Context:

A CNN interview profile centers on Rye Barcott’s book Courage Can Save Us, which spotlights ten current officeholders—nine veterans and one former FBI official—across parties who show political courage by prioritizing the public good and cross‑party dialogue. Barcott explains that his nonpartisan group With Honor seeks to elect veterans who pledge to serve with integrity and civility, drawing inspiration from traditional wartime leadership to reduce polarization. The discussion highlights how parenting and mentorship shape public service, and notes rising veteran and women veteran participation in congressional races, reflecting a broader desire for trusted leadership across divides. The conversation also positions courage as a deliberate choice to face risk for the common good, and argues for broader adoption of service-minded values in society and schools. Looking ahead, Barcott envisions more veterans in office who can model cross‑party collaboration and trust, while acknowledging imperfect realities of public life.

Dive Deeper:

• Rye Barcott, Marine Corps veteran and founder of With Honor, curates a group of ten current officeholders (nine veterans and one former FBI official) to illustrate political courage rooted in service and cross‑party collaboration.

• The book distinguishes courage from bravery by framing courage as a conscious choice to pursue the common good despite personal risk, with a focus on how leaders earn trust across party lines.

• With Honor, formed about nine years ago with David Gergen and another Marine, seeks to elect veterans who pledge to maintain civility and integrity, aiming to counter polarization in Congress.

• Barcott notes that parenting and mentorship repeatedly shape these leaders, with early life influences cited as foundational to their willingness to put public service above self-interest.

• The interview cites data tracked by With Honor showing record veteran and women veteran engagement in congressional races this cycle, including an uptick in post‑9/11 veterans and cross‑party participation, alongside a broader trust in veterans across the political spectrum.

• Barcott argues that veterans’ unique training—discipline, oath-taking, hardship experiences—contributes to their cross‑partisan appeal, though acknowledges not all veterans are aligned with these ideals or the pledge they sign.

• Beyond politics, he advocates applying courage-focused leadership ideals to schools and everyday life, encouraging a cultural shift toward service and collaboration as antidotes to division.