June 23, 2015
We The People: What does the term “got your six” mean? Where did it originate?In the military, “got your six” means “I’ve got your back.” The saying originated with World War I fighter pilots referencing the rear of an airplane as the six o’clock position. If you picture yourself at the center of a clock face, the area directly in front of you is twelve o’clock. Six o’clock is what lies behind you. On a battlefield, your “six” is the most vulnerable. So, when someone tells you that they’ve “got your six,” it means they’re watching your back. By extension, that person expects you to have their back as well. “Got your six” is now a ubiquitous term in the military that also highlights the way military members look out for each other.Why is the campaign called Got Your 6?
- The sense of loyalty and cooperation embedded in the term “got your six” inspired the creation of this campaign and should inspire all Americans to better understand and empower our returning veterans and military families. Got Your 6 creates opportunities for veterans and civilians to join together to bridge the civilian-military divide and reinvigorate our communities.
- Why do we need Got Your 6?
- We are at a unique moment in history, as our nation’s longest war draws to an end. More than one million military veterans will re-enter civilian life in the next three to five years. Too many people and groups see veteran integration as a burden on society or as a problem that needs to be fixed. Got Your 6 wants all Americans to know that returning veterans provide our country with great opportunities. It’s up to all of us to aid in their transition, foster their leadership skills, and stand beside them to reinvigorate our communities. Veterans are leaders and civic assets. If we want them to take leadership roles in our communities, we must have high expectations of them and ask, “What’s next?” Got Your 6 encourages veterans and military families to succeed at home and provides opportunities for them to do so.
- Why should I support Got Your 6?
- Veterans and their families have sacrificed and served our country, yet many civilians don’t fully understand military culture. By increasing our understanding, we can all benefit from our veterans’ unique skills and experiences. Supportive communities recognize veterans as assets and encourage them to be civic leaders. Supporting Got Your 6 means supporting civilian-military collaboration, and supporting those who have always supported you.
- There are many military nonprofits and Veterans Service Organizations. What makes Got Your 6 different?
- Got Your 6 uses an innovative model of cross-sector collaboration to bring the public, private, and nonprofit sectors together to bridge the civilian-military divide. The coalition of nonprofits assembled by Got Your 6 has the unique ability to leverage their networks and enhance the work they are accomplishing on the ground. Additionally, Got Your 6 draws attention to the nonprofits’ work and fosters understanding through an unprecedented awareness campaign that includes a national publicity effort led by the campaign’s entertainment industry supporters. The power of collective impact is a crucial part of the success of Got Your 6.
- Is Got Your 6 a nonprofit organization?
- Got Your 6 is a campaign of Be The Change, Inc., which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. Be The Change creates national issue-based campaigns that bring about positive changes in our society.
The Silent Soldier 