Great Leadership is a Constant, Dempsey Tells Texas A&M Cadets

By Lisa Ferdinando

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Feb. 19, 2015 – Despite the many challenges in the world, the one constant in the nation's history is great leadership, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey spoke to members of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University.

Dempsey told the cadets their future is bright, whether they serve the nation in uniform or choose a career in the private sector. Cadets here are not obligated to join the military, but only the service academies produce more military officers than Texas A&M.

"My prediction is that you will do far more in your careers for your nation than I've been privileged to do for mine," he told the 2,400 cadets at dinner at the school's dining facility, referring to today's complex security challenges.

Facing Future Challenges

After a hearty "Howdy!" -- the greeting of the "Aggies," as the students are known -- the chairman said the future will "take every bit of your energy, your enthusiasm, your leadership, your dedication, your confidence.”

"I came here because I wanted to not just listen to or see, but feel the Aggie spirit," he remarked. That happened earlier in the evening, he added, when he served as the reviewing officer as the cadet corps marched by him. Each A&M unit passed, rendering a salute with their sabers, as they marched to the music of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.

Great leadership is what Texas A&M provides to the state, the nation and the armed forces, the chairman said.

"There are plenty of adversaries to be dealt with, and plenty of uncertainty in the world," he said. "The one constant throughout my time in the military, and I think throughout our history if you study it closely, is leadership -- good, solid, selfless, professional leadership."

Cadets who choose to work in the private sector can "help us lead our way through our own domestic challenges," Dempsey said.

"In uniform or not, you all face an incredible future -- one that you should be really enthusiastic about -- and I know that in your own way, in your own time, you will answer the call," he said.

First Female Corps of Cadets Leader

Among the cadets Dempsey met was Alyssa Marie Michalke, who was named Feb. 16 as the first woman to lead the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets since the school's founding in 1876.

"It's a great honor and great privilege to be selected for this position," said Michalke, who will take command at the end of the spring semester and serve through the 2015-2016 school year. "I'm looking forward to serving this university and this corps alongside with some of the best leaders the corps has to offer."

She noted that the first female cadets four decades ago overcame obstacles and hostility to blaze that trail at Texas A&M.

"They're the real heroes in my mind," she added. "It's kind of just a great honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as some of these great females who came through here."

Michalke, a junior with a dual major in ocean and civil engineering, said she plans to work in the offshore oil industry in platform design or sub-sea systems.

The commandant of the corps, retired Army Brig. Gen. Joe Ramirez Jr., praised Michalke’s selection. "It is very historic -- another very important day for our corps and our university," he said.

"I tell people that's a big deal, but I also want them to understand that she was selected for that position because she earned it," he said. "She was the best cadet for the positon, and that's why she got it. Her gender had nothing to do with it."

A Proud Military Tradition

"This is an exciting time for Texas A&M and our corps,” Ramirez said. “We've never had the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visit our campus before, so for us, especially in this particular time in our country's history, it's very, very important for us."

The school has produced many great officers in its history and will continue to do so, he said. It is "very humbling" knowing many members of the corps will be the next generation of warfighters, he added.

"But it also makes me proud that at a time when our country needs young men and women to step up to serve and Aggies are still answering the call," he said.

Dempsey is scheduled to address a student conference on national affairs today about the use of military power.

Coast Guard Leader Celebrates, Champions Diversity

By Shannon Collins

DoD News Features, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2015 – When Terri A. Dickerson, the director of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Civil Rights, was a little girl growing up in New Orleans, she attended a segregated Catholic school. As the school was desegregated, she witnessed violence, bombings and demonstrations.

“I grew up with the unfairness, the slights, the insults that people experienced and had to find ways of dealing with because there was not an alternative,” she said. But Dickerson said she knew she had everything she needed to be successful in her environment, and she worked hard.

She said her mother was a school teacher and her father served in World War II in the Army. Both, she said, focused on her education and instilled in her the sense of equity and fairness she would bring to the U.S. Coast Guard as the first female African American senior executive.

National African American History Month

President Barack Obama proclaimed February as National African American History Month. Dickerson said this month is important to the Coast Guard because “talent, courage, patriotism -- those things are gender- and color-blind.”

“National African American History Month deepens our understanding and appreciation of the people who, through the years, fought for rights and freedoms that they themselves didn’t have because of discrimination, but still they persevered and prevailed,” she added.

This year’s National African American History Month theme is “A Century of Black Life, History and Culture.” Dickerson said many African Americans have made monumental contributions that have shaped the strength of the Coast Guard, such as Rear Adm. Erroll Brown, the first African American to achieve the rank of admiral in the Coast Guard, to Dr. Olivia Hooker, who in 1944 was the first African American female to enlist in the Coast Guard.

Dickerson said even before the Coast Guard officially became the Coast Guard, African Americans were unofficially serving in roles such as a lighthouse keeper or on an all-African American life-saving crew. She said the Coast Guard can also claim Alex Haley, who was a cook and writer in the Coast Guard before he left to write “Roots.”

Dickerson said honoring those who have gone before during this month is important but the more important narrative is championing the benefits of diversity.

“For 70 years, beginning in 1890, that was when all the Jim Crow, separate but equal laws were enacted, and so there was a separate society,” she said. “We are still suffering the lingering effects of those years. It doesn’t get undone overnight.”

Dickerson said her goal as a leader is to change that narrative to champion diversity so the Coast Guard is successful in its missions.

‘Talent is Gender- and Color-Blind’

“Diversity [means] every person should have the opportunity within the workforce to reach his or her potential,” she said. “It’s incumbent on managers to understand how to manage and motivate people who are different, how to bring out the best in them so they can contribute to the mission.

“Talent is gender- and color-blind and in order to have the best possible workforce we can’t afford not to include everyone in it,” Dickerson continued. “People from diverse backgrounds will see things and bring experiences that help to round out the whole picture. A diverse team brings different takes, lifestyles, sensibilities, different ways of looking at things, different ways of solving problems. We are a better, more effective agency because of that diversity.”

When Coast Guard members are performing a rescue, she said, “they really don’t care what color the hand is on the other side of that interaction or what church they go to or what they do in their private time. All they want to know is, do you have the strength, courage, training and capability to get them out of the situation they’re in?”

Dickerson added, “And those attributes really don’t discriminate based on anything, not on gender, not on color -- and this is really what diversity is about.”

Chiefs hone skills in leadership course

by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane
USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs

2/4/2015 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Fifty-five chief master sergeant selects from around U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa came together to share ideas and engage in discussion during the week-long Chiefs' Leadership Course at Ramstein Air Base, Germany Jan. 26-30.

Making the transition from senior master sergeant to chief is more than an extra stripe and a pay raise, and this course is designed to prepare them for that step.
The course opened with congratulations from Chief Master Sgt. James E. Davis, USAFE-AFAFRICA command chief.

"There were 479 senior master sergeants notified of promotion out of the more than 2500 eligible," Davis said. "Fifty-five of you all are here this morning, and you deserve to be here. And guess what? There are no tests. No awards. The benefit is you walking away more enriched than when you came in."

The course focused on the many changes that will occur in the careers of the new chiefs.

"You are going to find that people tend to gravitate toward you," Davis said "and they are going to want to know what you know. And you have to make sure you are caught up with the most current events."

Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Tester, 1st Combat Communications Squadron, explained that the course offered them a perspective that is invaluable to their development as chiefs.

"Attending a course like this gives us an opportunity to get critical insight from senior leaders who have experienced the challenges the new position will bring," said Tester.

While the course offers the attendees a chance to exchange ideas and learn from senior leaders, it is only a stepping stone to success according to Tester.

"No course will give you all the answers and prepare you for every situation you may face," Tester explained. "However, this course certainly provided the information that will help you make better decisions for your people and organization."

Senior Master Sgt. Quinton Burris, Armed Forces Network Aviano, walked away with a piece of information that was new to him, even as a Chief select.

"Identifying one part as most beneficial is tough," said Burris, "but something that truly resonated with me is the difference between information, understanding and knowledge. Information is great but is available to all. Understanding is the coupling of information with a personal or tangible experience. And knowledge, well that is the holy grail of it all that melds the information and understanding into wisdom, which is developed through time, perseverance and humility."

Many of the chief selects work in units where their direct supervisor is a field grade officer. So to attendees, like Tester, the chance to interact with general officers and command chiefs was the biggest benefit of the course.

"You can read about leadership in a book or get information from Power Point slides all day," Tester said, "but that will never replace real life experience.  Hearing their perspective and how they dealt with situations during their careers will help me make better decisions down the road."

Most importantly though, the course taught them how to be a better Airman and a chief you can look up to.

"Being a chief means that your work has just begun," said Burris. "It means I have a debt to pay. I have  to pay it forward."

Overcoming failures

By Maj. Eric Tucker, 509th Communications Squadron commander / Published January 23, 2015

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFNS) -- You will fail. The question is, how will you respond?

This reminds me of a parable of the carrot, egg and coffee.

A senior airman was distraught when he learned he did not make staff sergeant after his first time testing. His staff sergeant supervisor saw a teaching opportunity and the next day he filled three pots with water and placed each on a stove. After they came to a boil, he placed carrots in the first pot, eggs in the second and ground coffee in the last.

After 20 minutes, he fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out into a cup. Turning to the senior airman, the staff sergeant asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs and coffee," the senior airman replied.

Then he asked the senior airman to feel the carrots, which he did and noted they were soft and mushy.

The staff sergeant then asked the senior airman to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, the senior airman observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked the senior airman to sip the coffee. He smiled as he tasted the coffee with its rich aroma.

The senior airman said, "nice, but what does all of this mean?"

The staff sergeant laughed and explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -- boiling water -- but each reacted differently.

"Which are you?" the staff sergeant asked, "are you a carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, becomes soft and loses strength? Are you the egg that appears not to change but whose heart is hardened?

“Or, are you the coffee bean that changes the hot water, the very circumstances that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases its fragrance and flavor. If you are like the coffee bean, when things are at their worst, your very attitude will change your environment for the better, making it sweet and palatable."

When you face failure, will you be the carrot, egg or coffee? I offer three suggestions when dealing with failure. First, own up to your failures. Don't explain failures away, instead deal with them head-on. Don't look around for other people to blame. That happens way too often today. Admit your failures and take accountability for them. Being accountable for your failures shows responsibility. Accepting your failure will give you the courage to apologize, if that's appropriate to the situation.

Taking ownership of your failures enables the second step, learning: FAIL (First Attempt In Learning). This is how you need to view failures -- a lesson on what didn't work. While learning from your mistakes, don't expect a miracle recovery overnight. Take the time you need to learn the appropriate lessons. Don't short-circuit the process. Bouncing back is good, but you want to bounce back in a healthy way and not force it. Forcing it will only hinder your opportunity for growth. The beautiful thing about failure is it teaches you the resiliency needed to cope with future failures. Also, don't go in alone. Ask for help if you need it. I like this quote from B.F Skinner: "A failure is not always a mistake; it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying."

Third, with the wisdom gained from growing through your failure -- thrive. Life isn't about luck. Life is about hard work -- hard work that is born from failure. Learning from failure and thriving from the growth you made will help reach your full potential in life.

We never try to fail on purpose. But at the same time if you stay so far away from failure, if you don't ever push yourself to where failure is a possibility, you're probably not pushing yourself enough. Failure presents opportunities for personal growth. It also teaches you about willpower, persistence, self-discipline and hard work. I encourage people to be empowered, take initiative and move out. Step out of your comfort zone and take a chance. There are very few "one strike and you're out" failures in the Air Force. Be adventurous and try something new. If you fail, own up to it, learn from it, change your circumstances and thrive!

Don't be a carrot or an egg.

Commentary: Lead with action

by Master Sgt. Kenneethia Kennard
48th Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity

1/21/2015 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England  -- What type of leader are you?

Do you simply tell others what you expect, or do you show them with action?

As many know, this past Monday, Jan. 19, was reserved to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, who led by example. He didn't just have a dream and tell others; he actively did his part to make that dream a reality. He led with action, even when it cost him his life.

The American theme remains the same each year: "Remember, Celebrate, Act! A Day on, Not a Day Off."

Its purpose is to ensure we remember the life of Dr. King, celebrate his tireless efforts toward justice and actively follow his example.

Dr. King led with action. He didn't just have a dream and tell others, no, he actively did his part to make that dream a reality.

Each day across the 48th Fighter Wing, we have an opportunity to do the same. The Liberty Wing mission requires leadership with action. When your subordinates see you leap forward with courage to conquer priority tasks, they learn to do the same at their level. When they see you ready when called to deploy, they learn to follow your example. When they see you lead now, instead of when you make the next rank, you show them how to become a premier Air Force asset.

Dr. King's observance is not just another day off work; it is a central beacon to our service. The day reminds us to never shy away from active leadership. Let the reason and symbolism of Dr. King's legacy live in your actions. Lead by example, with courage and determination, so our wing remains Forward, Ready, Now!

Be on the lookout for information about the 48th FW Heritage Day scheduled for Aug. 21. The team will be looking for people to Step Up and Step In. Let's unite the wing through cultural heritage and diversity.  For more information, contact the 48th FW Equal Opportunity office at DSN 226-2468.