Page 3 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, December 3, 2021

2 December 3, 2021 Commentary Desert lightning news s. nevaDa Desert lightning news s. nevaDa news December 3, 2021 3
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What is Your Passion? Grassroots innovation at Nellis impresses chief scientist

by 2nd Lt. Richard Caesar you need to be able to deploy autonomy.”
by Chief Master Sgt. Benji Roberts ever come across. Even if I have already Why are you reenlisting? I understand that are currently facing, we need leaders at Nellis AFB, Nev. The Air Force’s top scientist expressed
Dover AFB, Del. heard him speak, he was an individual I Airmen initially join for a specific reason all levels to first ask themselves what their that although it was encouraging to
made sure to go watch speak at any base whether it be money, travel, to earn their passion is and why they are continuing to According to the Department of the see so much forward thought and new
The U.S. Air Force has taught me lessons event. It was refreshing and recharged us, college degree, or to serve this great coun- serve. Remembering our why will keep us Air Force’s Chief Scientist Dr. Victoria processes being developed at the “op-
and provided very valuable tools for success. allowing us to keep the focus on the mis- try. These motivating factors may be one focus on what is truly important. It can Coleman, Brown’s vision is thriving at erational edge,” more needed to be done
Reliability, a strong work ethic and humility sion. Things would move, and changes of the reasons to join, but having passion is keep us positively motivated to influence Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., at the level from the Air Force leadership level to
are all important characteristics required for would happen as soon as it was brought critical in being a successful leader to those those around us. Now that I am in a posi- that affects the fight most directly. support these volunteer Airmen driving
any leader. However, the trait I feel is vital to his level, and he did this all while using who continue to serve. As someone who tion to carry on the tradition of outstand- “There’s a ton of innovation going on innovation.
and sometimes forgotten is passion. what I like to call words of champions, has been in the greatest Air Force for 23 ing leadership that paved the way for me, here at the base and in the broader Nellis “As leadership, we really need to learn
The definition of passion is, “any power- “WE,” “US,” “OURS,” “TEAM.” His trust years, I continue to serve for the sheer love I remember that our Airmen are brilliant, community,” said Coleman. “What I’m what these people are doing by spending
ful or compelling emotion or feeling, such as that we could accomplish the mission, of it. Influencing young men and women creative and most importantly, they want seeing here is a great deal of excitement more time in places like this, then giv-
love or hate.” It is also defined as, “a strong or along with his desire to push us out of our to be great individuals positively motivates to be here. They want to serve and be posi- and energy, really from the ground up, ing them the fuel and support they need
extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire comfort zone, empowered us to take on me to continue to put on the uniform each tively led. When we apply this enthusiasm and that was really refreshing.” to take this very unique capability that
for anything.” Essentially, if a leader is ener- challenging tasks, all while coaching us day. Often, I come across young Airmen and energy day in and day out, it becomes Coleman visited Nellis Nov. 15-19, they’re building and institutionalize it …
getic about what they do in a positive way, it along the way. His leadership style was a wanting to make this a career and take infectious. Great leaders can have different 2021, to take part in a series of science across the Department of the Air Force,”
becomes infectious to others around them. force multiplier because he drove us to be on the challenges our nation faces. That is leadership styles, but one thing that should and technology discussions. Her group said Coleman
Hopefully, when I describe a leader who critical thinkers while taking calculated the ultimate motivation for me to step my stand out is their passion for their people. also made stops at the Virtual Test and Coleman also revealed that her office
not only enjoys what they do but also push- risks to improve the mission. Leaders like game up and pour every ounce of energy We are definitely in challenging times, so Training Center, the Shadow Operations is working on Management Initiative 9,
es others around them to become success- him see the potential in Airmen; therefore, I have into helping them succeed, much it is critical to have an “all hands on deck” Center- Nellis and the 414th Combat which would recruit and embed much
ful, you can easily think of someone who setting the bar high and driving greatness. like how my chief and so many other great mentality while looking for potential in all Training Squadron. The purpose of the needed technical expertise at the front- Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Josey Blades
has inspired you in the military. For me, I It is their fuel! mentors did for me. of our people. Continue to use your passion visit was to observe how the Nellis mis- line. As part of the initiative, the Air Dr. Victoria Coleman, the Department of the Air Force chief scientist, sits in an interview to
think of a chief master sergeant who was So, I ask, what is your fuel? What is With the new challenges our nation, as a compass to keep you focused because it sion is executed at the operational level. Force would analyze data about which discuss her takeaways from her visit to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 18, 2021. Coleman
one of the most motivated leaders I have your passion? Why did you decide to join? Defense Department and the Air Force will be needed for all of us moving forward. She said her biggest takeaway was career fields or organizations are in need visited Nellis Nov. 15-19 to take part in a series of science and technology discussions.
the grassroots innovation taking place of experts at the Masters or even PhD
at Nellis and spoke of one example that level and seek to fill those spots with erational side, which is where you need specifically what type expertise is needed
a logistics officer’s take on the Profession of arms stood out to her. dedicated personnel. them the most. That’s where you’re going and where.
“There was a team that is looking
While lauding programs such as Spark to do problem solving,” Coleman contin-
Although Coleman is hopeful that
at ways to integrate autonomy into the Cells, she believes embedding dedicated ued. “There’s only so much you can do by this will be the first step in delivering
operations of a regular squadron. There experts directly into units could help picking up the phone. You need to have an extra punch to frontline innovation,
by Maj. George Okorodudu the mission might be, trained personnel conjures the horror of the fight. Despite ing the American flag at Mount Suribachi were four of them, top notch folks, all of drive even more innovation at the op- some organic capability.” she’s encouraged by the work already
Dover AFB, Del. will execute it. To do that, they must follow this, the Marines took the top of the hill, and in the poise of Air Mobility Com- them volunteers,” she said. “They had erational level. Her office anticipates having the first being done by Nellis airmen at the op-
lawful orders to kill or surrender their lives. no matter the cost. When the fighting mand’s pilots taking off on a C-17 aircraft their day jobs. Then in the evenings,
The Normandy Invasion of World War The statement, “I do solemnly swear that was over, the U.S. suffered roughly 28,000 from Kabul airfield with hundreds of “We don’t have nearly as many [tech- round of data analysis for the initiative erational level.
II to liberate Europe resulted in inevitable I will support and defend the Constitution casualties. Nevertheless, the Battle of Iwo Afghan refugees on the aircraft’s wheels they built this team all by themselves, nology experts] as we need on the completed in April 2022, at which point “It’s brilliant and it’s being driven
and they have a great handle on what uniform side and certainly on the op-
deaths for thousands of military members. of the United States against all enemies, Jima produced the iconic photo of the U.S. and wings. Therefore, as we reflect on what they will be able to have a better idea of from the ground up,” she said.
By the time Allied forces liberated Paris, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true Marines raising the American flag over it means to belong in the Profession of
more than 200,000 coalition forces would faith and allegiance to the same; and that I Mount Suribachi. Here too, we see the U.S. Arms, we should reconcile it with our Air
be dead, wounded or missing. will obey the orders of the President of the military upholding its sacred pledge. Force core values. It is essential that we do
It is not controversial to believe that United States and the orders of the officers The U.S. military showcased its pro- because it entails integrity, commitment
there are a few reasons behind such enor- appointed over me, according to regula- fessionalism once more after the 9/11 and excellence. It is our military legacy.
mous sacrifices in blood. So, this piece asks tions and the Uniform Code of Military attacks. Service members followed their A look at America’s wars from its
the reader to reflect on one of those critical Justice. So help me, God.” is, in its simplest orders again into Afghanistan in 2001. inception revealed courage, liberation
sacrificial elements, the Profession of Arms. form, the Profession of Arms. Consequently, the United States-led coali- and sacrifice. Some of our heroes, our
Understanding it is crucial to good order The Normandy landings are instructive tion in Afghanistan toppled the Taliban forbearers, gave the ultimate devotion to
and discipline in the military. once more. The U.S. 1st Division landed at government 98 days after Sept. 11, 2001, the service of our country. This commit-
The Air Force Handbook 1 defines the Omaha Beach to German machine gun- and killed Osama Bin Laden a few years ment was evident again in the final days
Profession of Arms as the ability to use ners shooting at them. By daybreak, they later. The Afghan war spanned another of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
lethal military force and the willingness would suffer 2,000 casualties. Those service 20 years of fighting that saw more Ameri- The U.S. military followed orders. In the
of service members to sacrifice their lives members charged into bullets gallantly. So, can military casualties. Yet, brave U.S. end, our past and present heights demand
in defense of the United States. In addition, here too, it seems plausible to infer that the service members answered our nation’s that we maintain the Profession of Arms
values, standards, expertise and ethics Profession of Arms was a factor in driving call and served gallantly. They followed to preserve the American way of life: A
guide the Profession of Arms. those heroes to lay their lives in defense of their orders. democratic nation that offers the Ameri-
Those elements are vital to how the mili- a higher value. They followed their orders. No matter how we describe the Profes- can dream to those who dare to dream. Its
tary recruits, trains, develops and employs In February 1945, U.S. forces battled to sion of Arms, we saw its essence in the promise rests on the shoulders of the U.S.
forces. It comes down to having capable capture a height at Iwo Jima. They termed Allied forces landing at Normandy, in the military. It is a powerful force for good and
military forces to do the mission. Whatever the area “Meatgrinder Hill,” a name that bravery of the Marines at Iwo Jima in rais- freedom around the world.

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