by Maria McConville, MD, RDN
In the military, there are certainly times when the going gets tough. When it does, is there someone you can depend on for support? Does this person “have your back?” Have you taken time to express your gratitude for their support? Whether you have or haven’t, November is a great time to set an intention for doing just that.
“Got My Six” is an annual campaign that encourages Service Members and the military community at large to show gratitude to those who “have their back” or who’ve “got their six” in military speak. The term stems from World War I fighter pilots, whose 6 o’clock position, or rear of the plane, was most vulnerable to enemy attack. The pilots who would look out for each other’s safety and protect each other from harm would say, “I’ve got your six.” For Service Members, it also means your teammates are willing to lay down their lives for you, and you for them.
Taking time to reflect on who’s got your “six,” and whose “six” you’ve got, serves as a great reminder to express gratitude. Expressing gratitude—whether you say it aloud, write it down, or put it into the action of helping someone—is one of the easiest yet most powerful ways to improve your well-being. When you pause to give thanks—whether for food on the table, supportive relationships, or the beauty of the world—you shift your perspective from what you lack to what you have. This small but profound act can reduce stress, strengthen social bonds, and deepen your sense of purpose.
Meal time is a great time to express gratitude
This year, CHAMP celebrates “Got My Six” in November in conjunction with Thanksgiving, the most widely recognized holiday centered around gratitude. Thanksgiving traces its roots to early harvest festivals shared between Indigenous peoples and pilgrims. While today’s holiday is often known for its feast with traditional foods like turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, the deeper meaning lies in coming together to acknowledge blessings, express thanks, and gather with family and friends.
At Thanksgiving and throughout the year, families often begin their meals by sharing something they’re grateful for. Communities host food drives and offer volunteer opportunities—reminding us that gratitude isn’t only about recognition but also about giving back, having someone else’s “six.” Research even shows that through these acts of kindness you can strengthen family connections, build empathy, and foster resilience. In a fast-paced culture, Thanksgiving serves as a yearly reminder to slow down, reflect, and connect.
It’s worth remembering that the act of giving thanks is not just a holiday ritual, but a practice we can carry into daily life. Gratitude has the power to nurture well-being, strengthen communities, and inspire a deeper connection to the world around us.
When you gather with friends and family this month or anytime of the year, express gratitude in whatever form makes sense for you. There’s no template for appreciation. If you’re looking for some conversation starters with teammates, family members, or friends, try a few of these prompts:
- What piece of advice have you been given that you’re most grateful for?
- Who do you consider a positive life or career mentor?
- If there were one person you would like to thank for something—big or small—who would it be?
- How do you think expressing gratitude to others can foster connectivity?
- How do you feel when someone expresses gratitude toward you?
Global Traditions of Thankfulness
While American Thanksgiving is unique in its form, the spirit of gratitude is universal. Across cultures, communities pause to honor the earth’s bounty, celebrate togetherness, and give thanks for life’s gifts. A few of these cultural traditions from across the globe include:
- Brazil: Dia de Ação de Graças, also celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, features church services followed by a carnival and giving thanks at family gatherings.
- Canada: Thanksgiving, celebrated in October, includes similar foods and traditions as America’s Thanksgiving but is focused on the harvest.
- Germany: Erntedankfest, also celebrated in October, is a harvest festival marked by church services, parades, and feasts featuring seasonal produce.
- Japan: Kinrō Kansha no Hi (Labor Thanksgiving Day), celebrated on November 23, thanks workers for labor, emphasizing appreciation for community contributions.
- Korea: Chuseok, celebrated in September or October depending on the lunar calendar, brings families together to honor ancestors and share rice cakes called songpyeon.
- India: Pongal, celebrated in January according to the solar calendar, is a harvest festival dedicated to showing gratitude to the sun god (Surya) for providing energy for crops by boiling freshly harvested rice with milk.
- China: Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, takes place in September or October each year; it celebrates unity and harvest with mooncakes and family gatherings under the full moon.
- Ghana: Homowo Festival, typically observed in August, commemorates overcoming famine, with parades, drumming, and sharing a special dish made from steamed and fermented cornmeal mixed with palm oil.
Though traditions differ, each reflects the same theme—pausing, reflecting, and giving thanks for sustenance, community, and life itself.
A Universal Language of Thanks
Whether expressed through a turkey dinner, mooncakes under a full moon, or rice boiled in milk to honor the sun, gratitude is a universal language that transcends culture. It reminds us of our interconnectedness—to each other, to the land, and to the generations who came before us.
Take time this month (or any month) to express gratitude to those who’ve “got your six.” You can use the Human Performance Resource Center’s “Got My Six” cards or toolkit to create a visual gratitude photo, video, or gratitude corner. A little gratitude can go a long way.
About the author: Maria McConville of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, is a senior nutrition health educator for the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU).
