Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, October 1, 2021

2 October 1, 2021 Commentary Desert lightning news s. nevaDa Desert lightning news s. nevaDa news October 1, 2021 3
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The universal skillset of leadership pow/mia, from Page 1 _________

Currently, there are 83,114 service
members still missing from conflicts
throughout U.S. history, including from
by Chief Master Sgt. Douglass Kuhn of leadership or the difference between “the activity of influencing people by observation and awareness. It is under- World War ll, the Korean War, the Viet-
Dover AFB, Del. managing and leading. If you do a quick providing purpose, direction and mo- standing the why behind each action, nam War and the Cold War.
search of the Enlisted Force Structure, tivation to accomplish the mission and then ensuring every Airmen understands “We will never stop working to bring
A year ago, our Air Force Chief of Staff you will see leadership is used 56 times, improve the organization.” You may have their part of the mission and the signifi- home those who paid the ultimate sacri-
Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., tasked the air staff leader is used 20 times and lead is used to read it a few times to recognize the cance of their specialty. It is instilling the fice for our country,” said Dyer. “May we
with four key areas to focus their efforts. 12 times, but none of those 88 instances difference, but words matter. The action higher purpose into the mundane tasks never forget to honor those who cannot
These were released to the Air Force a provide a definition of leadership. For in the Air Force definition simply says a so service before self is internally devel- be here with us today.”
couple months later as “General Brown’s even a vague definition, an Airman has leader will motivate, influence and direct oped, not externally driven.
Action Orders.” Under Action Order to go to Air Force Doctrine Publication 1. Airmen but doesn’t say how. Whereas the Providing direction takes awareness,
A: Airmen, Brown stated the Air Force In AFDP-1, leadership is defined Army definition says a leader will influ- focus and immense communication. It
needs to, “find and enhance universal as, “the art and science of motivating, ence people, but then puts the respon- is creating a clear and vivid image of
skillsets that are important to all Airmen influencing and directing Airmen to sibility of leading back on the leader by the end goal for each component of the
regardless of Air Force Specialty Code,” understand and accomplish [Joint Force saying how the leader will gain influence. organization, then setting the expecta-
so we can compete, deter and win in the Commander] objectives.” This definition It states leaders must provide purpose, tions and standards required to work
high-end fight. blends leadership and management, so direction and motivation to people. If we towards achieving the overall vision. It
As I reflect on universal skillsets, the an Airman will need to dig deeper to want to enhance the universal skillset of is encouraging Airmen to stretch their
one that continually comes up in conver- understand real leadership as a universal leadership, putting the responsibility of current abilities, and possibly fail, so they
sations, discussions, mentoring sessions skillset. leading on the leader is a good first step. can gain experience and further develop
and professional development courses is The Army has a solid definition of The question to ask ourselves is, “Do their capabilities.
leadership. Many of the younger Airmen leadership which is very similar in words each of us as Air Force leaders provide Providing motivation takes tenacity,
complain about poor or toxic leadership, but uniquely different in meaning than purpose, direction and motivation to open-mindedness and compassion. It is
and many of the more seasoned Airmen the Air Force’s definition. Army Doc- our Airmen?”
struggle to define the actual meaning trine Policy 6-22 defines leadership as, Providing purpose takes knowledge, ____ See lEadErShip, on Page 3

Proud to be an american

by Chaplain (Capt.) Levi Welton fame and adulation they receive. But the special ops,” my wingmen would say with superheroes serving in the military and
Dover AFB, Del. more I think about it, the more I feel it’s a grin. “Spiritual special ops.” think of all that we can be. The Air Force
because superheroes never seemed teth- But it got me thinking: Where else in gifted me with a lot. Waking up earlier Air Force photographs by Senior
Airman Bailee A. Darbasie
I joined the Air Force for the uniform ered to the gravity of a hum-drum life of this God blessed country are folks from in the morning than I thought possible, Former Prisoners of War
but stayed for the mission. inequality and monotony. As soon as life different backgrounds forced to become free passes to museums and discounts are honored during a
Yes, I’ll admit that I answered my na- got boring or unfair, they’d fly off to save family? Only 1 percent of my country- on car insurance, combining heart and National Prisoner of War
tion’s call not because I fancied myself the day. Something I wish I could’ve men serve and yet my flight had women mind into strategy, a religious focus on and Missing in Action (POW/
a warrior but because I thought it’d be done thousands of times throughout and men of all colors, sexual orienta- the details of victory and — above all else MIA) recognition ceremony
cool. my life. And something the Air Force tions, spiritual beliefs and cultures. We — the importance of teamwork. at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.,
One Zeydie (Yiddish for grandfa- motto — “Fly, Fight and Win” — tells were indeed of different states of mind As a chaplain, my job is to advocate Sept. 17, 2021. There are
ther) taught physics in the Air Force in me I still can do. yet united by the shared camouflage we for the liberties of people of all faiths or 83,114 service members
World War II, the other served in the I remember being in Officer Training wore upon our hearts. And, suddenly, I none. still missing from conflicts
Navy. My Uncle Chuck served in the School with two roommates I, as a rabbi, got it. I was surrounded by superheroes. As one of my mentors and fellow throughout U.S. history,
Air National Guard and then as a peace probably never would have had if not for It didn’t matter why they served. chaplains, Lt. Col. Brannon Bowman including from World War ll,
officer in Point Lobos National Park and the Air Force. Whether for a career, to be a noble once told me, “We don’t aim for a culture the Korean War, the Vietnam
my granduncle Lt. Barney Welton was One was a future surgeon from the guardian of freedom and justice, or just of tolerance. We must foster a culture of War and the Cold War.
a C-47 pilot against the Nazis. Further Church of Latter Day Saints and the other because the uniform made them feel mutual respect.” Col. Todd Dyer, 99th Air
back, I have ancestors who served under a tall Catholic man with a decorated mili- cool, they were all still serving the great- While I may have joined because I Base Wing commander,
President Lincoln and also during the tary history. We bonded, swapped jokes est democracy on the planet. And, for thought it’d be cool, my fellow Airmen delivers a speech honoring LEFT: Former Prisoner of War
American Revolution. So putting on my with each other after curfew and shared that, they deserved respect and thanks. inspired me to stay for the mission. For I service members during a Eugene Ramos sits in front
dress uniform made me feel cool and snack bars, photos of our loved ones and For isn’t service before self the ultimate want to be part of a mission connecting National Prisoner of War of the ceremonial wreath
connected to my family. It also made me one rickety toilet which we had to keep definition of a superhero? with all kinds of people, standing united and Missing in Action during a National Prisoner
feel like a superhero. silky smooth and pristinely clean or risk Suffice it to say, when I see the Red, with those so different and yet so much (POW/MIA) recognition of War and Missing in Action
I don’t know why I’ve always loved being booted from boot camp. “How’d White and Blue unfurling in the wind, the same, and pledging rhetoric to never ceremony at Nellis Air (POW/MIA) recognition
superheroes. Maybe it’s the colorful you get your beard waiver?” people would I feel my heart swell with pride. I think leave an Airman behind, to never falter Force Base, Nev., Sept. 17, ceremony at Nellis Air
uniforms or the superpowers. Maybe it’s accost me as I marched around our base not of my country’s history of slavery and to not fail. In other words, to be a 2021. Dyer emphasized Force Base, Nev., Sept. 17,
how good looking they always are, or the with a face full of hair. “Oh, he’s part of or past failures. I look to the current superhero. t h e im p o r t an c e o f 2021. Ramos is a Korean War
remembering the sacrifices veteran who was captured
of our POWs and MIAs. by Chinese forces in 1950.
Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition is Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and For all submissions, a name and phone number
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Desert Lightning News Staff are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national and conformity to the AP Style Guide, to include is setting the example and navigating Air Force JoAnne S. Bass says, “Our Air- purpose, direction and motivation. If
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