Erik Prince

Since United States military operations in Iraq began in 2003, I have visited Iraq at least 15 times. But unlike politicians who visit, the question for me has never been why the U.S. got into Iraq. Instead, as the CEO of Blackwater, the urgent question was how the company I head could perform the duties asked of us by the U.S. State Department.

We have kind of turned our back on the fact that hard work, sacrifice, risk-taking, innovation, is what made America great.

I know a lot of people in the aviation business, particularly ones who will fly to places where your boots get dirty when you get out of the airplane.

My dad built his business by providing products he figured the customers would want.

I'm a business guy just trying to make - provide great services to the customers that need us.

I put myself and my company at the C.I.A.'s disposal for some very risky missions. But when it became politically expedient to do so, someone threw me under the bus.

I'm no hero. The world knows all too well about my mistakes. But I was never meant to play the villain.

We now know that gun-free zones, though well intentioned, do not prevent attacks.

Troops fighting for their lives should not have to ask a lawyer sitting in air conditioning 500 miles away for permission to drop a bomb.

I built Blackwater to stay connected to the SEAL teams and to serve that whole community.

I think faith gives us a structure around which to try to organize our lives. I'm also a big believer, and very thankful that there's forgiveness.

Any systems can always be made better.