My academic immersion in Peru as a UF student furthered my mission of stewardship
During my recent trip to Peru as a UF student, one of the things that struck me most was the contrast. I spent much of my adult life in the Army, serving in organizations focused on readiness, maneuver and mission accomplishment.
Later, as a contractor, builder and inspector, my work centered on solving problems, managing risk and making decisions that kept projects moving forward. Sitting inside the U.S. Embassy in Lima, discussing the preservation of historic diplomatic property, felt like standing on the opposite end of that spectrum. Instead of talking about building something new or solving an immediate problem, we were discussing how to preserve something that already exists and ensure it remains meaningful for future generations.
What I found fascinating was realizing that both worlds share a common thread. Whether serving as a soldier, a contractor or a preservation advocate, stewardship is ultimately about responsibility. The tools may be different, but the question remains the same: What are we leaving behind for those who come after us?
In May, I joined fellow students from the UF M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management and the College of Design, Construction and Planning for an academic and cultural immersion experience throughout Lima and Cusco focused on historic preservation, construction practices, architecture and international stewardship of culturally significant sites.
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Cultural Heritage allowed us to participate in discussions related to an active preservation concern involving historic front entry exterior cladding at the Lima embassy. I noticed evidence of delamination within portions of the architectural metal tile system, along with pitting and corrosion developing around sections of the framing, and my mind immediately began working through possible environmental causes.
The challenge was determining how to preserve the building’s integrity while respecting its history and intended appearance. This experience offered valuable insight into the role of the Office of Cultural Heritage in preserving diplomatic properties while supporting American diplomacy overseas.
My military background probably shaped my perspective on this trip more than I initially realized. For nearly two decades, I served in an organization that prepares people for conflict. That is an important responsibility, but it is fundamentally different from preservation. Walking through historic sites forced me to reflect on that contrast.
Historic buildings, cultural sites and even international relationships require patience, humility and long-term thinking. They can be damaged far more quickly than they can be repaired. As a veteran, that realization resonated with me. It reminded me that national strength is not measured solely by what we can build or defend; it is also reflected in what we choose to preserve.
My life mission statement is to be a good role model, making the world a better place, if only in a small way. The trip reinforced that making the world a better place is rarely about one grand accomplishment. More often, it is the result of countless small acts of stewardship that accumulate over time.
In Lima and Cusco, I was surrounded by evidence of that commitment. Generations of people have worked to preserve these places, often without recognition. That experience reinforced my belief that preservation itself is an act of service.
Knowing my observations may contribute to conversations at UF is rewarding in itself. The possibility that they may also be read by professionals within the U.S. Department of State makes the experience even more meaningful. What matters most to me, however, is the possibility that another veteran might read this and recognize opportunities they never considered for themselves.
Many of us leave military service carrying experiences, skills and perspectives that do not always fit neatly into a civilian job title. Higher education, international travel, cultural preservation and academic research were not paths I imagined for myself during most of my military career, yet they have become some of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
For veterans, experiences like this can be more than educational; they can be restorative. They can provide a new sense of purpose, a new mission and a reminder that our service did not end when we took off the uniform.
Ronnie Grissett is a retired U.S. Army and Florida Army National Guard veteran, a state-licensed certified general building contractor and the founder of Team Patriot Building Solutions LLC. He is currently pursuing a Master of Construction Management degree in the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management (Class of Fall 2026), where he focuses on bridging the gap between practical field construction and global historic preservation ethics.