VCSAF shares words of wisdom with AFDW leaders

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyenne A. Adams
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  A small group of Air Force officers had the opportunity to hear words of wisdom directly from one of the Air Force's top senior leaders during a special visit here April 26.
 
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove spoke at the Air Force District of Washington's Commander's Course to a group of officers who are or will soon be commanding squadron- or group-level organizations in the National Capital Region.

"Being connected to our Airmen as a commander at your level is 'life blood,'" Breedlove said. "This is when you have an opportunity to really know and understand your mission, and all your people. It is an absolutely fantastic level to operate at."

He reminded the small group of officers that command is something most strive for, but for which few are selected.

"This is a big deal, and you will contend with some amazing issues, but with the good comes the tough," he said. "You were picked for a reason. So learn how to do it smarter, and how to do it more efficiently."

The four-star general said he continues to be amazed at where the Air Force has been, where it is headed, and what it continues to accomplish on a daily basis.

"It still impresses me how much we can do in so many places," Breedlove said, citing the thousands of Airmen supporting operations in U.S. Central Command as an example. "We're still out there alongside our Army, Navy and Marine Corps brethren on a daily basis."

The senior leader spoke of a military working dog handler in the U.S. CENTCOM AOR who lost his right leg due to an improvised explosive device, saying the Airman represents the service and sacrifice of all Air Force members.

"We're being called on to fight every day," Breedlove said. "It is your job as commanders to keep our Airmen ready, outfitted, trained and supported in every way possible so that they don't need to worry about things they shouldn't have to worry about.

"Keep your young enlisted members and officers able to focus on the mission. You should worry about the other stuff for them."

The senior leader went on to explain how every Airman in today's Air Force is "connected to the fight," and charged the upcoming commanders in the room to ensure they taught their Airmen that connection.

"Imagine the impact in Afghanistan or Iraq if Air Mobility Command just stopped flying rotators to get our servicemembers and supplies to theater," Breedlove said. "Imagine if the young Airmen and noncommissioned officers who enable our Global Positioning System satellites didn't show up to work."

Breedlove said these and other Air Force missions have always been, and will continue to be, highly requested and depended upon by all the services.

"We're a huge part of the joint team, but we don't need to beat our chests about it," he said. "The way we make ourselves known is by doing what we do with pure excellence. That speaks for itself."

The general told the leaders in the room that such excellence is expected of them by Air Force senior leadership, and that he expects them to also demand it of their people.

"The Air Force has continued to grow smaller over the last 12 years, so there is no dead weight in our service," he said. "We must exemplify and demand performance from ourselves and others. We need to demand functional expertise from our young Airmen, and we need to give them the support they need to be effective."

The vice chief of staff closed with some additional leadership tips, to include: using words to lift Airmen up; leading with openness and humility; being loyal up and down the chain of command, and with one's peers; always focusing on the mission; persevering through struggles; embracing a positive attitude; maintaining character; and arming oneself with knowledge.

"Always remember your impact at every level," Breedlove said. "You are the ones making real contact with real people every day."