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THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST

THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST
Author: U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
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© 2025-2026 | U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation | All Rights Reserved
Description
Stories of leadership told by the leaders of character who lived them. This is how the Air Force Academy experience shaped their past, present and future. Presented by the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation.
31 Episodes
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A view of leadership and character development through the eyes and actions of a world-class athlete.
SUMMARY
For NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling champion and newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24, what happens on the mat informs how he manages conflict, planning, strategy and tactics, and most importantly, his development as a leader.
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WYATT'S TAKEAWAYS
- Wyatt's journey exemplifies leadership and perseverance.
- The Air Force Academy provided a strong foundation for Wyatt.
- Pivotal moments can change the trajectory of one's life.
- Tattoos can tell a personal story and hold deep meaning.
- Winning the NCAA title was a culmination of hard work and strategy.
- Mindset and planning are crucial in wrestling and leadership.
- Family support plays a significant role in personal success.
- Mastering the basics is essential for excellence in any field.
- Call signs reflect identity and values in the military.
- God's plan often unfolds in unexpected ways. Adversity can lead to personal growth and resilience.
- Mental strength is crucial in competitive sports.
- Reaching out for help is essential for overcoming challenges.
- Building a strong foundation in skills is vital for success.
- Wrestling teaches valuable life lessons about failure and perseverance.
- Enjoying the journey is as important as achieving goals.
- Hard work is the only path to success; there are no shortcuts.
- Self-motivation is key to personal and professional growth.
- Doing little things right builds good habits and character.
- Faith and gratitude play a significant role in success.
CHAPTERS
00:00: Introduction to Leadership and Perseverance
02:07: The Journey to the Air Force Academy
05:56: Defining Moments and Personal Growth
09:57: Tattoos and Their Significance
14:03: The NCAA Championship Experience
18:03: Mindset and Training in Wrestling
22:05: Call Signs and Identity
26:00: Family Background and Support
27:06: Overcoming Adversity in Wrestling
30:40: The Mental Game of Wrestling
35:15: Building a Strong Foundation
38:01: Lessons from Wrestling and Military
40:34: Training for the 2028 Olympics
42:08: Finding Joy in the Journey
44:42: Navigating Sponsorships and NIL
47:03: The Importance of Doing Little Things Right
50:48: Self-Motivation and Purpose
54:02: Closing Thoughts and Gratitude
ABOUT WYATT HENDRICKSON
BIO
2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24 is a wrestler known for his remarkable collegiate career and service in the United States Air Force. He gained national attention in 2025 by winning the NCAA heavyweight championship, defeating Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in a dramatic upset.
Early Life and High School Career
Hendrickson comes from Newton, Kansas, and is the son of Todd and Lynnette Hendrickson. At Newton High School, he was a standout wrestler, becoming a two-time Kansas state champion and a three-time finalist. He earned All-American honors in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and folkstyle wrestling, and won national titles at the NHSCA Senior Nationals and FloNationals.
Collegiate Wrestling Career
Air Force Academy
Initially hesitant about a military path, Wyatt was persuaded by his father to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. There, he became one of the most dominant heavyweight wrestlers in NCAA history. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier, two-time Big 12 champion, and two-time NCAA All-American, finishing third nationally in both 2023 and 2024. He led the nation in pins for three consecutive seasons and was twice named the NCAA Most Dominant Wrestler. He concluded his Air Force career with a 103–11 record, becoming the program’s all-time leader in pins.
Oklahoma State University
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wyatt had an extra year of eligibility. As a member of the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program, he was allowed to delay active-duty service to pursue Olympic training. This enabled him to transfer to Oklahoma State University for the 2024–25 season. Fulfilling a childhood dream, he joined the Cowboys and went undefeated (27–0), culminating in his victory over Gable Steveson in the NCAA finals.
Personal Life and Military Service
Wyatt holds the rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and is pursuing an MBA at Oklahoma State University. His unique journey from a small-town Kansas wrestler to NCAA champion and military officer exemplifies dedication and perseverance.
MORE ON WYATT HERE:
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FULL TRANSCRIPT
SPEAKERS: Guest, 2nd. Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24 | Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
KEYWORDS
Leadership, perseverance, Air Force Academy, wrestling, NCAA champion, personal growth, mindset, tattoos, family support, call signs, wrestling, adversity, mental strength, Olympic training, leadership, self-improvement, Air Force Academy, sponsorships, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), personal growth
GALLERY
The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
Jake DeRuyter, a 2015 Air Force Academy graduate, shares a compelling leadership journey marked by unexpected challenges and resilient adaptation. ----more----
SUMMARY
Initially aspiring to be a pilot, Jake faced a critical moment when back surgery disqualified him from his dream career, forcing him to quickly choose a new Air Force Specialty Code within just one hour. Despite the uncertainty, he remained calm and strategic, ultimately transitioning to intelligence and then to an ROTC instructor role. His leadership philosophy emerged from these experiences: staying flexible, maintaining a strong network, and focusing on developing others rather than just personal advancement.
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JAKE'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS
- Always be willing to adapt and stay resilient when unexpected challenges arise, like Jake did when he couldn't become a pilot and had to quickly choose a new career path.
- Build and maintain a strong network of connections, as these relationships can help you navigate career transitions and provide support.
- Focus on developing the people around you, not just your own career advancement. A great leader lifts up their team and helps others grow.
- Stay proactive in reaching out to people, checking in, and genuinely listening to their stories and experiences.
- Be willing to take risks on talented individuals, especially those from similar backgrounds or networks, like how Jake was given an opportunity by fellow graduates.
- Maintain a competitive spirit and drive, but channel it into continuous self-improvement and supporting others.
- Give back to your community, whether through mentoring, volunteering, or leading local chapters and organizations.
- Be prepared to put in consistent daily effort, understanding that success comes from habits and persistent hard work.
- Stay open to unexpected opportunities and be willing to pivot when your initial career path doesn't work out.
- Prioritize relationships and connections over individual achievements, recognizing that your success is often measured by the people you've helped develop.
JAKE'S TOP 5 LEADERSHIP LESSONS
Here are the 5 best leadership lessons from Jake DeRuyter's interview:
Build Others Up, Not Just Yourself
Jake emphasized that true leadership is about developing the people around you. As he said, "Don't just worry about your own career and life" - great leaders are judged by the success of those they mentor and support.
Stay Adaptable and Resilient
When Jake's pilot career was unexpectedly derailed, he demonstrated the critical leadership skill of staying calm under pressure and quickly pivoting. He chose to focus on what he could control rather than getting stuck on what he couldn't change.
Maintain Genuine Connections
Jake consistently stressed the importance of reaching out, checking in with people, and truly listening. He makes time to connect with classmates, colleagues, and fellow graduates, understanding that relationships are the foundation of effective leadership.
Take Calculated Risks and Support Others
Jake's career trajectory shows the importance of being willing to take risks - both for yourself and for others. He was given a chance by fellow graduates and now pays it forward by helping other transitioning military members.
Give Back Consistently
Leadership isn't just about personal achievement, but about contributing to your community. Jake exemplifies this through his role as chapter president, mentoring cadets, and always being available to help fellow Air Force Academy graduates.
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Leadership Journeys
05:31 Navigating Life's Crossroads
12:01 The Role of Mentorship and Family
17:31 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
20:48 Motivation and Personal Drive
22:02 The Daily Grind: A Shift in Focus
24:31 Building Community: Chapter Leadership
27:29 Challenges of Leadership and Engagement
29:00 Giving Back: The Importance of Community
31:12 Leadership Lessons: Daily Practices
32:53 Advice for Aspiring Leaders
34:25 Reflections on Involvement and Connection
36:40 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
ABOUT JAKE
BIO
As a 2015 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Jake spent six years on active duty serving as an Intel Officer and ROTC Instructor. Having left the service, he now am an Account Executive on the Air Force team at IMPRES Technology Solutions providing active duty units with the tech they need to accomplish the mission.
- Copy courtesy of Jake DeRuyter and LinkedIn
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SPEAKERS
GUEST, JAKE DERUYTER ’15 | HOST, LT. COL. (RET.) NAVIERE WALKEWICZ ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:00
Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of ’99. My guest today is Jake DeRuyter, Class of ’15, currently an account executive with Impress Technology and the president of the Central Texas Chapter of the Association of Graduates, quite possibly our youngest graduate to do so. He is second-generation Air Force following his father, a graduate from the Class of ’85, and uncle, Class of ’87 from our Air Force Academy, the only school that he applied to after high school. We'll talk about those things, Jake's leadership journey and a particular crossroad he arrived at when he had one hour to decide his entire life. Jake, welcome to Long Blue Leadership, and I'd like to dive right in: One hour to decide your entire life. What's that about?
Jake DeRuyter 01:22
Yeah, so my second semester, first year, I was dealing with some pretty significant back issues, and didn't realize how just how severe it was. So I'm in the flight dock. It was either the Monday the week before or the week of graduation, and the doctor's like, “Hey, you're gonna need back surgery to remove the bulging disc in your back.” I'm like, “OK, great. I can barely walk, so sign me up. Whatever you can do make me feel better.” And they're like, “Well, you're not gonna be able to keep your pilot slot if you proceed with the surgery.” And I'm not gonna lie and say it was my end all dream to be a pilot, but you go through all four years thinking you're gonna fly, you're pretty fired up for it, we're a week away from graduation, and then it’s like, hey, the rug is just pulled. But I had to make a decision right there where it's like, “Hey, I'd rather be able to walk and be pain free than fly.” And so that was a pretty easy decision at that point. And then the next part is, what you alluded to, is where things got a little tricky. So being just a couple days before walking across the stage and saluting the secretary of the Air Force, I’m like, “So what's my job going to be?” I don't even know what else is available in the Air Force. I didn't have to focus on this.” And they're like, “Well, I'm just the flight doc. Go talk to the personnel office over in Vandy, and they'll get you taken care of.” So, I walk — or hobble — on over there, And I'm like, “Hey, Jake DeRuyter, I told the flight doc to give y’all a call, you know, to get me a new job. What's my life look like? What are we doing next?” And she just goes, “Well, there was a big missileer crisis, and we're really desperate for missileers. So, you're gonna be missiles now.” And I'm just, like — my jaw dropped.
Naviere Walkewicz
Not what you expected to hear.
Jake DeRuyter
Not what I wanted and like, not to downplay missiles, just not what I wanted to join the Air Force to do, right? That's... I'm just like, standing there in shock. And she's like, “Are you OK?” And I'm like, “I kind of want to jump off my room on top of Vandy, but you know, it's gonna be fine. Do I get some preferences? Do I have any say in this?” Just assigning that to kind of seems aggressive. She goes, “Well, I guess I can take your preferences down.” And I'm just like, “Why didn't you lead with that? That would have been great.” And so she's like, “Well, I need to submit these right now. So, what do you want to do?” I'm like, “Well, what are my options? I don't even know what other AFSC’s there are.” So, that becomes a very frantic hour of me calling all my teachers. I was a management major — I highly recommend that. One of the best decisions of my life was going through the management department. And I call my teachers and they’re like, “Hey, stick with something business related, like contracting, acquisitions, finance. If you put one of those three down, you're guaranteed to do it.” I'm like, “OK, sweet. Sounds like it sure bets on me. Like, that, sounds easy enough.” but they made you put down five. And, you know, you always hear the horror stories where if you don't put down something, it defaults to the needs of the Air Force, right? So I think I put down like PA, just because I was like, “There's no way they'll pick me for that. There's barely any PA officers.” And I, for the life of me, couldn't tell you what I put in the fifth spot. And so, I walk out of there kind of dejected. I'm like, “Man, my whole life just changed in the span of an hour. No idea what the next— I don't know where I'm gonna be living. I don't know what my job's gonna be like. What in the world's going on?” So, the next day we're all sitting in one of those final briefings, you know, “Hey, here's how you PCS. Here's how you do XYZ.” Right? As the meeting’s about to kick off, that same tech sergeant — God, I’d give her a big hug now — she walks up to me with some paperwork and says, “Congratulations, sir.” And I'm looking at her like the person just told me my life was over the day before, so I'm not exactly happy to see this person. And then I look at the paper, and it just says, “Goodfellow Air Force Base.” I had no idea where in the w
In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Christian Evans shares his journey from a jovial cadet to a dedicated leader focused on uplifting others.
SUMMARY
Christian reflects on transformative experiences during his time at the Air Force Academy, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of community engagement. Christian discusses navigating career transitions, the power of giving back, and the significance of leading with love. He emphasizes resilience, personal growth, and the need to engage the next generation of leaders.
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TAKEAWAYS
Christian emphasizes the importance of humor in leadership.
Transformative experiences can lead to personal growth and leadership development.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in guiding younger generations.
Navigating career transitions requires building a supportive network.
Giving back to the community enhances personal fulfillment.
Engaging the next generation is vital for sustaining leadership values.
Resilience is key to overcoming failures and learning from them.
Leading with love fosters a supportive environment.
Personal growth is a continuous journey influenced by experiences.
Finding avenues to contribute to the community is essential for leadership.
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Leadership Journeys
02:56 Transformative Experiences in Cadet Life
06:10 The Impact of Mentorship and Community
08:52 Navigating Career Transitions
11:49 The Power of Giving Back
14:50 Engaging the Next Generation
17:55 Lessons in Resilience and Growth
21:00 Leading with Love
23:55 Reflections on Personal Growth
26:59 Conclusion and Future Aspirations
ABOUT CHRISTIAN EVANS
BIO
Christian Evans is a Business Development Executive at Olsson where he leads sales and growth efforts in Texas and Colorado. Christian previously worked as Managing Partner of Greenwood Capital lower middle market PE firm, Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Capital Markets Sales Manager at Highland Capital Management. Prior to joining Highland, he worked as an associate on the Banking, Investing, and Lending team at Goldman Sachs. Christian started his professional career in the United States Air Force as a space operations officer at Cape Cod AFS, MA and an acquisitions program manager at the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, CA.
Christian is an active leader in the Dallas community sitting on the Visiting Nurses Association of Texas Board of Directors on the finance and development committees and on the Friends Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy on the Development committee. Christian is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and The Real Estate Council.
Christian is a 2008 Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy where he majored in Management. As a Cadet, he competed on the Fighting Falcon football team, served as President of the Tuskegee Airmen Club, and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporated. He completed his MBA at the SMU Cox School of Business in 2017. Christian is married to Dr. Candace Evans and they enjoy their time with their son, Cash.
- Copy courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates
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SPEAKERS
Guest: CHRISTIAN EVANS ’08 | Host: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:00
Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of ’99. For Christian Evans, USAFA Class of 2008, the journey was arduous, and even now, though he's dedicated himself to a life of lifting others up, he still thinks of himself as a work in progress, becoming the model for grace, giving back and leadership that he is today. Christian, thanks for being here today.
Christian Evans 00:28
Thank you so much for having me. Truly honored and flattered to be here.
Naviere Walkewicz 00:34
What were you like growing up? — I guess maybe is the first question.
Christian Evans 00:38
I've always been a jovial person. I've always had a sense of humor, and I've always kind of been a strategic thinker, if that makes sense. So, while I was somewhat the life of the party to a certain extent, or someone on the team that would galvanize the teammates, it was mostly through humor or engaging outside of anything serious, because everything's so serious, right?
Naviere Walkewicz
Right.
Christian Evans
So, growing up and even at the Academy, I always kind of used humor as a way to put myself out there, so to speak, right? To kind of get people's moods to calm down. Yeah, I just always was more focused on what I was doing, and never focused on “I should be leading in this space,” outside of just knowing if you do well in school, get good grades… All right, that's leadership by doing. “I'm in NHS, I'm in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I'm doing all these service things. And even though I'm not the president or vice president, I'm still active, serving a greater purpose.” So, yeah, growing up, I was a good kid, liked to have fun, maybe a little crass at times.
Naviere Walkewicz 02:05
Your sophomore year, you know, your three-degree, you kind of had this decision point. What was it that helped you make that decision? Was there an incident? Was there a moment? Was it just a path you were on?
Christian Evans 02:20
There was definitely an incident. At the end of our sophomore year, we did not have the season that we wanted as a football team, so the night of the game, after the game, I was still underaged, and I drank alcohol and the Academy found out about it. And so, I had to go through that rehabilitation process, which wasn't fun. I think it was six months where you're restricted to the base. At that point, that's when I said, “OK, this isn't a civilian school. You’ve kind of got to button it up here if you want to stay and actually get something out of it.” So that next year, I made a point during summer school, and even that summer as a cadre for basic, to just really apply myself and try to see, “All right, if I actually apply myself and lead and maybe not make everything a joke, will you see real outcomes?” And I think that's where my first experience of really being able to affect younger cadets and/or younger grads and their experience with the Academy. Because as a basic cadet cadre, I really went out of my way to try to look out for our basics in a way that typically doesn't happen during basic training. And it is what it is, right? Basic training is not summer camp, so it's got to be tough, it's got to be hard. But I definitely — and I think if you ask my basics — I definitely went into the situation with the idea of making it hard, but fair, but also making it enjoyable and something that's worth remembering. And so experiencing that as a cadet and really seeing, “OK, yeah, you're pretty good at this thing, you can motivate people, and you can make them feel good about themselves, and you could help them when they need it, and not make it hard for them to get where they need to go, kind of thing, and really enable them.” That was a great experience for me, and kind of carried into the next year. I got on group staff; I learned that the more that you lean in, there are actual outcomes that come out of it, and you're able to have a positive impact on other people, which, to me, gives me — that's where I get energy, and I feel good about myself. Outside of how I feel about myself is how I can help other people to accomplish whatever it is they kind of want to do.
Naviere Walkewicz 05:04
Wow, it sounds like you took an incident that happened to you all the way back in basic and you found a way to turn it around, to make sure that another basic didn't have to go through what you did. And you probably didn't even realize it at the time when you're going through that self-discovery as a leader and applying yourself, but can you think of a story of where that came into play? Like when you were a cadre for a basic, was there ever a time where you were able to make a difference for a basic that you weren't able to have made for you?
Christian Evans 05:34
Absolutely. One of the things I did — and this is an easy one — was when there was someone that needed meal replacements for whatever reason, or was still hungry at the end of the day, I would help get food and sustenance to them, whether they played sports or not. Obviously doing it for the football guys so that they could maintain weight for when the season starts. But when other non-football people mentioned that they were still hungry, the food was making them upset, things like that. Yeah, I would get them what they needed, right? And I think for that, they felt like somebody cared. I will say, as a cadre, I think the best thing I could have done was just make it a memorable experience through the experiences, right? Like I said, I'm into humor. I like to have fun, and to me, basic training as a cadre was like being a stand-up comedian with the built-in audience, you know? So, I would do bits with the kids, not kids, but they were kids. I would do bits, you know? I would have fun, but within that, it would always be kind of a bigger picture.
Naviere Walkewicz 06:49
Well, I think that's fantastic sharing a bit of your personality, and I think that's also part of leadership, because when we think about what how people lead, it's usually from what they learn from others. So, being able to see that you can be human, and you can use humor, and you can still affect a mission, and especially — maybe people bring in their best self, because they didn't feel that they had to be so fearful, right? I don't know, maybe you touched them in that way.
Christian Evans 07:17
I hope so. Because there was still a lot of fear
In this special episode of Long Blue Leadership, we present our Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of National Character and Leadership Symposium 2025. ----more----
SUMMARY
The theme for this year’s symposium was “Warfighters to Win.” Cadets heard from leaders who model the warrior spirit of our Air Force and Space Force. Host, Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist for the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates and Foundation, spoke with organizers, speakers, and panelists who came to NCLS from all across the military and academia.
OUR GUESTS FOR THIS EPISODE
SEGMENT 1
Topic: a look inside CCLD, the annual production of NCLS, and a preview of who is guesting in this podcast.
Ms. Danielle Brines
NCLS Program Director
Dr. Michele Johnson
NCLS Speaker Engagement Team Lead
SEGMENT 2
Topic: the thinking behind NCLS and how the Academy and cadets benefit and gain from the event and year-round programs.
Dr. Doug Lindsay ’92
Executive Editor, Journal of Character and Leadership Development
Author, In Your Moment: Mastering Your Leadership Thresholds
SEGMENT 3
Topic: Sharing their journeys to careers in support of Strike Eagle Squadrons.
1st Lt. Gabrielle "DARE" Sutedjo ’21
Intelligence Analyst for the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB supporting four Strike Eagle squadrons.
Capt. Joel Zamot ’18
Lead Weapons Systems Officer, 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB supporting four Strike Eagle squadrons.
SEGMENT 4
Topic: Task Force Hope: Crisis Leadership and Moral Injury Recovery. Task Force (TF) Hope equips participants with the tools to face adversity head-on, lead decisively through crisis, and recover with resilience from the lasting weight of moral injuries. Forged in the crucible of operational challenges, it embodies 14 years of relentless refinement, evolving from a 2010 Squadron Officer School (SOS) paper into a powerful SOS elective and further sharpened by the innovative rigor of the 2020 SOS Think Tank. Tested and validated by over 2,000 Air Force captains, three academic years of Air War College students and faculty, the 55th Operations Group Global Squadron Command Summit, and multiple Air Force, Army, and USSOF units, TF Hope empowers leaders to master their craft, make bold decisions amidst uncertainty, and outpace the chaos of crisis. The resounding feedback from participants underscores its impact: “Why didn’t I hear this earlier in my career?”
Col. Jonathan Sawtelle
Founder of Task Force Hope
Air Force Weather Career Field Manager at Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
Lt. Col. Brandon Murphy ’07
Director of Operations for the 306th Operations Support Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Maj. Tara Holmes
Chief of Cadet Development at the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
SEGMENT 5
Dr. John Torres ’82
Topic: "No Excuses." Dr. John Torres is a self-described “Air Force brat” who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1982. His 32-year military career in the Air Force included active duty as a C-130 Hercules pilot and service in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve as a flight surgeon. His military service also included a tour of duty in Iraq in 2004, as well as rescue missions at the South Pole and in response to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Leveraging his combined medical and military experience, Torres helped establish training courses for NATO Special Forces soldiers to ensure a high level of consistency across various nations, languages and cultures.
SEGMENT 6
Topic: Preview of our interview with the four winners of the Capt. Sullenberger Award for Courage. The podcast was hosted by Bryan Grossman, Association of Graduates and Foundation Senior Director of Communications. Publication is set for March 13-16, 2025.
Capt. Claire Eddins, USAFA ’18
Capt. Carla Nava, USAFA ’18
Capt. Logan Cowan, USAFA ‘18
Capt. Kyle Abraham, USAFA ’19,
All warfighter graduates distinguished themselves in what has been called the largest air-to-air engagement in over 50 years when they helped turn away Iran’s April 2024 attack against Israel. Their extraordinary airmanship contributed greatly to preserving regional stability, protecting Coalition forces, and saving countless civilian lives."
Copy Credit: USAFA Superintendent's Office
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The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
Dr. Heather Wilson, a 1982 Air Force Academy graduate, formerly the 24th Secretary of the Air Force, and first USAFA graduate to hold the position, discusses her unexpected journey to the role, emphasizing the importance of integrity, service, and leadership. ----more----
SUMMARY
Dr. Wilson shares her unexpected journey into leadership, the importance of integrity, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures. She reflects on her family legacy, the influence of mentors, and how her military background shaped her leadership style. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the value of collecting tools for leadership and adapting to different environments while maintaining core values. In this conversation, she discusses the importance of finding purpose in one's mission and the value of relationships, particularly family support. She reflects on her journey as a woman in leadership, the significance of legacy in public service, and her unexpected path to serving in Congress. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the lessons learned in collaboration and the importance of humor in leadership, ultimately encouraging future leaders to uphold high standards and not to shame their families.
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TAKEAWAYS
Dr. Wilson's journey to becoming Secretary of the Air Force was unexpected and transformative.
Leadership often requires owning failures and focusing on solutions.
Integrity is foundational to effective leadership and builds trust.
Adapting leadership styles to different cultures is essential for success.
Mentorship and influences from family play a significant role in shaping leaders.
Collecting tools and knowledge is crucial for effective leadership.
Quality management principles can be applied to various fields, including education and social services.
Leadership is not linear; it involves navigating different paths and chapters.
Building strong teams and hiring the right people is vital for organizational success.
Direct communication and honesty are key components of effective leadership. Doing things that matter with people you like is essential.
The most important decision in life can be personal, like choosing a partner.
Family support enriches life and provides joy.
Women in leadership often face unique challenges but can pave the way for others.
Legacy is about making lasting changes in systems and strategies.
Unexpected opportunities can lead to significant career changes.
Collaboration and giving credit to others is key in leadership roles.
Humor can help create a relaxed atmosphere in serious environments.
Education is crucial for transforming lives and communities.
Leadership is not always a straight path; adaptability is important.
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Long Blue Leadership
01:25 Unexpected Call to Leadership
03:16 Lessons from Leadership Challenges
08:28 The Importance of Integrity
10:07 Adapting Leadership Styles
12:23 Influences and Mentorship
15:25 Family Legacy and Influence
17:41 Learning from Team Members
21:29 Applying Quality Management Principles
24:07 Navigating Non-Linear Leadership Paths
24:20 Finding Purpose in Mission and Relationships
28:06 The Importance of Family Support
30:08 Navigating Leadership as a Woman
34:30 Legacy and Impact in Public Service
36:29 Unexpected Paths: Serving in Congress
41:03 Lessons in Collaboration and Leadership
ABOUT DR. WILSON
- IMAGES AND BIO COURTESY OF UTEP
BIO
Dr. Heather Wilson became the 11th President of The University of Texas at El Paso in 2019 after serving as Secretary of the United States Air Force. She is the former president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and she represented New Mexico in the United States Congress for 10 years.
Active in community and national affairs, she is a member of the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation, and serves as a board member of the Texas Space Commission. She was the inaugural Chair of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, and is a member of the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Dr. Wilson is the granddaughter of immigrants and was the first person in her family to go to college. She graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in the third class to admit women and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar.
UTEP is located on the U.S.-Mexico border – in the fifth largest manufacturing region in North America – and serves over 24,000 students with 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in nine colleges and schools. In the top 5% of public universities in the United States for research and designated a community-engaged university by the Carnegie Foundation, UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. It is the fourth largest research university in Texas and serves a student body that is 84% Hispanic.
President Wilson is an instrument rated private pilot. She and her husband, Jay Hone, have two adult children and two granddaughters.
Dr. Heather Wilson served as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force and was responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training and equipping and providing for the welfare of 660,000 Active-Duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces their families. She provided oversight of the Air Force’s annual budget of more than $132 billion and directs strategy and policy development, risk management, weapons acquisition, technology investments and human resource management across a global enterprise.
Dr. Wilson has more than 35 years of professional experience in a range of leadership and management roles in the military, higher education, government and private industry. Before assuming her current position, Dr. Wilson was president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, an engineering and science research university.
From 1998 to 2009, Dr. Wilson was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Before being elected to Congress, Dr. Wilson was a cabinet secretary in New Mexico’s state government responsible for foster care, adoption, juvenile delinquency, children’s mental health and early childhood education.
From 1989 to 1991 Wilson served on the National Security Council staff as director for defense policy and arms control for President George H.W. Bush during the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact.
From 1991 to1995 and again from 2009 to 2013 Wilson was in the private sector. In 1991, she founded Keystone International, Inc., a company that did business development and program planning work for defense and scientific industry. She served as a senior advisor to several national laboratories on matters related to nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, arms control verification, intelligence and the defense industrial base. Wilson also served on the boards of two publicly traded corporations as well as numerous advisory and non-profit boards.
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SPEAKERS
Guest: Dr. Heather Wilson ’82 | Hosts: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:00
Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkowicz, Class of ’99. Our story is about a leader who reached heights fellow Air Force Academy graduates had not reached before her, and this was at a time when opportunities to do so were still new. My guest is Dr. Heather Wilson, Class of ’82. As you heard, she served as the 24th secretary of the Air Force, but there is a unique distinction attached to that. Dr Wilson, welcome to Long Blue Leadership; we have much to discuss. Let's start with you becoming the secretary of the Air Force, our 24th.
Dr. Heather Wilson 00:37
Yeah, that wasn't part of my life's plan. Secretary Designate Mattis did call me. I was in South Dakota as the president of the South Dakota School of Mines and my cell phone rang and he said, “This is Jim Mattis, and I want to talk to you about becoming secretary of the Air Force.” And honest to goodness, my initial answer was, “Sir, you do know that being a college president is like the best job in America, right?” And he said, “Yeah, I know. I just came from Stanford.” And I said, “I didn't apply for any job. I mean, I like it out... I'm a gal of the West. I like the mountains. I like hiking and biking and fly fishing.” And he said, “Yeah, I know. I grew up on the Columbia River in Washington.” And I thought, “This isn't working,” but we talked several more times, and it was pretty clear that I was being called to serve in a way that I didn't anticipate, but that was what I was supposed to do.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:35
What a transformative moment in your life, I'm sure.
Dr. Heather Wilson 01:38
Well, it was. Again, my entire life, I think, is a diversion from its planned course. But I turned out — I didn't anticipate that, and it meant — my husband doesn't really much like big East Coast cities that rain a lot and have a lot of traffic, and so from a family point of view, it wasn't what we personally wanted to do, but you're called to serve. And we've been called to serve in different ways in our lives and sometimes, even if it feels inconvenient, you're still called to serve. It turned out to be wonderful and I really enjoyed the experience, both of working with Sec. Mattis, but also getting back to spending time with airmen. And so it turned out to be wonderful, but it wasn't what I expected.
Naviere Walkewicz 02:25
Well, you said it, ma'am. As we know, service and leadership aren't linear, and so we're really excited to dive into som
In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Co-Hosts Naviere Walkewicz and Wyatt Hornsby reflect on the leadership lessons shared by accomplished graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy over the first two seasons.
SUMMARY
The hosts highlight key moments and insights from various guests, emphasizing the importance of personal connections, resilience, and the role of mentorship in leadership. They discuss the unique experiences of leaders like Coach Troy Calhoun, Brigadier General Gavin P. Marks, Nicole Malachowski, Madison Marsh, Lieutenant General BJ Schwedo, and Carl Falk, showcasing how their journeys can inspire others in their leadership paths.
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TAKEAWAYS
- Leadership is deeply personal and requires understanding your people.
- The importance of resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
- Mentorship plays a crucial role in developing future leaders.
- Building relationships is essential in leadership roles.
- Knowing your craft enhances credibility and effectiveness as a leader.
- Leadership is about doing good and positively impacting others' lives.
- Embracing vulnerability can lead to personal and professional growth.
- It's important to risk failure in pursuit of big dreams.
- Support from family and mentors can shape one's career trajectory.
- Leaders should encourage others to pursue their passions and dreams.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Celebrating Leadership Lessons from the Air Force Academy
02:11 Highlighting Coach Troy Calhoun's Leadership Philosophy
08:09 Insights from Brigadier General Gavin P. Marks
12:59 Nicole Malachowski: Overcoming Setbacks and Embracing Dreams
19:09 Madison Marsh: A Journey of Resilience and Purpose
23:27 Lessons from Lieutenant General BJ Schwedo on Future Conflict
28:23 Karl Falk: The Importance of Support and Grit in Leadership
ABOUT THE HOSTS
BIOS
LT. COL. (RET.) NAVIERE WALKEWICZ ’99
Senior Vice President, Engagement
With over two decades in leadership roles, my current focus at the Association of Graduates - U.S. Air Force Academy is fostering a robust network of 50,000+ alumni. This commitment involves igniting a culture of engagement and inclusivity, underpinned by a strong foundation in support of our Air Force Academy.
- BIO COPY CREDIT: LINKEDIN.COM
MR. WYATT HORNSBY
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications | Executive Editor & Writer
Wyatt Hornsby is passionate about developing marketing and communications talent and cohesive, high-performance teams. He is senior vice president of marketing and communications at the Air Force Academy Foundation and the Association of Graduates. He leads the work of the foundation and alumni association marketing and communications division, while also coordinating with various Air Force Academy offices, including Public Affairs and Strategic Communications.
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Send your feedback or nominate a guest at: socialmedia@usafa.org
TED ROBERTSON: Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org
Multimedia and Podcast Specialist | LBL Podcast Network Producer and Editor
RYAN HALL: Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org
Assistant Director of Multimedia Production | LBL Podcast Network Director
BRYAN GROSSMAN: Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org
Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Publications | LBL Podcast Network Copy Editor
WYATT HORNSBY: Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications | Executive Editor & Writer | LBL Podcast Network Executive Producer
FULL TRANSCRIPT
SPEAKERS
Co-Hosts: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 | Mr. Wyatt Hornsby
Guests: Coach Troy Calhoun ’89; Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks ’96; Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96; 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23; Gen. BJ Schwedo ’87; Mr. Karl Falk ’98, Mr. Ted Robertson
Naviere Walkewicz 00:20
Welcome to our Long Blue Leadership retrospective. We're celebrating our first two seasons and the countless leadership lessons shared by some of the most accomplished United States Air Force Academy graduates.
Wyatt Hornsby 00:31
Naviere, seasons 1 and 2 have showcased amazing leadership stories and takeaways. From the very start, Long Blue Leadership has given listeners an inside look at real experiences, insights and advice from seasoned leaders, as well as those just beginning their leadership journeys. These deep dives have explored how leaders not only face challenges head-on but also find ways to inspire and empower those around them.
Naviere Walkewicz 00:58
Yes, what really sets this podcast apart is the mix of our guests’ perspectives on leadership. These discussions have touched on teamwork, perseverance, humility, excellence and service before self.
Wyatt Hornsby 01:12
In this edition of Long Blue Leadership, we're sharing a few of our favorite moments. Not easy, because there are so many. Plus, we'll give you a preview of Season 3, which launches soon.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:23
And so, without further ado, Wyatt, let's get into our Long Blue Leadership podcast.
Wyatt Hornsby
Let's do it, Naviere.
Naviere Walkewicz
Some of our favorite moments. This was not easy to do at all.
Wyatt Hornsby 01:33
Indeed, it was not easy. Two seasons — and Naviere, while we're at it, I just want to congratulate you; awesome job on hosting Long Blue Leadership, and also a little plug for our friend Doug Lindsay as well for doing a great job as host.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:46
It’s been an amazing journey, and I think the biggest thing for me has been just being able to share some of the stories of our graduates. So, like we said, picking just a few of them was really hard, but it's been just a beautiful transformation of where we started and where we're going in Season 3.
Wyatt Hornsby 02:01
It's been wonderful storytelling, and I hope that our listeners have been able to take away some great actionable insights for their own leadership journeys, whether they're Academy graduates or others seeking to develop as leaders.
Naviere Walkewicz 02:13
I know I personally took some things away from all of these conversations. I think some of them we’ll highlight today.
Wyatt Hornsby 02:18
Wonderful. Let's do it. Looking forward to it.
Naviere Walkewicz 02:21
So, I think you might have the first one you wanted to highlight.
Wyatt Hornsby 02:24
So Naviere, as we said, I mean, it's so difficult to find our favorites. I mean, there are just so many across seasons 1 and 2. But I'm going to tell you, I was so struck by Coach Troy Calhoun, Class of ’89. That conversation was absolutely awesome. And a couple of things stood out to me, and we'll listen to a clip from our conversation with Coach Calhoun, but a couple things that stood out to me was, I think a lot of people, when they think about Coach Calhoun and him coming on to do a conversation, they're probably going to expect him to talk about the Xs and Os and strategy and how the Falcons are looking for the season. But in this case, what Coach Calhoun did was he came in and he talked about his own leadership journey all the way from the beginning growing up in Oregon. And I just think that throughout the conversation, we learned a lot about him as a person, his family, his formative experiences. And really what I took away from it additionally, was the unique importance of athletics at the Academy, and how Coach Calhoun and his program, like all sports at USAFA, are developing leaders of character for our Air Force and Space Force. Just an awesome conversation.
Naviere Walkewicz 03:37
It was an awesome conversation. I think it really talks about — one of the things that stood out, I think, in the clip that you picked up is really about how he views leadership and taking care of people. Let’s give it a listen.
Wyatt Hornsby
Indeed.
Troy Calhoun 03:49
You need to be doing something that you love, that you're passionate about. And the other part is, again, just the involvement that you have with your people. And, you know, to get in there, literally, where you're hip to hip and shoulder to shoulder. And I think sometimes, whether you're in a leadership role or maybe you have a certain rank, you think, “Well, I can't do that in order to maintain my distance professionally.” And I wholeheartedly disagree. I think you have to be able to operate from different perspectives as a leader. I think, clearly, you can still articulate and live the standards that are a part of your operation or your unit or your football program. But again, it's about people.
Naviere Walkewicz 04:46
Well said. It really is.
Wyatt Hornsby 04:47
Well said. Earlier in the conversation too, he had a point where he talked about three things, his philosophy of leadership. You talked to him about his philosophy of leadership. He talked about, as he said in that clip, being right there alongside your people. He talked about knowing your craft incredibly well — not just strategy, but also tactics. And as he mentioned in that clip really well, getting to know your people as humans and what makes them tick. It’s easy to, listening to that conversation, it's easy to see why Coach Calhoun has been here for such a long time and been so successful as head football coach.
Naviere Walkewicz 05:25
I think one of the lines I remember him sharing about when we talked about leadership was — I think I asked him, like, “It seems like it's really personal,” and he says, “Absolutely, leadership is personal.” It's about being… understanding who, you know, what's going on in their lives, because if you can understand what they're going through, then you can help them through some challenges and move them to, you know, whatever everyone else is working through together. And so, I really appreciated that he talks about getting to know his people on a personal level, and he challenges all of his coaches to do the same. I think there
In Episode 10 of Long Blue Leadership, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field ’79, now president and CEO of the Air & Space Forces Association, discusses his leadership philosophy, and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, effective communication, family, and the five core values by which he lives. Listen now!
SUMMARY
Burt Field, a retired Lieutenant General and CEO of the Air and Space Forces Association, discussed his career and leadership philosophy. He highlighted his upbringing as an Air Force brat, his academic journey at the Air Force Academy, and his early leadership roles. Field emphasized the importance of continuous learning, effective communication, and avoiding being an "asshole" in leadership. He shared impactful experiences, such as leading during the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, and the significance of family support. Field also discussed the Air and Space Forces Association's efforts in advocacy, education, and family resilience, stressing the need for strong national security and defense.
LEADERSHIP BITES
Values-Driven Leadership: Burt shared his 5 core leadership values - integrity, fortitude, excellence, teamwork, and service. Defining your values and using them to guide your decisions and actions is crucial.
Continuous Learning: Burt emphasized that as a leader, you can never stop learning, whether it's about your organization, industry, or even topics outside your expertise. Staying curious and open to growth is key.
Empowering Others: Burt stressed that a leader's job is to empower and inspire their team, not try to do everything themselves. Recognizing and rewarding excellence in others is vital.
Effective Communication: Burt noted that leaders can never communicate too much or well enough. Repeatedly delivering clear, consistent messages is essential for alignment and buy-in.
Humility and Inclusivity: True leadership requires humility, giving credit to others, and making the organization successful.
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TAKEAWAYS
Never stop learning. As a leader, you must continuously learn and expand your knowledge, even in areas outside your expertise.
Define your leadership philosophy and values. Burt shared his 5 core values of integrity, fortitude, excellence, teamwork, and service. Having a clear set of guiding principles is crucial.
Recognize and reward excellence. Identify and empower those who have put in the hard work to become experts in their fields. This builds a strong, capable team.
Communicate effectively, repeatedly. Effective communication is critical, but leaders often underestimate how many times a message needs to be delivered clearly.
Burt emphasized the importance of being inclusive, giving credit, and making the organization successful rather than yourself. Avoid toxic, self-serving leadership.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to General Burt Field
01:52 Growing Up as an Air Force Brat
05:40 Choosing the Air Force Academy
10:26 Life as a Cadet at the Academy
19:09 Leadership Development During Cadet Years
23:15 The Integration of Women at the Academy
24:12 Influential Leaders in General Field's Career
28:28 Learning from Subordinates
34:15 Career Path and Leadership Philosophy
37:54 A Chance Encounter: Love and Military Life
41:13 Building Resilient Families in the Military
42:12 The Journey to Leadership: From Air Force to AFA
45:57 Empowering the Next Generation: Education and STEM
49:46 Leadership Lessons: Insights from Experience
5 FRANK KEYS TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS
"You can never stop learning. You have to learn. And whether it's leadership or anything else, you have to always learn."
"Everything comes from your values. When I make leadership decisions, or when I look at how we're going to move forward, or what, how we're going to accomplish the mission, it should reflect those values in my decisions, how I act, how I from the biggest thing of creating a here's the strategy, or in objectives on on what we're going to accomplish, to the smallest things, like how I conduct a meeting."
"If you want to be a really good leader, you need to be really good at something. So you got to put in the work when you're young to be really good and understand how hard it is to be really good at something."
"You cannot communicate enough, and you cannot communicate well enough. So I use this example all the time. I come up with a message. I craft it, I think about it, I write it down, I practice it, and then I deliver it, and it's awesome. I was perfect. I nobody could have misunderstood me when I'm done with that, and I really think that I have hit the mark with maybe 20% I probably got to say that again, that way or differently, about another 10 or 15 times when I can barely stand to hear myself talk anymore, and I'm still not going to get everybody."
"I'm going to give the credit and I'm going to take the blame. That's how you become a good leader."
- Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field ’79, October 2024
ABOUT GEN. FIELD
BIO
Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.), is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Air & Space Forces Association, leading the Association’s professional staff in its mission to advocate, educate, and support the Air & Space Forces. As CEO, he oversees operations and resourcing for AFA and its 113,000 members, including events, publications, and the Mitchell Institue for Aerospace Studies, the nation’s only think tank dedicated to air and space power.
A veteran of 35 years of Air Force service, Field retired from active duty in 2015 following his final tour, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Requirements. Throughout his career, Field commanded a squadron, the Air Force Weapons School, three wings, a numbered Air Force, and a sub-unified command. A command pilot with over 3,400 flying hours in the F-16 and F-22, he served twice on the Joint Staff and completed a tour in the State Department as the military assistant to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. In his last assignment, he led policy and requirements decision-making for air, space, irregular warfare, counter-proliferation, homeland security, and cyber operations. Prior to that assignment, he served as the Commander of United States Forces, Japan, and Commander of 5th Air Force from 2010-2012 where he led the U.S. military response to support Japan during the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster of 2011.
Following his retirement, he served as the Vice President of Strategic Planning for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, developing strategies that guided and contributed to over $5 billion in growth in a five-year period. He also managed a $500 million New Business Funds portfolio for independent research and development. Since 2020, he has been an independent defense consultant, served as a subject matter expert working with and mentoring Airmen at all levels, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation.
Field graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1979 and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. He and his wife, Lisa, have two sons, both officers in the USAF.
- Bio image and copy credit: AFA.org
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TRANSCRIPT
SPEAKERS
GUEST: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field ’79 | Host: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:00
My guest today is Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field USAFA Class of ’79, president and CEO of the Air & Space Forces Association. He spent 35 years in the Air Force, retiring in 2015 as deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements. Gen. Field has held many positions of leadership throughout his career, including squadron command, the Air Force Weapons School and three wings. He has served as a command pilot with over 3,400 hours in the F-16 and F-22. He completed a tour in the State Department as the military assistant to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. He has also served as the commander of United States Forces, Japan, and commander of the 5th Air Force from 2010 to 2012. In his post military career, he served as vice president of strategic planning for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. He has been an independent defense consultant and has served as a subject matter expert, working with and mentoring airmen. He is also a member of the board of trustees for the United States Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation. Today, we'll talk with Gen. Field about his life before, during and after the Academy. We'll discuss his role in leading the Air & Space Forces Association. And finally, we'll ask the general to share advice in leadership development. Gen. Field, welcome to Long Blue Leadership.
Burt Field 01:23
Thank you, Naviere. Please call me Burt.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:24
OK, yes, sir, Burt. Will do. And I will say that was quite an introduction. You have had an incredible and ongoing career.
Burt Field 01:30
Well, frankly, and no false modesty, I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time and take advantage of the opportunities presented to me.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:39
Well, I appreciate you saying that, and I think our listeners are really going to enjoy hearing about what some of those right places at the right time kind of look like. But here's what we do at Long Blue Leadership: We like to rewind the clock a little bit and start with Burt as a child. What were you like growing up? Where was home?
Burt Field 01:56
Well, I'm an Air Force brat. My dad was a fighter pilot. I like to say his first assignment was the Korean War, flying F-86s and his last flight was in an F-4 over Han
Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 shares her insights on leadership, resilience, resurgence, perseverance, advocacy, and how she continues to serve her country, even after her military career.
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A SHOW NOTE: There are two ways to learn from Col. Malachowski's leadership journey.
- If you're short on time, the audio version delivers the highlights of her stories in 40 minutes. Her leadership bites, takeaways, keys to leadership and transcript are below.
- The video version is 1:46:00 and is well worth the investment of your time. This version includes stories and details about the Colonel's journey she hasn't shared before. Click the "Play" button in the video above and settle in for a most enlightening conversation.
SUMMARY
Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 is a trailblazer who has broken barriers in both military aviation and advocacy. She was one of the first women to fly combat fighter aircraft, accruing more than 2,300 flight hours in six different aircraft and serving in multiple high-stakes missions, including Operations Deliberate Forge and Iraqi Freedom.
But her story doesn’t end there. As the first woman to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, a White House Fellow, and a key advisor on military and veterans' issues, Nicole’s career has been defined by leadership at the highest levels. After being medically retired due to a Tick-Borne Illness, she turned her focus to advocacy, leading efforts to improve care for the wounded, ill, and injured service members through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program.
Now a passionate advocate for Tick-Borne Disease research, Nicole serves on several national committees and advisory boards, including the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.
NICOLE'S LEADERHIP BITES
"Leadership is a journey."
"The runway behind you is always unusable."
"Don't think you have to be perfect to be a leader."
"Believe those who believe in you."
"Nobody wants to lead a scripted life."
"Courage, compassion, and curiosity drive me today."
"It's okay to admit when you make mistakes."
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TAKEAWAYS
Leadership is personal - It's about understanding what motivates and drives each individual on your team, and tailoring your approach accordingly.
Believe in those who believe in you - Mentors like Mick Jaggers who supported and encouraged Nicole were pivotal in her development as a leader.
Don't write yourself or others out of the script - As General Matthews told Nicole, "Nobody wants to lead a scripted life." Embrace opportunities to dream big and take risks.
Radical acceptance is key - When Nicole's military career ended unexpectedly, learning to accept the situation allowed her to move forward and find new purpose.
Personal values guide your path - Nicole's core values of courage, compassion and curiosity have been instrumental in navigating life's challenges and reinventing herself.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Journey of Leadership
02:01 Colonel Malachowski's Early Life and Aspirations
06:01 Navigating the Air Force Academy
09:46 Leadership Lessons from Soaring
14:07 Overcoming Challenges in Pilot Training
17:50 Key Leadership Experiences in the Air Force
21:59 Becoming a Thunderbird Pilot
25:47 Transitioning to Civilian Life
30:02 Advocacy and New Beginnings
34:09 Personal Values and Resilience
37:54 Final Thoughts on Leadership
NICOLE'S KEYS TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS
Leadership is a journey that requires growth and learning.
It's okay to admit mistakes and seek help.
Resilience is key to overcoming challenges.
Personal values guide decision-making and actions.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional development.
Failure is often the price of entry for success.
Authentic leadership is about understanding and connecting with people.
The importance of representation in leadership roles.
Transitioning to civilian life can be a new beginning.
Embrace opportunities and seize the moment.
ABOUT NICOLE
BIO
Colonel Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) is a pioneering leader whose distinguished career spans combat aviation, military advocacy, and public service. As one of the first women to fly fighter jets, Nicole’s journey included over 188 combat hours and multiple leadership roles, including F-15E Flight Commander, Instructor Pilot, and Flight Lead. She also made history as the first woman to fly with the USAF Thunderbirds.
Throughout her career, Nicole demonstrated exceptional leadership, serving in high-level roles such as a White House Fellow and Executive Director of the ‘Joining Forces’ program, where she advised the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden on veterans' issues.
After being medically retired due to a neurological Tick-Borne Illness, Nicole transitioned to a new mission: advocating for service members, veterans, and others impacted by chronic illnesses. She’s a leader in the national Tick-Borne Disease community, serving on key advisory boards and government committees, and actively mentoring wounded veterans through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program.
Nicole is also a sought-after speaker, author, and consultant, sharing her experiences of overcoming adversity and breaking barriers to inspire the next generation of leaders. Her accomplishments include two master's degrees, induction into the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame, and founding her own speaking and consulting firm.
Today, Nicole continues to serve and lead, using her story to drive change and impact communities across the country.
- Adapted from Col. Malachowski's bio at nicholemalachowski.com
READ NICOLE'S FULL STORY HERE
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ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
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ABRIDGED AUDIO TRANSCRIPT
DOWNLOAD THE UNABRIDGED VIDEO TRANSCRIPT HERE
SPEAKERS
GUEST: Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 | HOST: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
SPEAKERS
Naviere Walkewicz, Nicole Malachowski
Nicole Malachowski 00:11
You know, leadership is a journey. We're always put into positions that we're supposed to grow into. Don't think you have to be perfect to be a leader. It's okay to admit when you make mistakes, it's okay to ask for help, and it's okay to have failures, as long as you overcome them. And I like to remind folks at all levels of leadership, you know that the runway behind you is always unusable. All you ever have is the runway that's in front of you.
Naviere Walkewicz 00:34
My guest today is Colonel Retired Nicole Malachowski, USAFA class of ’96. Her career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Colonel Malachowski is perhaps best known as the first woman to fly as a pilot with the Thunderbirds, a singular distinction that set her path to reaching even greater heights. However, what you might not know is that her journey took an unexpected turn when she faced a sudden life altering loss of her place in the Air Force. The challenges that followed were extreme and personal, but through them, Colonel malikowski demonstrated a resilience and strength that not only transformed her own life, but also empowered her to help others with their own struggles. In today's conversation, we'll dive deep into the personal and professional journey that led her to transition to civilian life, the lessons she learned from the hardships she faced along the way, and how she now advocates for others, sharing the wisdom she's gained from the tough battles she's fought and won. We'll also take a look back at her time at the academy, her experiences as a pilot and the leadership principles that have guided Colonel malikowski, she has become a powerful voice for resilience, perseverance and leadership, and I'm excited to hear her insights on all of these topics. Colonel Malachowski, may I call you Nicole?
Nicole Malachowski 02:34
Yes, please.
Naviere Walkewicz 02:34
Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, and thank you for being here.
Nicole Malachowski 02:37
Thank you for having me.
Naviere Walkewicz 02:38
It's a pleasure. It truly is. I think one of the things that's so exciting for our listeners is really getting to know you. And you know, I think there's no question about who you are in the media, I mean, all the things you've accomplished, but some things that are most special is when we just sit down and kind of get to know you behind the scenes.
Nicole Malachowski 02:53
Indeed, let's do it.
Naviere Walkewicz 02:54
So let's go back to even before the Academy. Where did you grow up? Where are you from? And what were you like as a little girl?
Nicole Malachowski 03:00
Sure, yeah. So I was actually born in central California, in a town called Santa Maria, and I was born, I consider very lucky, because I was born a woman in America, so there was a lot of opportunities, you know, afforded to me. Also very lucky to be born into a solid, you know, middle class family, you know, I was a kid who always had a roof over my head and food on the table, which makes it a lot easier, right, for you to seize opportunities and to be your best. And think it's important that we acknowledge that not everybody is born into that position. And so I was very, very lucky, I will tell you, I was definitely the loner, definitely an introvert. Always have been. A lot of people would be surprised by that, but I am a solid INFJ on the Myers Briggs, but as a young kid, just very quiet, kept to myself. I was very much a dreamer, very curious about things, so I loved to dive into books. I loved school. I was the kid that would take my lunch box, you know, out into the middle of the football field by myself and just stare up at the sky and the clouds moving by, and dre
In this episode of the Long Blue Leadership Podcast, Cadet First Class Andrew Cormier opens up about his inspiring journey from growing up in Massachusetts to becoming a squadron commander at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He reflects on the early influences that shaped his values, the value of community service and service before self, sharing the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way.
SUMMARY
Andrew also talks about launching his own podcast, designed to help fellow cadets explore their career paths and grow as leaders. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the importance of understanding diverse career opportunities, the personal growth that comes from podcasting, and the power of community engagement. With a focus on national pride and perspective, he emphasizes that true leadership is about serving others—putting the team first rather than seeking personal recognition.
5 QUOTES
"It's not about you. It's not about you. It's about the team."
"When you're a leader, it's your job. There shouldn't be any extra, you know, kudos given to you. Everyone has their own piece in the puzzle, and just because your face is more prominent than others does not mean that the mission is any less doable with like one piece missing or another piece missing."
"I just really urge people to try to understand other people's perspectives and listen more than they talk, because those pieces for me, like I'm a Pretty staunch capitalist, but I recently bought the Communist Manifesto. I want to understand where these ideas stem from."
"American ideals are amazing, and they need to be protected. And in order for me to have any say in that, I need to have skin in the game. And that's what I look at my service as is me gaining skin in the game."
"It's not difficult, it's just super time consuming and kind of annoying. And so, I mean, it even like stays true to today, everything I have to do isn't necessarily difficult. I'm a management major. I don't know what the Astro or aero people are going through. I'm sure that's very difficult. But for me, it's more just like getting the reps in it, and it's very gradual."
- C1C Andrew Cormier ’25, October 2024
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CHAPTERS
00:00: Introduction to Cadet Andrew Cormier
02:52: Andrew's Early Life and Background
05:52: Discovering the Military Path
08:46: Community Service and Humanitarian Efforts
12:10: Transitioning to the Air Force Academy
15:07: Experiences in Basic Training
17:57: Leadership and Followership at the Academy
20:47: Becoming a Squadron Commander
24:11: The Role of a Squadron Commander
27:12: Starting the Podcast Journey
34:54: Understanding Career Paths in the Air Force
39:30: The Impact of Podcasting on Personal Growth
44:45: Engagement and Value in the Cadet Community
52:36: Navigating Post-Graduation Decisions
01:00:05: The Importance of National Pride and Perspective
01:04:53: Leadership Lessons: It's Not About You
ANDREW'S 5 KEYS TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS
Leadership is not about you, it's about the team. As a leader, your job is to represent and protect your people, not focus on personal privileges.
Seek to understand different perspectives and listen more than you talk. Don't take American ideals and freedoms for granted - they need to be actively defended.
Balance future planning with living in the present. Don't become overly fixated on the future at the expense of enjoying the moment.
Perseverance, critical thinking, and resourcefulness are key to success. Rely on these core strengths rather than trying to control everything.
Diverse experiences and mentorship are invaluable. Seek out advice from those who have walked the path you want to follow, and be open to learning from a variety of backgrounds.
ABOUT ANDREW
BIO
C1C Andrew D. Cormier is a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, CO. Cadet Cormier is the commander of squadron 15, the Mighty War Eagles. C1C Cormier is originally from Fitchburg, MA and entered the Air Force Academy in June of 2021 following his lifelong passion to “serve others.” Throughout his cadet career he has held the squadron position of Diversity & Inclusion NCO and Spark Innovator, but on an unofficial level has hosted the “For the Zoomies” podcast interviewing over 75 officers to better understand their experiences in the Air Force for the sake of helping cadets make career decisions, as well as been a widely trusted barber in the dormitories. C1C Cormier plans to complete his Bachelor of Science in Business Management in May 2025. Immediately following graduation he intends to commission as a Second Leiutenant in the U.S. Air Force and become an Acquisitions Officer.
- Copy and Image Credit: Andrew Cormier
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RECOMMENDED LISTENING: FOR THE ZOOMIES PODCAST
with C1C Andrew Cormier
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ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
FULL TRANSCRIPT
SPEAKERS
GUEST: C1C Andrew Cormier | HOST: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:00
My guest today is Cadet 1st Class Andrew Cormier, USAFA Class of ’25. Andrew stands out among the finest examples of those who have taken the service-before-self aspect of their work as developing leaders very seriously. In Andrew's case, he helps and supports his fellow cadets by guiding them to their optimal career paths through the guests and their experiences on his podcast. This is a new approach for Long Blue Leadership, and one we think you'll appreciate, because we're looking at leadership through the eyes of one who both follows and leads, thriving in both spaces. We'll talk with Andrew about his life before and during his time at the Academy. We'll ask where he's headed when he graduates. We'll discuss the role he's taken on as a podcaster, and we'll ask how he's successfully led and followed. We'll end with Andrew's takeaways and leadership tips. Andrew, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. We're so glad you're here.
Andrew Cormier
Thanks for having me, Naviere.
Naviere Walkewicz
Absolutely. So it's got to be a little bit different being on the other side of the podcast mic.
Andrew Cormier
Yeah, no, it's definitely interesting to be here. I've done a few before, but they weren't in person, and this was like the highest quality, so I have a little bit of imposter syndrome, not gonna lie.
Naviere Walkewicz
Oh goodness. Well, we'll learn from each other, right? I think that's the best. We can always be learning; we can always get better. So, I'm excited to take in some of the things that you do as well. Feel really good about that. Well, one of the things we like to do on Long Blue Leadership is we rewind the clock a little bit. Some clocks are further rewound back than others, and so I'm really excited to kind of get to know. Where were you before the Academy? Where'd you grow up? What was life like?
Andrew Cormier
OK, I'm not as chronologically advanced, like, relative to maybe my experience in high school. I grew up in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, lot of pride coming from the East Coast. My parents, my dad, he worked as a general contractor, so I spent a lot of summers laying tile, you know, doing framing houses, all that sort of stuff, just like, you know, a general laborer. Honestly, just like sweeping up a lot of dust and mess, as he actually did all the hard work. And then I went to a tech school, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School. That's a mouthful, but I went there mostly because my brother went there. I wasn't a huge decision maker back then, like I consider myself somewhat now. And I studied machine technology, and working on metal pieces like running lathes and mill machines and electronic discharge machines, just to — I didn't really know what preparing for the future was like, but that was the kind of path I was on. But then, I grew up playing hockey and lacrosse, and I realized that I had an opportunity with that somewhat, and I was traveling the East Coast playing lacrosse. Think it was after a tournament in Ashton, Pennsylvania, me and my dad got a phone call from Coach Wilson, the Air Force Academy lacrosse coach, saying, “Hey, we saw you play this weekend. We'd love to have you out.” And so that's like a really quick rundown of where I come from, but I guess moral of the story: I really appreciate the background, the kind of blue-collar experiences that I've had when it comes to growing up in Massachusetts.
Naviere Walkewicz
No, that's awesome. And I think it's, it's great know that you're not afraid to get your hands dirty, to work hard and grit. I mean, that kind of is also synonymous with hockey. I feel like you work hard, you dig. So let's talk about that a little bit more. Older brother then. So you're one of two? Any other siblings?
Andrew Cormier
Yeah, just me and my brother.
Naviere Walkewicz
OK, and so what was it like growing up with an older brother? You know, were you always the one that he got to test things on? Or what did that look like?
Andrew Cormier
No, my brother — he's about three and a half years older than me, so we never really were in school at the same time. He was always, four grades ahead. So we went to all the same schools, but he was leaving just as soon as I was arriving. But no, he was a great big brother. I was more of like the wild child, me and my mom will sometimes look at the family videos, and it's me kind of just being this goofball, like not appreciating things, like complaining, whining, all this stuff while Zach's over here, trying to help me. Like, I remember this video: We lived in this house where the driveway was very steep, and so we would just like drive our little li
Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy Installations and Environment, is a leader who has taught his team to, "Eat no for breakfast." He lives by a value he learned from his mother at an early age: "If you do your full duty, the rest will take care of itself."
SUMMARY
In this edition of Long Blue Leadership, Dr. Chaudhary discusses his role in modernizing and reoptimizing Air Force installations to withstand kinetic, cyber, economic, and extreme weather threats. He emphasizes the importance of ruggedizing installations for the Great Power Competition. Dr. Chaudhary shares his background, including his upbringing in Minneapolis and his parents' immigrant journey, and highlights the values instilled in him. He also discusses his work on the implementation of microgrids and microreactors to enhance energy resilience at critical installations like Eielson Air Force Base.
5 QUOTES
"If you do your full duty, the rest will take care of itself." - This quote from Dr. Chaudhary's mother reflects the importance of dedication and doing one's job well.
"We eat no for breakfast." - This quote highlights Dr. Chaudhary's team's determination to not accept limitations and push boundaries.
"Love what you do. Love our nation." - Dr. Chaudhary emphasizes the importance of passion and patriotism in leadership.
"America is not about what goes on entirely in Washington. It's about neighbors. It's about what you do for your neighbors." - This quote reflects Dr. Chaudhary's belief in the power of community and service.
"Get out of the way and let them in." - Dr. Chaudhary's advice on enabling the next generation of leaders to excel.
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ravi Chaudhary and His Role
03:07 The Importance of Air Force Installations
06:08 Dr. Chaudhary's Early Life and Family Background
09:03 Lessons from Family: Service and Community
11:52 Reflections on the Air Force Academy Experience
14:54 Leadership Lessons from Cadet Days
18:01 The Role of Innovation in the Air Force
20:48 Strategic Imperatives for Future Operations
23:59 Optimism for the Future of the Air Force Academy
25:07 A Lifelong Dream: Becoming a Pilot
27:31 Launching Innovations: The GPS Program
28:36 Inspiring the Next Generation of Pilots
30:14 Adapting to Modern Challenges in Aviation
32:40 Navigating Change: The Evolution of Standards
34:57 Learning from Failure: A Personal Journey
35:42 The Role of the Assistant Secretary
38:55 Preparing for Great Power Competition
41:09 Innovative Energy Solutions for the Future
44:58 Leadership Lessons and Final Thoughts
5 KEYS TO LEADERSHIP
Embrace failures as opportunities for growth. Dr. Chaudhary shared how his failures, like failing a check ride, ultimately helped him grow as a leader.
Keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity. Dr. Chaudhary emphasized the importance of keeping your "legs moving" and not giving up when faced with challenges.
Leverage the bonds formed with your team. Dr. Chaudhary highlighted how the bonds he formed with his classmates at the Academy carried over into his missions, demonstrating the power of camaraderie.
Empower and enable the next generation. Dr. Chaudhary expressed optimism about the capabilities of the current cadets and emphasized the need to get out of their way and let them excel.
Maintain a service-oriented, patriotic mindset. Dr. Chaudhary's passion for serving his country and community was evident throughout the interview, underscoring the importance of this mindset in effective leadership.
ABOUT DR. CHAUDHARY ’93
BIO
Dr. Ravi I. Chaudhary is the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment, Department of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Chaudhary is responsible for the formulation, review and execution of plans, policies, programs, and budgets to meet Air Force energy, installations, environment, safety, and occupational health objectives.
Dr. Chaudhary most recently served as the acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy. Prior to this role, he served as the Director of Advanced Programs and Innovation, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, at the Federal Aviation Administration. He provided technical leadership and oversight for the commercial space industry, to include research and development activities to support Department of Transportation and White House National Space Council initiatives.
Prior to this role, he served as Executive Director, Regions and Center Operations, at the FAA. In this role, he was responsible for leadership, integration and execution of aviation operations in nine regions nationwide. Dr. Chaudhary served as second in command to the Deputy Assistant Administrator and was responsible for providing Department of Transportation and FAA-wide services in the areas of operations, safety, policy, congressional outreach and emergency readiness for the National Aerospace System.
Dr. Chaudhary commissioned in the Air Force in 1993 upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. He completed 21 years of service in a variety of command, flying, engineering and senior staff assignments in the Air Force. As a C-17 pilot, he conducted global flight operations, including numerous combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as a ground deployment as Director of the Personnel Recovery Center, Multi-National Corps, Iraq. As a flight test engineer, he was responsible for flight certification of military avionics and hardware for Air Force modernization programs supporting flight safety and mishap prevention. Earlier in his career, he supported space launch operations for the Global Positioning System and led third stage and flight safety activities to ensure full-operational capability of the first GPS constellation. As a systems engineer, he supported NASA’s International Space Station protection activities to ensure the safety of NASA Astronauts. Dr. Chaudhary is a DoD Level III Acquisition Officer and has published numerous articles in future strategy, aircraft design, business transformation and space operations.
- Bio Copy Credit to AF.MIL
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ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
FULL TRANSCRIPT
OUR SPEAKERS
Guest, The Honorable Dr. Ravi I. Chaudhary ’93 | Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:00
My guest today is the assistant secretary of the Air Force for energy installations and environment, the Honorable Dr. Ravi Chaudhary USAFA, Class of ’93. Against the backdrop of Great Power Competition, Dr. Chaudhry leads the modernization and reoptimization of the Air Force to ruggedize our installations across the globe against what he describes as kinetic threats, as well as non-kinetic cyber, economic and extreme weather threats. He has served as acting deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for energy; the director of advanced programs and innovation, Office of Commercial Space Transportation at the Federal Aviation Administration; and he has led in the commercial space industry research and development in the support of the Department of Transportation and the White House, National Space Council. We'll talk with Dr. Chaudhry about his life before, during and after the Academy. We'll discuss his role, modernizing and re-optimizing initiatives and strategies for the Air Force. We'll touch on leading through new and changing threats and making decisions with climate in mind, and we'll discuss Dr. Chaudhary's work with the secretary of the Air Force and leadership at the base, command and warfighter levels. Finally, we'll ask Dr. Chaudhary to share advice for developing and advanced leaders. Dr. Chaudhary, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. We're so glad to have you.
Dr. Chaudhary 01:18
Navier, thank you so much. Thank you for that way too kind of an introduction, and I only have one regret. On this weekend, did you have to mention that I was in the Navy for a little while? You just about blew me away. I know you've got some white clear liquid here. I'm just about ready to find out what the clear liquid is.
Naviere Walkewicz
Cheers.
Dr. Chaudhary 01:40
Off we go, and we'll let our audience speculate, and depending on how it goes, we'll critique ourselves. Just an honor to be here, and congrats to you on your career of service in the Air Force.
Naviere Walkewicz
Thank you so much. This is truly a pleasure. And I think what we love about Long Blue Leadership is it's really about our listeners getting to know you. And we have so many different listeners that are really excited. So let's start with the hat. I've noticed we've got a hat on right here. “Air Force Installations: Best in the World.” Let's talk about it.
Dr. Chaudhary
Yeah, let's talk about that. Because we do have the best installations in the world. Our installations are power projection platforms. Every Air Force installation has a mission that begins and terminates with it. If you go all the way back in our history, Gen. Hap Arnold had this to say about our installations: “Air bases are the determining factor in air operations.” Think about that. Think about why we need to make sure that our installations are ready to go, and why we invest in them as an Air Force. It's because you can't get the jets out of town unless they have a good runway that works, unless they are hardened and ready to absorb the types of blows that have come to us in the past. And I'm telling you right now that we've got to be ready for this future, in a decade of consequence in Great Power Competition. We've got to focus on ruggedizing and ensuring that our installations are a
Brian Campbell, Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development at the University of Miami, shares his journey from growing up in Columbus, Ohio, to becoming a leader in athletics fundraising, his experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy, the challenges he faced, and the resilience he developed.
SUMMARY
In this conversation, Brian Campbell, Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development at the University of Miami, shares his journey from growing up in Columbus, Ohio, to becoming a leader in athletics fundraising. He discusses his experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy, the challenges he faced, and the resilience he developed. Brian emphasizes the importance of leadership, surrounding oneself with great people, and the impact of private investment in athletics. He also reflects on his transition from military to civilian life and his current role in shaping the future of athletics at UM.
OUR TOP 5 FAVORITE QUOTES
"I think it's important to be really authentic with people, and that has worked. It's worked well for me, especially when those decisions are consistent with being authentic to what we're trying to accomplish."
"I think a lot about the elements that we put into it, because it's hard on a daily basis to know if you're doing a good job being a leader, but if you take those pieces of the fabric that we learned at the Academy, and you keep doing it the right way and thinking about these things and surrounding yourself by people with with surrounding yourself with people of those kinds of values, and people that you can take little pieces of what they do and try to try to bring them with You. I think it's the right road."
"I don't think I've arrived as a leader and I but I started to think that I probably that I would be willing to bet that General Clark might say the same thing, and Coach Calhoun might say the same thing. So I think it's always a work in process."
"If you take those pieces of the fabric that we learned at the Academy, and you keep doing it the right way and thinking about these things and surrounding yourself by people with with surrounding yourself with people of those kinds of values, and people that you can take little pieces of what they do and try to try to bring them with You. I think it's the right road."
"I think it's always a work in process, but I think it's important to be really authentic with people, and that has worked. It's worked well for me, especially when those decisions are consistent with being authentic to what we're trying to accomplish."
- Brian Campbell ’08, the Long Blue Leadership Podcast
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CHAPTERS
00:00: Introduction to Brian Campbell
02:52: Growing Up in Columbus and Early Athletic Influences
06:14: The Journey to the Air Force Academy
08:59: Life as a Cadet: Challenges and Resilience
11:53: Leadership Lessons from the Academy
15:10: Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
18:06: Fundraising and Philanthropy in Athletics
21:00: The Kutra Legacy Center: A Personal Connection
23:53: Current Role at the University of Miami
27:06: Leadership Philosophy and Key Takeaways
TAKEAWAYS
Brian's journey highlights the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges.
Authenticity in leadership fosters trust and connection with others.
Surrounding yourself with talented individuals can enhance personal growth.
Private investment plays a crucial role in the success of athletic programs.
Experiences at the Air Force Academy shape leadership philosophies.
Fundraising in athletics is about building relationships and trust.
Transitioning from military to civilian life requires adaptability and networking.
The Kutra Legacy Center represents a significant investment in future cadets.
Leadership is a continuous journey of learning and growth.
Engaging with alumni can create impactful opportunities for current students.
ABOUT BRIAN CAMPBELL ’08BIO
Brian Campbell ’08 joined the University of Miami in May of 2023 as Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development. In this role, Brian has oversight of fundraising operations, programs, and the development team for Miami Athletics. Brian came to UM from his alma mater, the United States Air Force Academy, where he had spent the previous five years, beginning in 2018 as the Assistant Athletic Director for Development and finishing as the Executive Director of Development for Strategic Programs and Athletic Giving.
At Air Force, Brian was responsible for the fundraising strategy and execution for athletic capital projects, endowments, and major giving, in addition to other revenue generating initiatives. He also served as the liaison to the Air Force Academy Foundation Board of Director’s Athletic Committee. The academy experienced unprecedented fundraising success during Brian’s time at USAFA – most notably completing a $270 million campaign nearly 18-months ahead of schedule, headlined by multiple record-breaking years of fundraising.
As part of the campaign, Brian led a $37.5 million fundraising effort to support the $90+ million modernization of the east side of Falcon Stadium. Additionally, he managed the philanthropic component of a $500 million public-private partnership to develop a new hotel and visitors center outside USAFA’s north gate. Other accomplishments during this stretch included a lead gift to launch the renovation of Air Force’s baseball venue, Falcon Field, and building the Wayne Baughman Wrestling Endowment, which seeks to provide operational funding for Air Force Wrestling in perpetuity.
Brian brings 15 years of organizational leadership experience to UM from multiple sectors. He rose to the rank of captain in the US Air Force, then climbed to the partner level at Anheuser-Busch InBev where he led the sales and marketing efforts for the Northwest region, including several of the largest sports and entertainment partnerships in the portfolio.
In each of the communities he’s lived in, Brian has supported local initiatives – serving on the boards of the National Football Foundation of Colorado, the Missouri Veterans Initiative, and the Boys and Girls Club of Alton, Illinois. He was a football student-athlete at the Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis.
- Copy Credit: University of Miami
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Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
FULL TRANSCRIPT
SPEAKERS
Guest, Brian Campbell ’08 | Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:00
My guest today is the Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development, Brian Campbell, USAFA, class of 2008. Brian joined the University of Miami in 2023 as Assistant Vice President for Athletics Development, where he oversees all fundraising for UM Athletics. In 2018 he served as Assistant Athletic Director for Development for Air Force Athletics, ultimately becoming Executive Director of Development for Strategic Programs and Athletic Giving. Brian led several highly successful, multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns, including playing a significant role in securing funding for the Falcon Stadium's newly open Kucera Legacy Center. While at the Academy, Brian was a football cadet-athlete and later earned his MBA from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. He also spent five years in sports marketing with Anheuser Busch. We'll talk with Brian about his life as a young athlete, path to the Air Force Academy, his days as a cadet, leadership opportunities, and how he now uses what he learned to lead and positively impact others. Finally, we'll ask Brian to share advice for developing leaders and those in leadership aspiring to reach similar heights in their careers. Brian, welcome to long blue leadership, and thank you for joining us today.
Brian Campbell 01:18
Thanks, Naviere. I am honored to be on the podcast, and I'm really happy to be back in Doolittle Hall, albeit remotely, and I want to welcome you to the “U.”
Naviere Walkewicz 01:29
Thank you so much. I will take that warm weather. Yeah, well, we're really excited for this. Brian, I think a lot of our listeners love to hear the different paths that our leaders take from getting to the Academy in life after but we like to start by rewinding the clock a little bit. And we'd like to get to know you, Brian, as a young boy. Tell us about what life was like growing up, where you grew up, etc.
Brian Campbell 01:51
Yeah. I mean, I was, I grew up mostly in Columbus, Ohio. My family was from California, but my dad's job took us to Columbus when I was young. And you know, as I've reflected back on some of my career and the things that have led me to different spots, I think being a kid from Columbus, and regardless of people's feelings about Ohio State, which tend to be fairly negative here at the my current institution, the lens at which I grew up in was through a place with a massive presence of college athletics, you know, everything, everything in that community, with the fabric was Ohio State. I played every sport growing up. I'm very grateful to have grown up at a time where, you know, we went out in the yard, in the neighborhood, and did everything all day. We figured out our differences in the backyard. There are a couple other guys in the neighborhood who went on to very successful athletic endeavors as well. So, you know, athletics were very important all throughout and then as we got more serious and into competitive things later on, they become, you know, more and more formal. But you know, sports and the community were tied together, and they very much provided the context at which my career followed.
Naviere Walkewicz 03:14
That
While a cadet at the Air Force Academy, Jason Kim ’99 experienced the “pedestal effect” and learned the importance of curiosity, compassion, trust and mutual respect.
SUMMARY
Jason Kim, a USFA class of '99 and CEO of Firefly Aerospace, discussed his leadership journey and experiences. He emphasized the importance of curiosity, compassion, and mutual respect in leadership. Jason shared his upbringing in Richardson, Texas, and his parents' influence. He recounted his time at the Air Force Academy, highlighting the humbling experience of being among top cadets and the value of building trust. Jason detailed his career path, including roles at Boeing, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman, and his MBA from UCLA. He stressed the importance of giving back to the Air Force Academy and the Space Force.
OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"I think just being curious and being an active listener and asking questions and listening to other people, sometimes people want to vent, or sometimes people want to just be heard or have a voice, or some, most of the time, people just have good ideas."
"And so I would just say, just be curious, what did I miss? Did you miss something? Did we both miss something? If you get all those great ideas and you share it amongst different people from different backgrounds and walks of life, you don't miss as much, you know, and you're just bet off better off, you'll have a better solution."
"Building that trust, you know, with your your your teams, that's extremely empowering and motivating when you trust someone else, and they trust you, and you can go much, much further when you build that trust up."
"We got this drilled into us, and we didn't even know at the time how important it was. But you know, building that trust, you know, with your your your teams, that's extremely empowering and motivating when you trust someone else, and they trust you, and you can go much, much further when you build that trust up."
"And then the last thing I would say is, I think we were one of the first classes that had non commissioned officers alongside with AOCs that were there to teach us about mutual respect, about mutual respect between officers and non commissioned officers. And I think that went a long ways for for all of us, because, you know, once we went to the real Air Force, you know, we were going to lead a lot of officers and NCOs, and getting that kind of exposure early on was helpful, but also learning about mutual respect, that's something that is extremely important in any work setting that you're in."
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CHAPTERS
00:00: Introduction and Background
02:24: Welcome to Long Leu Leadership
07:42: Early Inspirations and Motivations
10:56: Discovering the Air Force Academy
16:00: Memorable Experiences at the Academy
23:26: Leadership Lessons Learned
26:32: Leadership: Curiosity, Compassion, and Mutual Respect
28:14: Startup Journey: Taking Risks and Minimizing Regrets
30:07: Leadership Lessons: MBA and Personal Growth
32:05: Startup Experience: Joining and Growing a Company
36:18: Family and Risk-Taking: Lessons from Parents
39:36: Hidden Talent: Drawing and Painting
45:36: Giving Back: Involvement with the Air Force Academy Foundation
51:30: Impact of the Air Force Academy: Building Resilience and Confidence
TAKEAWAYS
Growing up in Texas with immigrant parents instilled a strong work ethic and a desire to give back to the country in Jason Kim.
Inspired by the space shuttle program and the Gulf War, Jason decided to pursue a career in the military.
At the Air Force Academy, Jason experienced the pedestal effect and learned the importance of curiosity, compassion, trust, and mutual respect in leadership.
Jason's academic and extracurricular experiences at the Academy helped shape his leadership skills and provided him with lifelong friendships.
His parents and role models like Colonel Ellison Onizuka influenced his decision to join the Air Force and give back to the country. Curiosity, compassion, and mutual respect are essential qualities in leadership.
Taking risks and minimizing regrets can lead to personal and professional growth.
Giving back and supporting future generations is important.
The Air Force Academy provides valuable experiences and lifelong friendships.
Learning multiple languages and exploring different cultures can broaden perspectives.
The Academy's challenging environment builds resilience and confidence.
ABOUT JASON KIM ’99
Mr. Jason Kim ’99 is a member of the Air Force Academy Foundation Board of Directors. He is also CEO for Firefly Aerospace. Jason's career includes his work in the satellite and national security space for Boeing Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. While in the Air Force, he served as a program manager for the Space Superiority Systems program and Reconnaissance Systems Program offices. He has served on the boards of the National Defense industrial Association and space enterprise consortium formation Committee. He began his Air Force career as a cadet, having graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, followed by a master's in electrical engineering from AFET and then an MBA from the University of California, Anderson School of Management.
CONNECT WITH JASON
LinkedIn
ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
SPEAKERS
Guest: Mr. Jason Kim ’99 | Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:01
Our guest today is Mr. Jason Kim USAFA class of ’99 and a member of the Air Force Academy Foundation Board of Directors. Jason's career includes his work in the satellite and national security space for Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. While in the Air Force, he served as a program manager for the Space Superiority Systems and Reconnaissance Systems program offices. He has served on the boards of the National Defense Industrial Association and Space Enterprise Consortium Formation Committee. He began his Air Force career as a cadet, having graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, followed by a master's in electrical engineering from AFET and then an MBA from the University of California Anderson School of Management. We'll discuss Jason's life before, during and after the Academy, and we'll ask him to share a unique talent. We'll end with his advice for those striving to become leaders and those already in leadership positions, endeavoring toward excellence. Jason, welcome to Long Blue Leadership, my friend, my classmate. Thank you for being here today.
Jason Kim 01:04
Thank you for having me, and thanks for using my call sign.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:09
You're welcome. I know we want it to catch on so everyone knows now. Well, as we do in this, this is such a wonderful opportunity for our listeners to get to know you, and we like to go back and so for us, we're talking, you know, closer to 30 something years ago, right, when you were young. Jason, tell us about what life was like before the Academy was even in your in your line of sight.
Jason Kim 01:31
So, I grew up in Richardson, Texas. It's a suburb north of Dallas, and if you've been to Dallas, it's a metropolitan city, and but it's a little bit country as well. And so yes, I grew up with cowboy boots. I grew up with a belt buckle, you know, driving a pickup truck, all those kinds of things. But I'd listen to all kinds of music. So, judging by my call sign, you know, rap music, R&B, but also some country as well. And my parents were first-generation immigrants from South Korea, and so I really saw how hard they worked, you know, learning a different language, buying a house, doing all that in their late 30s and 40s and raising three children. I'm the youngest of three boys, and so I'm very, you know, grateful for what my parents did for us three boys. My dad was an electrician on oil rigs and was in the oil and gas industry, and that's why we ended up in Texas. And I'd see him travel away for a month at a time, and then come back home for a month to places like Venezuela and United Arab Emirates and Gulf of Mexico and all kinds of places. And so, you know, I heard stories of travel and just everything he was doing. So, we'll get to this later, but he was definitely an inspiration early on for me, and he always, you know, was very grateful for being a naturalized citizen and allowing our family to grow up in the U.S. and get an education. And so, he always kind of inspired me to give back to the country, and always do good things for the community as well. And so that's where I kind of got those roots. And, you know, also being the youngest of three boys, my older brothers were seven and nine years older than me and so you can imagine I was the little kid that they would bring along to school or, you know, meeting with friends. And so, I learned the good things from them and emulated the good things, but then the bad things, the mistakes that they made, I tried to avoid that. So, I kind of got it easy watching them. And so, I owe a lot to them coaching me and mentoring me as I grew up, and then being in Texas, of course, what did I play sports in, I played football. And I would say that a lot of the leadership skills that I got early on came from football, and a lot of the work ethic came from football — the teammates, the collaboration, the strategy. Texas football is pretty legit, and so I got to watch tape, I got to lift weights, practice. All those things that Tom Brady says in his Hall of Fame speech I resonate with now, I didn't end up like Tom Brady, but I resonate with what he said, all those early mornings, waking up, you know, training, all the hard work. It really taught me a lot of good lessons. And, you know, I still kind of have a lot of that work ethic be
A conversation with 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23, the first active duty military member to be crowned Miss America 2024, about her background, leadership experiences, transition to Harvard Kennedy School, and key lessons on empathetic leadership and following one's passions.
SUMMARY
Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh, the first active-duty military member and Miss America 2024, discussed her journey and leadership experiences. She highlighted her foundation for pancreatic cancer research, her academic achievements, and her role as a mentor at the Air Force Academy. Marsh emphasized the importance of empathetic leadership, mental health support, and balancing personal and professional life. She shared her transition from aspiring to be an astronaut to focusing on public policy and her current studies at Harvard Kennedy School. Marsh underscored the significance of passion, support from family and mentors, and the impact of diverse perspectives on leadership.
OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"Don't ask your people to do something that you are not willing to do yourself." - Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh
"Your life is too short to live it for someone else or to do things that you are not passionate about." - Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh
"I knew that if I put 100% into something I'm passionate about, the outcome and the impact that I'm gonna have is going to be far greater than forcing myself into this idea of who other people want me to be." - Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh
"Leaning on people, whether it is your partner or a loved one, that is how you're going to succeed in life." - Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh
"Being an empathetic leader, being a leader who goes by example. So don't ask your people to do something that you are not willing to do yourself."
- 2nd Lieutenant Madison Marsh
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CHAPTERS
00:00: Empathetic Leadership: The Foundation of Success
02:43: Journey to the Air Force Academy: A Personal Story
11:33: Overcoming Tragedy: The Power of Support
16:18: Leadership Lessons from the Academy
28:31: Navigating Career Changes: Finding Passion
45:02: Key Takeaways: Empathy and Passion in Leadership
TAKEWAYS
Embrace empathetic leadership - Truly understanding and supporting your team members, even when they are struggling, is crucial for effective leadership.
Lead by example - As a leader, you should be willing to do anything you ask of your team and not ask them to do something you wouldn't do yourself.
Follow your passions - Pursuing work and activities you are truly passionate about will lead to greater fulfillment and impact than forcing yourself into a path for others.
Build a strong support network - Relying on partners, mentors, and loved ones can provide the encouragement and guidance needed to overcome challenges.
Prioritize self-care - Taking time for your own mental, physical, and emotional well-being is essential to being an effective leader and avoiding burnout.
ABOUT MADISON
Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh, crowned Miss America 2024, poses in a Colorado Air National Guard hanger on Buckley Space Force Base on August 7, 2024. Marsh embodies service in and out of uniform, proving that you can achieve your dreams and goals while serving in the United States Air Force. Image Credit: Ms. Miram Thurber, Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, USAFA class of ’23, and Miss America 2024 is the first active-duty member of the military to hold the title. She is also the first such title holder in 50 years for Colorado. She attained her private pilot license at the age of 16. She is a highly accomplished humanitarian, scholar and service member. After the loss of her mother in 2018 to pancreatic cancer, she established a foundation to raise funds for research to fight the disease. When she became a cadet, she excelled in her physics and astronomy studies, winning a Truman scholarship and is now pursuing her master’s in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School.
CONNECT WITH MADISON
Instagram: @missamerica | @madiisabellaa
ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
FULL TRANSCRIPT
OUR SPEAKERS
Guest, 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23 | Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:22
My guest today is Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh, USAFA Class of 23 and newly crowned Miss America. This is a first for an active-duty member of the military and one for the Colorado history books in that she is the first such title holder in 50 years for the Academy's home state. But there is much, much more to Lieutenant Marsh, including her attaining a private pilot's license at the age of 16. She is a highly accomplished humanitarian, scholar and service member. After the very difficult loss of her mother in 2018 to pancreatic cancer, she established a foundation to raise funds for research and to fight the disease. When she became a cadet, she excelled in physics and astronomy, earning a Truman Scholarship, and is now pursuing her Master's in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. We'll talk with Lieutenant Marsh about her most meaningful and impactful experiences at the Academy in research, athletics, leadership and character development. We'll discuss her speaker role at this year's National Character and Leadership Symposium, and ask how her new role as a national speaker and influencer informs her mission and message. And finally, we'll have the lieutenant share a few takeaways on leadership and character development with you, our listeners. Lieutenant Marsh, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. We're so glad to have you.
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23
Thank you so much for having me.
Naviere Walkewicz
Absolutely. And before we dive in, as we normally do, we'd love to know how things have been going since you've been crowned.
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23 01:51
It has been very, very busy. I've been really lucky that the Air Force decided to keep me on active duty this year, because not only am I getting to serve in a uniform like this, but I'm also getting to serve in that crown and sash. And so, there's so many different experiences that I've gotten to have, whether it's a mixture of days that I'm going and promoting the military, or days that I'm doing a very different type of service. So I never know what I'm gonna’ get every day that I wake up on the job. So it's been pretty cool.
Naviere Walkewicz 02:16
That is awesome. Can you share something that's really stuck out to you as just really memorable?
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23 02:21
So far, one of my favorite trips that we went on was Normandy for the D-Day anniversary, and I loved it because I had actually gone there last year, right after I commissioned with my fiancé, that was one of the first things we saw as officers. And now getting to go back with a year under my belt with a very different experience, I got to really see that history for like firsthand again. And I just think every time that I look at those headstones, it reminds me of what it means to put on our uniform, what our flag really means to me. And now being able to have that firsthand experience and sharing that with students across the nation, because I want people to understand what it means to serve every day, to hopefully invite people to come and join us and get excited about what service is.
Naviere Walkewicz 03:06
Oh, that's incredible. And, I mean, I think just to reiterate your commitment to service, and then to be able to see how you carry that message through history, I think is really powerful. Oh, that's amazing. I imagine that it's been a whirlwind, and you're looking forward to much more as well. Yes, does it feel like it's flown by?
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23 03:21
Yes, I feel, I think I have, like, four and a half months left. And I mean, every day I wake up and it's like three weeks later apparently.
Naviere Walkewicz 03:31
Well, I’m sure that to you it feels like it's flying by, but to everyone else it's a moment in time that they can really connect with you. So, your message is so powerful. We're glad that you're representing. Well, we'd love to dive into our podcast so our listeners can get to know you a little bit more and really experience leadership through your journey. So, we like to start by going into childhood. Okay, do you mind sharing a little bit about what you were like as young girl?
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23 03:55
Oh, let's see. I'd always loved science. Okay, so that was the big thing. I had wanted to be a paleontologist, a volcanologist. I wanted to be a scientist that lived with gorillas and studied them in the forest, which was…
Naviere Walkewicz 04:08
Was that inspired by a movie, or just…
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23 04:10
I don't know where that even started from. I think I was like, that sounds cool. My parents were like, What is she talking about then? And then, kind of going more into junior high, I wanted to be a marine biologist, and because I went on submarine biology camp, that was what sparked my interest in space, so that I had a very big shift that brought me to wanting to be an astronaut, which is ultimately why I ended up at the Academy. So, there was all these little things of interest throughout science my whole life that now made me put on the uniform.
Naviere Walkewicz 04:42
So Wow, very long, weird journey to get there. Well, I'm sure it was an adventure for you and your family. Yes, are you an only child? Or do you have siblings?
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23 04:47
I'm one of five. So, we are a mixed family. I have three older half siblings and older brother Nick, older brother Chris, older sister Sarah. Then there's me and my younger sister, Heidi
Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks ’96 discusses the absolute importance of standards and integrity in leadership, and how a new, more rigorous approach at the Academy will build that in to cadets making them Day-1 leaders.
SUMMARY
Brigadier General Gavin P. Marks, Commandant of the Air Force Academy, shares his journey from being a young man in Atlanta, Georgia to becoming a pilot and eventually serving as the Commandant. He discusses his experiences at the Air Force Academy, including basic cadet training and the challenges he faced. General Marks emphasizes the importance of perseverance, leaning on support networks, and maintaining high standards in leadership. He also reflects on the impact of the Academy on his personal and professional development. General Gavin Marks reflects on his personal journey and the impact of his wife on his military career. He discusses the importance of being adaptable and humble as a leader and the unique responsibilities of command. He shares his decision to return to the Air Force Academy and the changes he is implementing to better prepare cadets for the challenges of great power competition. General Marks emphasizes the love and passion that the leaders at the Academy have for developing future officers and encourages listeners to continue dreaming big.
OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"How you do anything is how you do everything."
"There's always somebody better."
"I want to make sure that they feel like they got their money's worth from a military development perspective or military training perspective."
"The leaders at the Air Force Academy, from top to bottom, love deeply, deeply love the institution, and are incredibly passionate about the development of these young men and women into officers in the Air Force and the Space Force."
"Continue to dream big. Don't let anyone dissuade you from goals that you have. And as it relates specifically to the Air Force Academy, it is absolutely worth it."
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CHAPTERS
00:00: Introduction and Background
01:53: Returning to the Air Force Academy
02:52: Young Gavin Marks: Childhood and Calling to Serve
07:04: Challenges and Growth in Basic Cadet Training
08:29: Lessons in Leadership and Perseverance
11:45: Choosing the Air Force Academy and Pilot Training
15:06: Reflections on the Academy's Impact
20:52: Leadership Experiences as a Cadet
23:43: Lessons in Leadership and Perception
27:55: Successes and Career Progression
32:35: Meeting His Wife and Reflecting on Tinker Air Force Base
37:25: Personal Journey and the Impact of Relationships
57:54: Changes in the Life of a Cadet
01:05:48: Challenges and Partnerships
01:09:39: Rigor and Expectations
01:11:09: Love and Passion for Developing Future Officers
01:12:34: The Value and Worth of Attending the Air Force Academy
TAKEAWAYS
The importance of perseverance, resilience, and grit in overcoming challenges, especially during difficult experiences like the Air Force Academy.
The value of having a strong support network, including family and friends, to help navigate challenging times.
The significance of leadership roles and experiences during the Air Force Academy in shaping one's development and future success.
The Air Force Academy's focus on evolving its training and development methods to better prepare cadets for the challenges of great power competition.
The deep passion and commitment of the Air Force Academy's leadership in developing leaders of character who are ready to serve their country.
ABOUT GEN. MARKS
BRIG. GEN. MARKS' BIO
Brigadier General Gavin P. Marks is the Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He commands the 4,300-member Cadet Wing and more than 200 Air Force and civilian personnel. He guides military, leadership, character development, Basic Cadet Training and Expeditionary Skills Training for the Air Force Cadet Wing in addition to providing facilities and logistical support.
Brig. Gen. Marks earned his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1996 and his pilot wings from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, in 1998. Brig. Gen. Marks has served as a T-1A instructor pilot (at both the undergraduate and graduate training levels) and flight examiner, an E-3B/C instructor pilot and flight examiner, an Air Force Intern, a staff officer on multiple joint staffs, and has commanded at the squadron and wing levels.
Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Director, Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Brig. Gen. Marks is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours in the T-3, T-37, T-1A, E-3B/C/G, RC-135S/U/V, TC-135W, OC-135B, and WC-135C aircraft.
- Copy credit: AF.MIL
CONNECT WITH GEN. MARKS
INSTAGRAM: @USAFACOMMANDANT
ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
FULL TRANSCRIPT
OUR SPEAKERS
Guest: Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks ’96 | Host: Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:01
My guest today is Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks, USAFA Class of ’96, and currently serving as the commandant of the Air Force Academy. This is his third command position since becoming a member of the Air Force. Gen. Marks was drawn to service as a young man in Atlanta, Georgia, and joined the Junior ROTC program in high school before coming to the Academy in 1992. After he graduated, he became a pilot and flew for 26 years, in addition to continuing his personal and professional development. In 2000, Gen. Marks graduated with distinction from Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. In 2015, he again graduated with distinction from the National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. He has held command positions at the squadron and wing levels. His attachment to the Academy has remained strong, so much so that 20 years ago, he committed to returning and had been working his way back to USAFA when he was called to service, assuming his role as commandant in 2023. Gen. Marks, it is a pleasure. Welcome to Long Blue Leadership. Thank you for being here.
Brig. Gen. Marks 01:03
Thank you very much. It is an honor for me to be here. It really is.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:07
This is an exciting time for us, because especially for me, being a Class of 1999 — “Gold will shine” — I had to get that in there. We go back to Arnold Hall in Basic Cadet Training, when you were the commandant of cadets during Basic Cadet Training for us. So I remember you vividly as your taps from your shoes hit the floor in Arnold Hall. So this is truly a pleasure, sir, thank you.
Brig. Gen. Marks 01:29
It is absolutely surreal to be back, and especially during this period that we're in right now during Basic Cadet Training, and as I interact with basic cadets and the cadre, it's hard not to reminisce about that time. It's hard not to share stories as well. I'm careful that I don't inundate the cadets with my stories of when I was the Basic Cadet Training commander. But it's just it's absolutely wonderful to be back here. Yeah, really is.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:53
Well, we'll get to hear some of those, I think, you know, from your perspective, back then, and also, more recently, as we weave through this podcast. But really excited. And where we like to start is when we go back to young Gavin Marks. So Gen. Marks, tell us about what you were like as a child.
Brig. Gen. Marks 02:08
My mother would tell you that I was precocious, that I was inquisitive. I was very, very talkative as well. So I have an older brother, and we are the sons of two parents that have been married for 55 years, and that's important, because 55 years is a long time, and it taught me the value of being committed. It also taught me the value of what love really looks like, up close and personal as well. I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, as you mentioned, so I'm a product of the South. I am a product of public schools, Baptist churches and Southern upbringing. So, I love sweet tea. I love this disgusting candy called Sugar Babies. And just about anything that you think of with regard to the South, you could probably say that that's pretty accurate as it relates to me and my personality as well. I call everyone ma'am and sir, regardless of rank, just based on my upbringing as well.
I really would tell you that I got a calling to serve in the military by virtue of JROTC. I followed my brother into JROTC. We went to different high schools, and he enjoyed it, but it just wasn't his calling. I got involved in it and knew immediately that it was something that I wanted to do. I love shining my shoes. I love shining the brass belt buckle that I had on my trousers. I love marching. I love drill. I did Color Guard. I did Drill Team. It was wonderful for me. It was, I think, the thing that was missing in my life in terms of knowing what my niche was going to be. And so, my professor at that time in that particular JROTC program, I think he saw something in me, and he was the first one to actually bring up a military service academy. Prior to that point, I hadn't heard of anything about West Point or Annapolis or the Air Force Academy at all. And so, I took a trip with my father and we went out to all three and I can't swim, and so Annapolis was pretty difficult for me to wrap my mind around. West Point was too gray. You know, this is a 17-year-old at the time, or a 16-year-old at the time thinking these things. It's like, “Wow, this was really gray and dreary.” No offense to West Point. And then I got to the Air Force Academy, and I remember stepping off the plane and again, coming from Atlanta, Georgia, to see the snow-capped mountains, to immediately be able to feel the differenc
Perhaps best known for his accomplishments on the field, at its core, Coach Troy Calhoun's work is about building athletes in to leaders of character.----more----
SUMMARY
In this conversation, Coach Troy Calhoun discusses his journey from childhood to becoming the head football coach of the Air Force Falcons. He talks about his upbringing in a family of service and the influence of his parents. Coach Calhoun shares his experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy and the lessons he learned in leadership. He also discusses the intersections of athletics and academics and the importance of patience in navigating the highs and lows of life. In this conversation, Coach Troy Calhoun discusses the importance of resilience, patience, and delayed gratification in the pursuit of success. He emphasizes the need to slow down and assess challenges, rather than seeking instant affirmation. Coach Calhoun shares examples of cadets who have shown tremendous growth and success after facing initial difficulties. He also highlights the importance of instilling values and standards in his players, both on and off the field. Coach Calhoun discusses his philosophy on leadership, which includes being right alongside his people, knowing his craft well, and creating an environment where ideas and perspectives are valued. He also emphasizes the significance of believing in and supporting others. Outside of football, Coach Calhoun enjoys spending time with his family, learning, and maintaining a balance in life. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of passion, involvement with people, and the development of others in leadership.
OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"Coach Calhoun can easily be considered a game changer and trailblazer shaping the world of sports, leadership and beyond."
"You gotta go serve the people."
"The discipline, the attention to detail, and the unselfishness for what was required and demanded in terms of teamwork."
"If you push forward when you come out the other side, just the additional strength, the confidence."
"Maybe you can share a story? And what I'm thinking about is when you talk about patience and affirmation showing in an outcome that is later on."
"You know, I think it is more difficult than ever for a teenager, for all human beings."
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:50 Childhood and Upbringing
04:25 Discovering the Air Force Academy
05:22 Life as a Cadet
09:00 Leadership and Mentorship
10:27 Intersections of Athletics and Academics
13:23 Lessons in Leadership
16:06 Navigating Challenges and Growth
19:43 Transition to Coaching
22:54 Coaching and Leadership
23:23 Values and Character Development
25:46 The Power of Resilience and Patience
30:08 Instilling Values and Standards for Success
31:59 The Philosophy of Leadership
35:18 Believing in and Supporting Others
42:30 Finding Balance and Pursuing Personal Interests
49:34 Passion and Involvement in Leadership
51:59 The Reward of Developing Others
TAKEAWAYS
Coach Calhoun's upbringing in a family of service shaped his values and commitment to leadership.
His experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy taught him the importance of discipline, time management, and teamwork.
Coach Calhoun emphasizes the value of mentorship and the impact it can have on young people.
The intersections of athletics and academics provide opportunities for personal growth and leadership development.
Navigating the highs and lows of life requires patience and a willingness to learn and grow. Resilience and patience are key qualities for success in any endeavor.
Delayed gratification can lead to greater strength and confidence.
Instilling values and standards is important for personal and professional development.
Leadership involves being involved with and supporting your people.
Believing in and supporting others can help them achieve more than they thought possible.
Maintaining a balance in life and pursuing personal interests is important for overall well-being.
Passion and involvement with people are essential in leadership.
Developing others and helping them grow is a rewarding aspect of leadership.
ABOUT COACH CALHOUN
BIO
Air Force Academy Head Football Coach Troy Calhoun graduated USAFA with the class of ‘89. Coach Calhoun can easily be considered a game-changer and trailblazer, shaping the world of sports, leadership and beyond. He is the very dynamic head coach of the Air Force Falcons football team. Known for his innovative approach and unwavering commitment, Coach Calhoun has led the Falcons through remarkable seasons, transforming them into a formidable force in college football and as warfighters. With a career that spans over a decade at Air Force Academy, Coach Calhoun has earned a reputation for building resilient teams and cultivating emerging leaders using a blend of discipline and inspiration. We’ll walk through his journey from his days as a child, to becoming a cadet, then on to coaching and the challenges and triumphs he’s experienced in and out of sports. We’ll explore his unique strategies, his philosophy on leading and what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of leadership. He is among the most recognizable and respected figures in football.
- Image credit: Ryan Hall, USAFA AOG
CONNECT WITH COACH CALHOUN
RADIO SHOW | AIR FORCE FOOTBALL | FULL BIO
ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
TRANSCRIPT
OUR SPEAKERS
Guest: Coach Troy Calhoun ’89 | Host: t. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Navier Walkewicz
My guest today is Air Force Academy head football coach Troy Calhoun, USAFA Class of ’89. Coach Calhoun can easily be considered a game changer and trailblazer, shaping the world of sports, leadership and beyond. He is the very dynamic head coach of the Air Force Falcons football team and a 2023 recipient of the Association of Graduates’ Leadership Achievement Award. Known for his innovative approach and unwavering commitment, Coach Calhoun has led the Falcons through remarkable seasons, transforming them into a formidable force in college football and as warfighters.
With a career that spans over a decade at the Air Force Academy, Coach Calhoun has earned a reputation for building resilient teams and cultivating emerging leaders using a blend of discipline and inspiration. We'll walk through his journey from his days as a child to becoming a cadet, then on to coaching and the challenges and triumphs he's experienced in and out of sports. We'll explore his unique strategies, his philosophy on leadership and what it takes to succeed at the highest levels. This promises to be an insightful and engaging conversation with one of the most respected figures in football and leadership. Coach Calhoun, welcome to Long Blue Leadership.
Coach Calhoun
Well, thank you, Naviere, and what an honor it is to be a part of your show.
Naviere Walkewicz
Well, this is an honor for us, and I think what our listeners really appreciate about each of our guests is they kind of know a little bit about them, but once they start to learn about your paths and your journey, I think they really find ways to connect with you. So we hope that this will continue that trend so that they feel just as connected to Coach Calhoun as we do.
Coach Calhoun
We sure hope so. So let's kick it off, right?
Naviere Walkewicz
Yes, let's do it. So, Coach, the way we like to start, we like to roll back the dial, we go back to when you were a child. What were you like as a child? Where'd you grow up?
Coach Calhoun
You know, I grew up in southern Oregon. Ironically, we settled in a town, it was a lumber town, which at that time was very labor-intensive. My dad was a high school teacher and a high school coach.
My mom raised the kids and as soon as the kids started grade school — myself and my younger sister — she went and got a two-year nursing degree and then worked as an emergency room nurse.
Naviere Walkewicz
Wow, so you guys have a just a family of service.
Coach Calhoun
That's exactly it. I can't tell you how many times I heard my mom say, “You know —" we'd ask mom, “Hey mom, don't you know it's a holiday, it's Thanksgiving, it's, you know, you don't have to go to work today.” And she said, “No, you gotta go serve the people.” The way that resonates now when you look back and to have that kind of figure that way was very inspirational, still is.
Naviere Walkewicz
That's wonderful. And I can imagine that. So what were some of the experiences like in the Calhoun household when you were a child?
Coach Calhoun
You know, my dad, obviously being a coach, goodness, he knew so much about every sport, whether it was basketball or baseball. So myself and my younger sister, we both played all kinds of sports. It was year round. It was wiffle ball in our front yard, or it was, we learned how to pole vault at a really young age, which was hard to do. We had a little paved cement area and we had a basket on each end. So we were always playing 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 basketball.
Naviere Walkewicz
So who would win, your sister or you?
Coach Calhoun
She'd tell you she always won, but it was just an unbelievable upbringing that way.
Naviere Walkewicz
My goodness. So you're in sports, no one in your family was serving in the military though, so how did that even touch your family?
Coach Calhoun
You know, great question. My mother had three brothers. This was in the early ’60s. They were around 20, 22 years old and each enlisted: one in the Marines, one in the Navy and one in the Army. So we really thought, well, that's about the extent of it.
And at the beginning of my senior year high school, I got a call from the Air Force Academy, one of the football coaches, who shared a little b
A conversation with Sam Eckholm ’18 about his unique path and work to inspire the next generation of military leaders through social media and content creation.----more----
SUMMARY
In this edition of Long Blue Leadership, host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99, is talking with Sam about his journey from the three times he landed on the “footprints” on in-processing day through the challenges he faced as he learned to lead his peers, side-stepping career advice that might have left him in obscurity, his relentless perseverance pursuing his dreams, graduation in 2018, the history he’s making now and Sam’s continuing support of the Air Force Academy.
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"Putting yourself in other people's shoes is big."
"If you have an end goal in mind, it's not going to be easy to get there. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."
"What you see as a finished polished video, the behind the scenes is crazy."
"Don't lose sight of that end goal."
"Dig deep down and realize what you want. And just relentlessly go after that."
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Putting Yourself in Other People's Shoes
21:13 - The Terrazzo Gap: Challenges and Perceptions
23:49 - Finding Passion in Clubs and Sports
27:40 - From Photography to Public Affairs
30:05 - Inspired by the F-22 Demo Team
31:00 - Pursuing a Career in Public Affairs
32:24 - Learning and Growing as a Young Lieutenant
33:22 - Challenges and Rewards of Public Affairs
34:22 - Maintaining Motivation and Finding Balance
35:44 - Leading Others and Finding Personal Outlets
38:41 - Transitioning to Entrepreneurship
41:49 - Impactful Moments and Inspiring Others
46:49 - Overcoming Challenges and Pursuing Dreams
53:31 - Supporting the Academy and Creating Impactful Content
56:19 - Final Thoughts and Message to Listeners
TAKEAWAYS
- Putting yourself in other people's shoes is important for effective leadership
- The Terrazzo Gap between intercollegiate athletes and non-athletes at the Academy is a unique challenge
- Being involved in clubs and sports at the Academy provides valuable experiences and friendships
- Passion for photography and social media can lead to a career in public affairs.
- Don't lose sight of your end goal and relentlessly pursue it.
- Advocate for yourself and trust in your own decisions.
- Creating meaningful impact requires hard work and dedication.
- Inspire others by sharing your journey and experiences.
- The Academy Blueprint program helps level the playing field for aspiring cadets.
- Expand your knowledge and learn from various sources of inspiration.
- Don't be discouraged by challenges and setbacks; they can lead to growth and success.
ABOUT SAM
Deep down, Sam Eckholm always knew the Air Force Academy was where he belonged. As the son of an Air Force pilot and Academy graduate, he was brought up on the blue and silver. After graduating high school in Dallas, Texas, he followed in his dad's footsteps, attending the U.S. Air Force Academy as a member of the class of 2018.
Following graduation, Sam was selected as a member of the F-22 Raptor Demonstration team, where he traveled the world as a Public Affairs Officer, documenting the 5th generation stealth fighter jet at air shows across the globe. After separating from active duty in 2022, Sam's passion for military service has not changed, but his ability to share that passion with an even larger audience has. His videos have accumulated over 100 million views online, with over 1 million followers across his social media platforms.
Attending the Air Force Academy is what started it all, and Sam's goal is to help others achieve their dreams of throwing their hat in the air and graduating from the Academy. The Air Force Academy Blueprint is the culmination of almost two years of pouring his heart and soul into a singular project, and he can't wait to bring it to you.
- Image and copy courtesy of Sam Eckholm
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LINKS WE MENTIONED
ACADEMY BLUEPRINT
SAM'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
SAM'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
TRANSCRIPT
OUR SPEAKERS:
Guest: Sam Eckholm ’18 | Host: t. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Sam Eckholm
Putting yourself in other people's shoes is big. It's kind of hard to remember that because you're getting information from your leader, right, your boss, they're telling you one thing, it's hard for them to see kind of two layers down how that's going to impact everyone else. So, I mean, I would always just try to put myself in other people's shoes. Okay, if I do this, what's that gonna… how's that going to make this person feel?
Naviere Walkewicz
My guest today is Sam Eckholm, USAFA class of 2018 and Air Force captain turned full-time entrepreneur and storyteller, the third in his family's Long Blue Line. Sam is the son of a 1989 graduate and the nephew of a 1993 graduate. All three hail from Cadet Squadron 28, the Blackbirds. We’ll talk with Sam about his Dallas roots to the day he stood on the footprints at the Academy. We'll ask him about how he made his way from the wing to the F-22 Raptor demonstration team, then public affairs, out of the Air Force in ’23, and now an entrepreneur, content creator and social media influencer. Sam's father and uncle were his main sources of inspiration for becoming a member of the profession of arms. And he has stayed close to the Air Force and the Academy ever since. He leads hopefuls to reach for their dreams and shares his passion for all things Air Force with the world. As we move through the conversation, we'll talk about lessons he's learned in being a leader, and what advice he would give to those aspiring to become leaders and leaders who want to be better. Sam, I'm really looking forward to this conversation. Welcome to Long Blue Leadership and thank you for being here today.
Sam Eckholm
Naviere, it's always great to see you. It's always great to be back at the best school in the world.
Naviere Walkewicz
Yes, it is. And I mean, I think what's so great about your story, Sam, and what's so unique for our listeners is they feel like they know you because you have such an incredible presence. But today, they're really going to get a chance to understand how you got here. And I think that's what's so fascinating for people.
Sam Eckholm
Yeah, that means a lot. It's always fun to sit down and kind of talk a little bit more in depth. You know, with the videos I do, I'm trying to focus on highlights and showing some action and keeping the viewer’s attention. But this is just kind of laid back.
Naviere Walkewicz
Let's talk and relive some fun, exciting , you know, stories from the Academy and beyond. Yes, this is about you now. So, you get to be the spotlight and I'm really excited to take everyone on this journey. So, let's roll it back a little bit. We'll start with a journey of Sam as a little boy, you know. I know you shared you kind of grew up in Dallas after third grade. We had a little bit of a chat, but you did some bouncing around before that. Let's hear about your childhood.
Sam Eckholm
Yeah, so my dad, an ’89 grad, like you said went off to pilot training ended up flying KC-135s. So I was actually born at McConnell Air Force Base, right, and so Wichita, Kansas. Fun fact: little full-circle moment for me, I'm gonna’ be headed out there in two weeks to do a KC-46 video with the unit there and first time I'll have been back since I was born. So that'll be really fun to see. But yeah, growing up I mean, I don't consider myself an Air Force brat because my dad did separate when I was young, but we bounced around every two years but Dyess McConnell, it was fun. Definitely have some early memories of him and his flight suit walking out on the flight line. And that probably sparked the initial interest in wanting to serve. I think I shoved that to a side for a little bit until I was a bit more mature and could realize what that actually meant. Kind of around the second or third grade, he got out, transitioned to the airline world settled on American Airlines, and moved to Dallas, Texas. And that's really where I call my home. That's where I grew up. And as you know, Dallas is a super not just for Academy athletes and future cadets. It's just seems like a hot hub, right, for a lot of people move there. So, I had a great experience. When it came time to applying to the Academy I knew I was going to have to have my ducks in a line because it's competitive. There's a lot of people trying to get in. But looking back I mean, I've been all over the world now at this point, but Texas always feels like home.
Naviere Walkewicz
I love that you have your roots. So talk about what you were like as a kid. Were you really active in sports? Where are you — you kind of have the social media side, so, are you really interested in some of the dramatic arts? Like, tell me about what that looked like?
Sam Eckholm
Yes, sports were always a big part of my family. My dad was actually a basketball player here at the Air Force Academy. My uncle played on the football team as well. So, they were huge athletes. I was always, growing up, I was playing tennis, basketball, golf with my dad, my brothers. I have two other brothers as well. We're all super competitive. Probably, I think what also helped me just realize the Academy was a great school because you know, what other college do you go into where everyone's so competitive and athletic, and sports are built into the curriculum? So yeah, I mean, I would say that was an important part of growing up. My dad especially instilled a lot of values he learned at the A
Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre '96 opens up about how her leadership journey was transformed by a mis-step she once made that led her to introspection and clarity. ----more----
SUMMARY
Gen. Letendre and Doug Lindsay shared their insights on leadership development at the Air Force Academy. They emphasized the importance of resilience, failure, and mentorship in shaping effective leaders. The General highlighted the value of taking advantage of little opportunities and pushing boundaries, while Dr. Lindsay stressed the need for courage and finding one's voice in leadership. Both emphasized the importance of learning from failures and using them as opportunities for growth.
QUOTES
"Little opportunities can become big opportunities, and you don't necessarily know what that big opportunity is going to be. And you don't necessarily recognize that the little opportunity that you have before you is one of those that's going to somehow blossom in the future."
"You practice having that voice early in your career, you practice what it means to be candid, you practice what it means to speak up for the right thing. It doesn't actually get easier, just because you've got rank, it gets easier through practice."
"You've got to find your voice. And oftentimes, when I talk to cadets, they're like, "Oh, well, easy for you to say, ma'am. You know, you've got a star on, of course, you've got a voice." But I think that unless you practice having that voice, early in your career, you practice what it means to be candid, you practice what it means to speak up for the right thing."
"We want our grads to be better than we ever were. And I can say unabashedly that They are our second lieutenants who are graduating from this institution are better able on day one to take on the challenges that our nation has thrown at them."
"I believe my role in our role as senior leaders at the Air Force Academy is to not necessarily predict the future with any certainty. I think I might know who our next adversary is going to be in in conflict. I do know, though, that it's going to be the mental agility in the capabilities and skill sets that we are providing both to our cadets, our first graduating class, but also something we talked about our second graduating class, which is those those faculty that are going to go back out into the Air Force and Space Force. It is that challenge of how do we help them be ready for whatever's coming their way? How do we future proof them?"
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Background
08:16 Life at the Air Force Academy
15:22 Career Progression and Lessons Learned
26:17 Graduate Involvement and Giving Back
32:25 Leadership Lessons
36:58 Connecting with the Air Force Academy
TAKEAWAYS
Little opportunities can become big opportunities, so take advantage of opportunities and do your best.
Develop your leadership skills by finding your voice and practicing speaking up, even on small matters. This will help you gain confidence.
Focus on developing leaders of character by setting a good example and lifting others up.
The Air Force Academy is focused on preparing cadets for the future through experiential learning, research, and partnerships with industry.
Staying connected to your alma mater through events and social media is a good way to learn about new programs and opportunities to get involved.
BRIG. GEN. LETENDRE'S BIO
Brigadier General Linell A. Letendre is Dean of the Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. She commands the 750-member Dean of Faculty mission element and oversees the annual design and instruction of more than 500 undergraduate courses for 4,000 cadets across 32 academic disciplines. She also directs the operation of five support staff agencies and faculty resources involving more than $350 million.
General Letendre graduated from the Academy in 1996 as a Distinguished Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering. After serving as an acquisition officer, General Letendre became a judge advocate through the Funded Legal Education Program. She graduated from the University of Washington Law School with high honors and was named to the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Barristers. She is barred at the U.S. Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Washington, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Prior to this assignment, she served as the Permanent Professor and Head of the Air Force Academy’s Department of Law.
General Letendre previously served as a Staff Judge Advocate at Scott Air Force Base and also represented the Air Force in appellate review of all courts-martial as the Deputy Chief Trial and Appellate Counsel. Additionally, she previously served as the Legal Advisor for the DoD Comprehensive Review Working Group where she advised on legal and policy issues surrounding repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” She also defended the Air Force in a range of federal civil litigation involving military personnel, served as Chief of Strategic Communication for The Judge Advocate General, and defended Airmen as an area defense counsel.
- Image and copy credit: USAF
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Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
FULL TRANSCRIPT
OUR SPEAKERS
Guest, Brig. Gen. Linell Leyendre '96 | Host, Dr. Doug Lindsay '92
Dr. Doug Lindsay 01:34
My guest today is Brigadier General Linell Letendre, Air Force Academy class of 1996 and Dean of the Faculty. The general oversees 750 faculty members in more than 500 undergraduate courses for 4,000 cadets across 32 academic disciplines. She also directs the operation of five support staff, agencies, and faculties with attendant resources valued at more than $350 million. General Letendre graduated the Academy, with Distinction receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering. She served as an Acquisition Officer. She has been a Judge Advocate General and is barred at the US Supreme Court, Supreme Court of Washington, the US Court of Appeals for the armed forces and the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Prior to her current assignment, she served as a permanent professor and head of the Air Force Academy's Department of Law will talk with General Letendre about her life prior to becoming a cadet and what her experience was like at the Academy as a cadet. We'll ask about the progression of her career from acquisitions, to the practice of law to the Dean of the Faculty. Finally, we'll ask the General to share some advice for leaders and a few takeaways for those who want to be leaders. General Letendre, welcome to Long Blue Leadership.
Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre 02:47
Well, thank you, Doug. I'm excited to be here and I appreciate the invitation.
Dr. Doug Lindsay 02:51
Absolutely. Well, let's kind of jump right in. Can you talk a little bit about what your life was like prior to the Academy and what it was like growing up with your family?
Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre 03:00
Well, according to the cadets, that's talking about what happened in the stone age. But growing up, as a kid, I was not a military brat, but I was what we affectionately call a corporate brat. So we moved about every four to five years. With my father's job, he actually worked at the time for Rockwell International. And so as a family, similar to military families, we were pretty tight. I have an amazing younger brother named Paul. My parents, Dawn and Glenn. We did a lot of camping and hiking and enjoying being placed in a variety of states and places. What's interesting about a corporate brat versus a military brat, though is that you tend to enter into communities that aren't used to people arriving or aren't used to people moving in quite as often. And so I've actually found that my kids had a different experience, because they tended to be embraced by the military community. So that movement around kept us close as a nuclear family and just can't thank my folks enough for raising me with those those values - that belief in family, the importance of giving back to your community. I had a great childhood.
Dr. Doug Lindsay 04:25
And so with that kind of moving around, and I like that phrase of a corporate brat, right, because I think it allows us to think about that differently. Because we know the military moves around a lot, but we sometimes don't tend to think that other people do that as well. What were some of those influences that as you grew up that really had an impact on you? Obviously family was really important, but what else was there? Was it things you read, people you met experienced mentors, what was that part?
Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre 04:52
I think that resiliency that you get when you're the new kid and it's October. I'm in class and you're going from algebra class to geometry class. And boy, you missed that first foundational set of proofs. And so that resiliency of, "It's going to be okay. Change is fine." You get uncomfortable with change of other things that kind of focused me. Yeah, you mentioned things that you read. We had different opportunities then. Each new library that we went to... My mom was a librarian. And so reading was vital, and something that was expected in my family. And one day in a new school, I walked into the elementary school's library, and I discovered a new section, it was called the biographies. And I decided in second grade that I was going to start with A and work my way through the alphabet, and was a little miffed when the librarian told me I could only check out two books, two books a week. So apparently, I was destined to be D
USAFA Class of 2010 valedictorian, Maj. Austin McKinney, discusses how the trust he earned and integrity he learned as a cadet led him to the U.S. Department of State where he helps build relationships between U.S. and global leaders.----more----
SUMMARY
Maj. Austin McKinney '10 shares his journey from the Air Force Academy to becoming a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department. He emphasizes the importance of public service, teamwork, and never accepting the first no. McKinney highlights the value of the Academy's wide core curriculum and the opportunities it provides for personal and professional growth. He also discusses the significance of integrity and reputation in leadership and the need to adapt to the changing perspectives and interests of the younger generation. McKinney encourages others to consider the reserves as a way to stay connected to the military and emphasizes the importance of convincing young people of the value of joining the military and the Academy. The conversation explores the importance of storytelling in leadership and the value of being ready to say yes. It emphasizes the need to listen actively and understand the core similarities that unite people across different cultures. The conversation also highlights the challenge of transitioning from a tactical leader to a strategic leader and the importance of building relationships and networks. The key takeaways include the significance of delegation, the need for personal board of advisors, and the importance of being part of a supportive community.
OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"Part of leadership is process. But part of leadership is relationships."
"Leadership by walking around is talking to people and developing those relationships, not sitting in your office and just working on the next memo, or the next email."
"Never never accept the first no."
"Always be ready to say yes."
"We're (USAFA grads) part of a special community and always be contributing two is what I would encourage us all to think about it."
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Background
10:13 The Value of the Academy's Wide Core Curriculum
25:30 Staying Connected: The Reserves and Continued Service
33:42 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership
54:57 Transitioning from Tactical to Strategic Leadership
TAKEAWAYS
- Public service and teamwork are important values instilled at the Air Force Academy.
- Never accept the first no and rely on others for support and success.
- The Academy's wide core curriculum provides opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Integrity and reputation are crucial in leadership.
- Staying connected to the military through the reserves can provide continued opportunities for service.
- It is important to convince young people of the value of joining the military and the Academy. Leadership is about storytelling and sharing experiences.
- Being ready to say yes opens up opportunities and builds trust.
- Active listening and understanding core similarities are crucial in cross-cultural interactions.
- Transitioning from a tactical leader to a strategic leader requires letting go and delegating effectively.
- Building relationships and networks is essential for success as a leader.
- Having a personal board of advisors and being part of a supportive community contribute to personal and professional growth.
MAJ. MCKINNEY'S BIO
Maj. Austin McKinney, an Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), is Joint Strategic Engagement Officer, Joint Reserve Directorate, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He is
responsible for providing guidance and support to a range of innovation programs and rapid fielding initiatives, focusing on the identification, evaluation, and deployment of emerging technologies. Maj. McKinney received his commission in 2010 through the U.S. Air Force Academy. Most recently, he served with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), where he delivered commercial
market insight and program management support to a range of innovation programs in DIU’s autonomy and artificial intelligence / machine learning portfolios. Maj. McKinney has also served in multiple acquisitions program management roles within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), contributing to the discovery, development, and delivery of next-generation weapons systems related to ballistic missile defense and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) technologies. He is also certified as a Foreign Area Officer (FAO) for the Latin American region. He has deployed experience Qatar, Colombia, and Honduras. As a civilian, he is a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) with the U.S. Department of State. In this role, he serves as an economic diplomat to advance American foreign policy interests in trade, investment, and technology. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Maj. McKinney also worked as a Senior Manager for strategy and operations at HubSpot, the high-growth CRM software firm in Cambridge, MA
- Bio copy credit: rt.cto.mil
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Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
SPEAKERS
Our guest, Maj. Austin McKinney '10 | Our host, Dr. Doug Lindsay '92
KEYWORDS
Academy, work, Air Force Academy, leadership, Air Force, opportunities, experience, part, leader, cadet, great, international affairs, served, learned, career, business, officer, active duty, air force officer, talking
The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
A conversation between brothers in arms who have known each other since the early 1980s - one an athlete, the other his coach at the time.----more----
SUMMARY
Neither has ventured far from the Air Force or the Academy. Lt. Gen. Richard Clark ’86, the Academy’s 21st superintendent, opens up about his leadership journey to Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Gould ’76, the man who first coached him all those years ago. Gen. Clark’s leadership story is exceptional and Gen. Gould does a masterful job of helping him tell it.
OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"The one thing that doesn't change is our mission. And our mission is to develop lieutenants, better leaders of character that are ready to go out and win our wars and that are ready to go out support defend the Constitution. That is it."
"Whenever there's Americans on the ground, we're going to do whatever it takes to help them you will do whatever it takes."
"Seeing those young guys go out there and do that, and do what they needed to do to help other Americans to help their fellow servicemen that made me prouder than anything."
"I am very happy and comfortable to leave this torch with them to hand the torch off to them. And I'm just proud to have served with them."
"I am leaving with a lot of gratitude in my heart, just from our cadets from our permanent party, from the alumni that helped us do this and the other supporters."
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CHAPTERS
00:00: Introduction and Mission of the Air Force Academy
01:09: Lieutenant General Rich Clark's Background and Career
08:27: Making the Best of Unexpected Assignments
10:18: Leadership in Challenging Situations
00:09: Introduction
07:28: Enhancing the Academy's Facilities and Programs
14:57: Developing Leaders of Character
31:11: The Importance of Alumni and Supporters
37:51: Transitioning to the Role of Executive Director of the College Football Playoff
45:08: Conclusion
TAKEAWAYS
- Leadership is developed through challenging experiences like overcoming adversity, mentoring others, and leading in high-pressure situations like combat.
- Support from family, mentors, and sponsor families can help one persevere through difficult times and find purpose.
- Having an open mind and making the most of unexpected opportunities can lead to unexpected benefits and career success.
- Giving back to one's alma mater through things like financial support, mentorship, and service helps continue its mission and benefits future generations.
- Expressing gratitude to those who support your mission helps foster positive relationships and a sense of shared purpose.
LT. GEN. CLARK'S BIO
Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark ’86 is the Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He directs a four-year regimen of military training, academics, athletic and character development programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force or United States Space Force.
Lt. Gen. Clark graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1986. His commands include the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph AFB, Texas; Eighth Air Force, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and Joint Functional Component Commander for Global Strike, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. He has also served as a White House Fellow in Washington, D.C.; the Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado; Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, Cairo, Egypt, and as the Commander, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Prior to his current assignment, Lt. Gen. Clark served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
- Copy and image credit: af.mil
ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
FULL TRANSCRIPT
OUR SPEAKERS
Our guest is Lt. Gen. Richard Clark ’86 | Our host is Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Gould ’76
Lt. Gen. Richard Clark 00:12
The one thing that doesn't change is our mission. And our mission is to develop lieutenants, better leaders of character, that are ready to go out and win our wars and that are ready to go out and support and defend the Constitution. That’s it.
Announcer 00:27
Welcome to the Long Blue Leadership podcast. These are powerful conversations with United States Air Force Academy graduates who have lived their lives with distinction. All leaders of character who candidly share their stories, including their best and worst moments, the challenges they've overcome the people and events that have shaped who they are, and who willingly lend their wisdom to advance your leadership journey. Your host for this special presentation of Long Blue Leadership is Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Gould, USAFA class of ’76 and currently serving as a member of the Association and Foundation board of directors. And now, Gen. Mike Gould.
Lt. Gen Mike Gould 01:09
My guest today is Lt. Gen. Rich Clark, the 21st superintendent of the Air Force Academy, Class of ’86 at USAFA, and if I'm not mistaken, you're about 46 days away from retiring. After a 38-year career, that when you think about it, has spanned so much in our country, starting with the Cold War through conflicts in Southwest Asia, in the Middle East, and the culture wars that we all experience today. I think his experience in active duty is highlighted most by seven commands that he's held; a bomb squadron, a training wing, to numbered Air Force's, the joint functional component command for Global Strike, served as the commandant of cadets here at the Academy. And now like I said, as the 21st superintendent. In addition to that, Gen. Clark served as the senior defense official, and the defense attaché in Cairo during some interesting times, and also served as a White House fellow. And if that's not enough, he's flown over 4,200 hours in the B1, both the EC and KC-135, the T1, the T38, the T6 and the T21. And most notably, 400 of those hours are in combat. So Rich, as you look back on the past nearly four decades of service, I'm sure you have a lot to think about as it's all coming to an end. And really, how it all started. I'd like you to please share with us a little bit about your life as a young child. And you know, some of the influential people who you met in your formative years, and then kind of how that led you here to the Air Force Academy.
Lt. Gen. Richard Clark 02:58
Wow, well, first, can I call you Coach, General Gould?
Lt. Gen. Mike Gould 03:02
You (can) call me Coach…
Lt. Gen. Richard Clark 03:03
I’ll call you Coach because you were my coach when I was here, and you saw me walk in the doors here. So, I'll talk a little bit about that. But I just want to thank you for letting me be here today. This is a real honor. So, thank you.
Lt. Gen. Richard Clark
But I grew up in the Bay Area, Oakland, Berkeley, California, and my parents were divorced. So, it was my mother, my brother and I. And then when my mom got remarried, we moved to the East Coast to Richmond, Virginia, and that's where I went to high school, and not a military family. My dad was drafted back in the Vietnam era. He served a short tour, so I don't really remember those days. So, I don't consider myself really from a military family and really hadn't considered joining the military. I played football, I played a lot of sports. Growing up, football was my primary — and track actually, but football the primarily, and I had signed to go to William & Mary in Virginia, and I was going with my best friend from high school and actually in junior high. And Coach Ken Hatfield came to my house. And the Air Force had been recruiting me. So did Army and Navy. And he actually came to my house though and visited my parents. And he had dinner at our house, and my mom thought, “He is such a nice man. And he was like, “Look, just come out and see the Air Force Academy.” Now what he didn’t know was that I wanted to, I was very interested in flying more commercial. I always thought I wanted to be a commercial pilot. And he convinced me to come out. My mom was like, “Just go; it's free.” You know, I was like, OK, and so I still had a couple of college visits left. So, I came to the Air Force Academy. I'll be honest, I got here and after seeing the place and seeing the opportunities to fly — just to have a great education and to play Division I college football, I was hooked. And I, my dad — my stepdad who I consider my dad — made me call the coach at William & Mary tell him I was changing my mind. And I signed and came to Air Force. And when I got off the bus and got on those footprints , and they started yelling at me, I was like, “Hey, wait, I'm a football player. You're not supposed to yell at me.” That's what I thought. And that was not true. And the rest is history. And, you know, it was an important decision in my life, certainly. But, you know, I appreciate Coach Hatfield being persistent and coming to get me and, you know, talk to my parents, formative people, obviously. But it was a great decision. Great decision.
Lt. Gen. Mike Gould 05:48
Did you also visit West Point and or Annapolis?
Lt. Gen. Richard Clark 05:52
I did not because I didn't want to go to a — I wasn't interested, really in a service academy. What I will say, though, I did fill out an application to Air Force before Coach Hatfield came. And I did go and do an interview with my congressional member. Because my guidance counselor convinced me to do that in case I didn't get another good offer from somewhere else. And I actually got a congressional appointment. But then the Academy contacted me, and I told them I was going to turn it down. And that's when Coa
A conversation with Maj. Julian “Cosmo” Gluck '12, a flyer with the heart of a pilot, the soul of a golden age aviator, and an insatiable yearning to learn. Why? In part to support developing leaders of tomorrow.
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SUMMARY
Major Julian "Cosmo" Gluck '12, shares his background and experiences in the Air Force and as a bomber pilot. He discusses his childhood, involvement in various activities, and his decision to join the military. Major Gluck also talks about his leadership roles at the Air Force Academy and the challenges he faced. He then delves into his experience flying B-52s and explains the difference between a pilot and an aviator. Finally, he clarifies the distinction between rated and non-rated officers. He discusses his involvement with the Order of Daedalians, a professional fellowship organization for military aviators. He also shares his experience transitioning to Harvard Business School and the Air Force Reserve and about the importance of leadership across different lanes. Julian reflects on what he has learned about himself and his future plans. He emphasizes the significance of giving back and volunteering, as well as the impact of the Air Force Academy and alumni involvement.
OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"I would say the juxtaposition between the military lifestyle—which often is more regimented—and a desire to both give back and be creative. So these secondary and tertiary desires that I really wanted to have in my personal life and professional life to continue to self-actualize and feel comfortable were always at sort of a crossroads, but the Academy made that possible."
"I think there is a lot of strength in knowing that you do not know something. And through my time in business school, there is a lot that I think many of those who are coming from civilian careers—that more directly relate to business—would think is just information that everyone is armed with that is absent for many of us who were not as directly involved in running for-profit organizations or who weren't involved in sales, investment banking, or any of these other careers."
"I would say, I'm going to do a plug for the AOG: If there are things that you want your AOG to do, you are the person who can help facilitate that as well, just like I aim to, like many others. An alumni organization, a nonprofit, a charity is only as strong as its membership corps."
"I think overall down the road, as long as I'm making a positive impact in my circle and in my community, that's the most important thing to me. Like, I don't want to give up the uniform. I've loved serving in the Air Force, and I'll stay in the Air Force Reserve—hopefully as long as they'll keep me—and it would be great to have more opportunities to lead again."
"I would leave you with, if you have some time available, if there's money that you're seeking to donate, there is a cause that will resonate with you. Just go to the search engine of your choice, maybe it's Ask Jeeves … [or] go to Lycos—I think that was a search engine—in your Netscape Navigator. Go look up on AOL these interests, and you'll be able to find a charity that works for you.”
- Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck '12
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CHAPTERS
00:00: Introduction and Background
04:01: Childhood and Life Before the Academy
08:01: Leadership Roles at the Academy
14:53: Flying B-52s
19:50: Difference Between Rated and Non-Rated
21:30: The Order of Daedalians
26:14: Transitioning to Harvard Business School
30:06: Leadership Across Different Lanes
33:08: Learning About Oneself
37:15: Future Plans
40:10: Giving Back and Volunteering
42:37: The Air Force Academy and Alumni Involvement
TAKEAWAYS FOR YOU
- The Order of Daedalians is the professional fraternal order of military aviators and commemorates the service and valor of World War I pilots while providing fellowship for current and former flyers today.
- Programs like the Civil Air Patrol—the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force—provide another avenue for service members, veterans, and civilians to give back in meaningful ways.
- Transitioning from the military to civilian life can provide opportunities for strategic development and new ways to support organizations.
- Leadership takes different forms in various contexts, from leading in the military to leading in the classroom.
- Humility and the willingness to learn from others are important qualities for personal growth and effective leadership.
- Giving back and volunteering in various organizations can provide a sense of fulfillment and make a positive impact in the community.
- The Air Force Academy and alumni involvement play a significant role in shaping individuals and fostering a sense of pride and service.
MAJ. GLUCK'S BIO
Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck is a reservist in the Defense Innovation Unit in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He additionally serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Department of the Air Force Company Grade Officers’ Council, supporting the 47,000 captains and lieutenants of the Air & Space Forces.
Maj. Gluck grew up in LaGrange, Georgia and received his commission in 2012 as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. During his career he was selected as the 2018 Air Force Times Airman of the Year, received the 2019 Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award, was named to the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30, and chosen as one of the 2023 Ten Outstanding Young Americans by JCI USA.
Prior to his current position, Maj. Gluck served on Air Combat Command staff; served as Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of Seventh Air Force; led 64 aircrew flight equipment and SERE personnel; and was Executive Officer for the Department of Defense’s largest bomb group. He is an instructor pilot in the B-52H Stratofortress and is a graduate of Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training. Maj. Gluck flew combat missions in Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL out of Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar and has deployed in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Air Medal
- Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Air Force Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
- German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency in Gold
PUBLICATIONS
“Opening the Door to Cultural Understanding and Mutual Cooperation,” Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, June 2021
“The Gray Legion: Information Warfare Within Our Gates,” Journal of Strategic Security, December 2021
“Kasa-obake: A Spirited Case against Abandoning the U.S.-Japan Nuclear Umbrella,” On the Horizon, May 2022
“South Korea’s Second Sight: Risks and Rewards for the ROK-US Alliance with Russia,” Issues & Insights, June 2023
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
- British-American Project
- Center for a New American Security
- Council for the United States and Italy
- Order of Daedalians
- Pacific Forum
CONNECT WITH JULIAN
LINKEDIN | @JULIANRGLUCK ON INSTAGRAM
ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP
Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!
TRANSCRIPT
OUR SPEAKERS
Guest, Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck '12 | Your Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99
Naviere Walkewicz 00:01
My guest today is Maj. Julian “Cosmo” Gluck, USAFA Class of 2012 graduate of distinction based in Boston. He is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve in the Defense Innovation Unit and pursuing his MBA at the Harvard Business School. There is so much in Maj. Gluck's background that we’ll just touch the surface for now. He flew B-52s for more than six years, and in 2023 he was named one of 10 outstanding young Americans, which puts him in the company of American presidents, statesmen and generals, including the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation’s Gen. Mike Gould, Class of ’76, who received the honor in 1985. In 2020, Maj. Gluck was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list for law and policy. In 2018, he was named Air Force Times airman of the year. He is a published author, public speaker and contributor to international discourse on public policy, sharing his lessons in leadership with students in elementary school, at university, senior leaders in defense, nonprofits, and national level elected policymakers. We’ll talk with Maj. Gluck about his work as a member of the Air Force Reserve, and how that relates to his membership in the Order of Daedalians, a fraternal organization founded after World War I comprised of aviators. He is a gregarious man of warmth, humility and humor, always willing to share what he knows with those aspiring to become aviators, lead or be better leaders, and always ready with an enthusiastic, “Howdy!” This should be a very enjoyable conversation. Joining us from Boston, Julian, welcome to Long Blue Leadership.
Maj. Julian Gluck ’12 01:42
Well, I feel like I have to say howdy now, but I was gonna’ say it anyway. So good to be here.
Naviere Walkewicz 01:46
Howdy. So glad you're here with us today. Thank you for making the time. We are really excited to learn more about your thoughts on leadership. But as we like to, we want to kind of take a step back, rewind the time a little bit and learn about young Julian. Why don't we start there? Tell us about your childhood life before the Academy.
Maj. Julian Gluck ’12 02:06
Sure. So, I grew up all around primarily the southeastern United States. My dad's a pilot and was going through different positions. My mom's an occupational therapist. They had met in Texas, but I was born in Florida. And then over the course of my childhood, I lived in Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia, where I finished out elementary school
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