Page 4 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt – November 2025

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November 21, 2025 News Thunderbolt www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb http://www.luke.af.mil
Chaplain’s thoughts ...
Racing Through Change:
Lessons From Cars 3 for the next decade of military service
Senior Airman TABITHA W. KAMAU
Religious Affairs 56th FW
While watching Cars 3 on Disney+, I could not help but notice the striking cor- relations between a movie made in 2017 and the realities the military is facing right now as an organization. The story may revolve around animated cars, but its message hits close to home for anyone serving in the military today.
Cars 3 follows Lightning McQueen, a legendary racer whose era of dominance is shaken when a newcomer named Jackson Storm enters the scene. Sleek, technologi- cally advanced, and faster than ever, Storm embodies a new generation. When he beats McQueen effortlessly, everyone — includ- ing McQueen himself — is stunned. The veteran racer suddenly finds himself facing an identity crisis as his old methods no lon- ger work as well. This moment in the movie reflects a truth we are now living: change does not ask for permission. It arrives and demands adaptation.
A mirror to military transformation
The U.S. military is undergoing a major transformation that mirrors McQueen’s
journey. The institution is being restruc- tured to re-prioritize readiness, discipline, and warfighting. In Cars 3, Lightning McQueen is analogous to the experienced service member who’s been in the game long enough to master his craft. But when new technology and methods arise, Lightning quickly realizes that his old ways are no longer enough.
He experiences self-doubt, frustration, and even a major crash — symbolic of the breakdowns that happen when we resist evolution. However, McQueen’s turning point comes when he stops fighting the change and starts learning from it. He trains differ- ently, humbles himself under new leader- ship, and learns from his mentor’s legacy. Instead of giving up, he embraced innova- tion and through that process, he not only finds renewed purpose but helps others rise alongside him.
That’s precisely where the military is today. The Jackson Storms of the future — new systems, renewed standards, and new warfare — are already here. And just like McQueen, we have two choices: resist and fall behind, or adapt and rise stronger. We must embody the mindset that defines great war- riors — humility, resilience, and adaptability.
Here’s what Cars 3 teaches us about facing change:
• Be a student again. Even veterans must learn new ways of thinking and operating. Stay teachable, curious, and open to feedback.
• Embrace discomfort. Growth always feels awkward before it feels natural. Let the discomfort stretch you, not stop you.
• Seek mentorship. Just as McQueen found wisdom in his mentor Doc Hudson, we must seek and share guidance across ranks.
• Redefine success. Winning may not always look the same; it might mean train- ing others, improving systems, or leading in new ways.
• You decide when you’re done. Age, rank, or change doesn’t determine your relevance—your willingness to evolve does.
A final word: Adaptation is survival
Just as Lightning McQueen discovered that his value extended beyond racing, we too must recognize that our worth as service members is not bound to the past — but to our ability to adapt for the future.
Courtesy photo
Senior Airman Tabitha Kamau
The military of tomorrow will continue to demand physical strength, mental agility, and emotional resilience. Change is not the enemy—it’s the proving ground. So, as we move into this new era of reform, let us face it like warriors—with humility, cour- age, and the audacity to evolve. Because in the words of Cars 3, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
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