Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Bradford J. Shwedo ’87, uniquely suited to his calling, explains how he leverages lessons from the past to equip present-day warriors to dominate future warfare.   

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SUMMARY

A leader of warriors can never over-prepare for potential battle. Lt. Gen. Shwedo, director of USAFA’s Institute for Future Conflict, draws on the distant past to teach today’s cadets how to lead tomorrow’s warriors into 21st century battles and win.

 

LEARN. ENGAGE. LEAD!

Read more about the IFC in the first of a three-part series, Future Focus, in December 2023 Checkpoints! (Pg. 42)      

OUR FAVORITE QUOTES IN THIS EPISODE

"I saw that the Air Force figured out how to win with what you got. They would figure out a way through leadership to win with what they got."

"Leadership is all about working with people, and you've got to understand people."

"I work for you, I'm removing your impediments so you can do that, you know, kill the bad guys."

"Don't forget who you are. There were there were times when we were shoveling show. I have learned to show up when it's crappy."

"My focus had to be the Dean. And the direction comes from the national defense strategy. So we actually have a meeting a week with the futures guys. And that gives us insight."

VIDEO:  BRIEF ON THE IFC TO THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES AND FOUNDATION - 1-11-2024

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:24 Early Competitive Streak and Decision to Join Air Force Academy

06:16 Being Open to Opportunities and Trusting the Process

07:38 Preparation and Academic Background

09:30 The Importance of Studying History and Being Prepared

10:56 Leadership Lessons from the West Wing

12:52 The Shift to Special Access Programs and New Ways of Thinking

16:34 Leading in Cyber and Intelligence Operations

17:30 The Decision to Join the Institute for Future Conflict

19:22 Shifting the Focus of Leadership and Academics

20:50 Helping Cadets Understand the Larger System

23:13 Preparing Cadets for the Future Fight

25:43 The Rise of Third Parties in Warfare

26:37 Motivating and Understanding People as a Leader

28:52 Are Leaders Born or Made?

30:19 Lessons in Leadership: Don't Forget Who You Are

31:17 Advice for the Next Generation of Warriors and Leaders

34:07 Leadership is About Working with People

36:21 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

OUR FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS

- Leadership is about working with people and understanding what motivates them.

- Being open to opportunities and trusting the process can lead to valuable experiences and career paths.

- Studying history and being prepared can provide a strong foundation for future challenges.

- Leaders must be aware of the changing nature of warfare and the rise of third parties in conflict.

GENERAL SHWEDO'S BIO

Lt. Gen. (Ret) Bradford J. Shwedo '87 is the Director, Institute for Future Conflict. Previous to this position, he was the Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4)/Cyber, Chief Information Officer, Joint Staff, J6, the Pentagon.

Lt. Gen. Shwedo has commanded at the detachment, squadron, group, wing and numbered air force levels. During these commands, his units were engaged in direct support to Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and the greater Global War on Terror providing worldwide Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Cyber operations. He also led an Intelligence Team to Desert Shield/Storm. His last command was 25th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, where he led 30,000 personnel in worldwide operations, delivering multisource ISR products, applications, capabilities and resources. When he was the Chief, Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, he led four directorates that supported 77,000 personnel and cyber operations across the globe with a portfolio valued at $17 billion.

Lt. Gen. Shwedo graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1987 with a degree in Military History and was also a student athlete, lettering in football.

- Copy and image courtesy of www.USAFA.edu

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IFC

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

SPEAKERS

Our host is Dr. Doug Lindsay '92  |  Our guest is Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Bradford J. Shwedo '87

Gen. Shwedo  00:01

I saw the Air Force figured out how to win with what you got. They would figure out a way through leadership to win with what they got. They would put us in situations where they would facilitate our positives and negate our negatives. So, when you sit there and go, “Well, you didn't give me X, Y or Z, so we lost.” No, my expectation is we'll work to get what you need. But the expectation is still you win with what you got.

Doug Lindsay  00:55

My guest today is Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Bradford J. Shwedo, USAFA Class of 1987. Gen. Shwedo leads the Air Force Academy's Institute for Future Conflict as its first director. Throughout our conversation, you'll hear us refer to the Institute as the IFC. Gen. Shwedo was named to the position in March 2021 by Academy Superintendent, Gen. Richard Clark. The IFC is preparing cadets to wage and win wars in nontraditional domains. As we progress through our conversation with Gen. Shwedo, you will quickly understand why he was chosen to lead this pioneering institution where future-think informs everything they do. The general graduated from the Academy with a bachelor's in military history while also lettering in football. His career led him into an intelligence space, beginning with an assignment at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas in 1989, then Germany and Saudi Arabia. He served as threat manager with the 487th Intelligence Group from 1993 to 1995. He moved to the Pentagon as offensive information warfare chief in 1995. Between 1998 and 2020, he spent time in Korea, several assignments at CIA headquarters in Virginia, at Buckley Air Force base here in Colorado, and several more assignments at the Pentagon. He served in multiple command and leadership positions, and at one point was in charge of four directorates supporting 77,000 personnel, global cyber operations and assets valued at $17 billion. He's a consummate warrior, logistician, strategist and leader. Gen. Shwedo. Welcome to Long Blue Leadership.

Gen. Shwedo  02:33

Thanks so much. The pleasure is mine. Thanks a lot for having me.

Doug Lindsay  02:36

Absolutely. Let's, let's start kind of at the beginning if we if we can.  It seems like from an early age that you had a competitive streak.  Can you talk a little bit behind that background and that upbringing?

Gen. Shwedo  02:48

So, I will tell you, I was very, very pleased when the Air Force came knocking. And it started with football, as you brought up. And I was recruited as a high schooler to come out here and play and I think as what you were talking about my earlier career. I think I'm very much a product of the Academy across the board. It's not just one single piece. And one of the larger ones, though, was football, and quite honestly, and we'll talk about history, because that was very much one and then different comms programs, also big influences, but coming here to play football, it was amazing to me. There were so many great athletes, I wasn't one of them. But it was amazing to me every Saturday, we would go out there and we'd look at these guys that any layman would say there's no way these guys are going to win. And I learned a lot about leadership and a lot about, you know,