One of the results of my retirement is that I end up interfacing with mostly civilians. Not really a surprise, but enlightening none the less. For nearly 35 years I shared a paradigm with those with whom I spent most of my time. Even Peg understood the culture of the Air Force Reserve and knew the lingo. Now I find myself explaining my perspective and educating more than I ever had to before. For example.

Several months ago, during a discussion on leadership and management, someone said to me, “You don’t understand how people work. You’re used to just barking orders and people jumping up and doing it.” It was hard not to burst out laughing. But after a little thought I realized that there is a great ignorance in our society not only in regards to the military and how it works but on what it means to actually lead something. We have bred a country of egocentric or narcissistic, the two aren’t the same, “individuals” who have never, nor ever want to be, in a position of true leadership. On the other hand they take great umbrage to the concept of ever be led by anyone else. I know you’ve all seen it because you all have been part of an organization with “That Guy”. I’ll explain.

He’s the guy who, usually from the back row, makes the funny/snide remarks during the Saturday morning pre-UTA meeting. Folks in his little sphere of influence chortle at his clever comments regarding the subjects or appearance of whomever is presenting at the time. He never volunteers unless it’s made very clear what’s in it for him. He always does the minimum expecting the maximum in return and refuses to ever be in charge of anything. I’ll bet a name has already popped into your head!

I was in a squadron once where “That Guy” actually became the squadron commander. At some point he decided he was worthy of eagles on his shoulders and realized that to make that happen he would have to become a squadron commander. The rank structure in the squadron made him one of the only viable candidates for the job so there he found himself moving from the back row to the front row. Serendipitously there was a new “That Guy” waiting in the wings and when the old “That Guy” heard the first snide remark from the back, when he was up front, he came unglued. The irony was not lost on the crowd. Now, take that guy and clone millions of him. I think you see the problem. Let’s get back to the barking orders comment.

The concept that leadership in the military, especially in the Reserves, is somehow like WW II movies with George Patton barking orders and slapping soldiers is, frankly, ridiculous. I’m not sure, outside of the cockpit, I can come up with even a handful of times I actually had to look someone in the eye and give them a direct order. The Reserves is, after all, a volunteer organization and anyone can pretty much leave whenever they desire. It might sound trite but it’s true. Leadership happens through team building, consensus, coaching, shared goals, and mutual respect. Only in the, literal, heat of battle is it sometimes necessary to shout the order and expect it to happen immediately and that might not happen unless the things in the last sentence have been practiced. On the flip side, there’s a time to follow as well.

Even though I was a Group Commander and Colonel I always made it clear that when I was flying as the copilot on a mission, I really was the copilot. For those that don’t fly it’s a little hard to understand. When you’re on a crew, flying a mission, rank doesn’t matter. The aircraft commander could be a 1st Lt and the navigator a General but in the airplane the 1st Lt is in charge and gives he orders. No questions asked. It might seem odd to everyone else, but it’s essential to the safe accomplishment of the mission. Now, I know commanders who insist on always being the aircraft commander and I say, “shame on you”. Yielding authority and responsibility is a great teaching tool and humility is an even better character trait.

The easiest, and laziest, thing in the world to do is to sit back and criticize those who have stepped up to a challenge and are trying to make a positive impact in their community. We need to either step up ourselves, support those that do or sit down in the back row and shut up.

 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:15-16