Long Way

One thing I’ve always admired about military culture is the respect it builds between people — for leadership, for tradition, and for each other. That’s something I’ve tried to carry into every leadership role I’ve had.

In hospitality, respect isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s necessary. I lead a diverse team, and everyone plays a critical part in what we do. Whether someone’s washing dishes, bartending, or managing the floor, they deserve to be treated with dignity. I learned that early on from my dad, and I’ve seen it reinforced through stories of my grandfather and great-uncle. You treat people with respect because it’s the right thing to do — not because of their title or rank.

Carrying on the Legacy

One of the most meaningful things to me is that my son and I are the last two people in our family to carry the Gantner name as our middle name. That’s not something I take lightly. It connects us to a legacy of sacrifice and honor, and it reminds me to live up to the people who came before us.

I’ve also been following a story for years about a school that was supposed to be named after my great-uncle Samuel. I’m not sure what happened with it, but I remember feeling a deep sense of pride that his story was being remembered in a public way. Whether that school is ever built or not, I try to honor his legacy in how I live and work every day — with purpose, with humility, and with a willingness to serve.

From Family History to Career Values

Looking back, I realize that military service in my family didn’t just give me stories to admire — it gave me a foundation for how to approach life. My grandfather’s bravery in the skies, my great-uncle’s sacrifice at Pearl Harbor, my parents’ decades of care and education — those aren’t just historical footnotes. They’re a blueprint for how to lead, how to serve, and how to keep moving forward when things get tough.

In a career like hospitality, where every day brings a mix of chaos and connection, those values give me strength. I may not be on the front lines in a battlefield, but in my own way, I try to carry their spirit forward — through mentorship, service, and leadership that’s rooted in respect.

Our careers don’t always follow the exact paths our families took. But that doesn’t mean their lessons don’t guide us. In fact, I’d argue that it’s those very lessons — from soldiers, nurses, teachers, and coaches — that quietly shape who we are and how we lead today.

So wherever your journey takes you, look back once in a while. Listen to the stories. Carry the names. Honor the service. And know that you’re not just building a career — you’re continuing a legacy.