New AFIT commander focuses on military education system

  • Published
  • By Kim Curry
  • Air Force Institute of Technology Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) --  Brig. Gen. Paula G. Thornhill accepted command of the Air Force Institute of Technology from Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Air University commander, during a ceremony July 31.  She replaced Brig. Gen. Mark T. Matthews who will become the director of plans and programs at Air Combat Command. 

"Every year, AFIT produces three things," General Lorenz said.  "The first is students. The second is faculty. The third is ideas, and those ideas are renowned throughout the Air Force." 

The focus of General Thornhill's comments was on what makes the American military education system tick.

"In my mind," she said, "AFIT is the big hand on that clock. This institution is a great, superlative example of American military education. First, there is a clear sense of mission here. That mission is addressing current and future national security issues.

"Second, there is a recognition that it is critical to put together a curriculum that supports that mission, one that is vibrant, robust and flexible. That curriculum produces students who are ready to face the unknown. And it's just that, the unknown, that is always the biggest national security challenge.

"What truly separates AFIT from the rest, though, is the people," she said. "You all are obviously highly qualified. But more than that, you have a very clear sense of commitment to something higher than yourselves.

"You have a sense of service," the general said. "I think that comes from a clear understanding of what I call the Airman-scholar ethos. There's a nexus between being a thinker and being a doer, and the people at AFIT understand that you have to do both."