Brigadier General Robin Olds Jr. was an officer in the Army Air Corps and later an Air Force pilot from 1943 to 1973. From an early age, Olds was surrounded by great fighter pilots who mentored his leadership abilities. He character was also influenced by his father; Robin Olds Sr. Olds’ character was tested time after time as a cadet at West Point and as an Air Force Officer at the squad and wing levels. Robin Olds was a leader of character because of early influences and training, experience as a fighter pilot in World War Two, and his leadership skills as a wing commander in Vietnam.
When Robin Olds Jr. was a child, his father helped guide the development of his son’s character. His father, Captain (later Major General) Robert Olds Sr., was a fighter pilot in World War I who worked with and introduced young Robin Olds to many of the Air Force’s greatest officers including Hap Arnold and Tooey Spaatz. These visits from his father’s friends helped solidify Olds’ vision to be a fighter pilot, as shown when he says that “the brotherhood of pilots impressed [him] as much as the thrill of flying itself” (Olds and Rasimus 6). While Olds’ father was an important influence, his time at West Point was just as influential and tested Olds character as well. One day, Olds and a friend went to New York City during a free weekend. Olds had a “scotch and a soda” and when returning for check-in were confronted by “a guy who seemed to harbor a personal vendetta” (Olds and Rasimus 16). When finally asked if he drank anything, Olds truthfully answered yes and was demoted from cadet captain to private. Olds could have easily said no, but instead he chose to uphold the honor code and answered with the truth. After graduating West Point, Olds con...
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...ilots and maintenance crews. Olds used his influence and these principles of character to help the officers, airmen, and civilians under him. When he needed to get his clearance processed, Olds’ made sure all of the soldiers, rather than just himself, were taken care of. Olds did the same on the Braniff 707, making sure everybody on board was treated equally. Olds never wanted special treatment and often went out of his way to ensure his subordinates were properly cared for. Olds actions throughout his life prove that he was a true leader of character.
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Billy Bishop’s path to greatness was not an easy one. He encountered many challenges throughout his young life that recognized him as a fiercer fighter pilot and a true hero. Billy Bishop faced an incredibly tough task to achieving his dream of becoming Canada’s greatest ace. Bishop had a tough life at Owen Sound Collegiate. He would be the subject to many jokes and preferred the company of girls. However his anger and fists won him acceptance on the school ground. He was a good natured boy born on February 8th, 1984. In 1911, at the age of 17, his parents sent him Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario due to his mediocre marks in school which his father knew would not allow him to get accepted to the University of Toronto. He was not an academic student and in his third year of high school was found cheating on a class exam which would later be the subject to many controversie...
Schultz, S. (1999) American History 102: Civil War to the Present. Retrieved April 10, 2005 from http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/lectures/lecture25.html.
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
Luke Jr. was persistently under the skepticism for his radical behavior on the battlefield making his performance notorious. Being in the U.S. Signal Corps at the time of its inception, many dreaded the thought of being trapped in an aircraft, but Lt. Luke Jr. not only rode into these battles willingly, but he openly welcomed them. During a battle around Dun-Sur-Meuse as reported by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, “though pursued by eight aircraft and facing heavy ground fire, he destroyed three balloons and killed six enemy soldiers in strafing attacks”. The courage he exhibited during the heat of combat, allowed him to accomplish more than what was expected of him. On September 29, his plane took on high amounts of shrapnel forcing him to land his plane in German territory where he was asked surrender by advancing German troops; instead he drew his pistol and began firing killing seven before taking direct fire instantly killing him. To Lt. Luke Jr., the honor that he’d receive for his actions did not matter, as stated by Arizona Public Broadcasting Service, “simple cross does not boast of his accomplishments. Those speak for themselves.” His determination to serve his nation forced him to take uncommon routes, untraveled by most just for the opportunity to inspire others to contribute the absolute most to the war
While in the U.S Army I have encountered many leaders. When I reminisce on the past and try to remember all of the different leaders I have encountered, I realize they have all influenced my life in different ways. Although some of the leaders I have had made bad impressions, most have influenced my life positively. Throughout the years I have been in the U.S Army, one particular leader has helped me develop into the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) I am today. I am Staff Sergeant Eric Duty and I would not be the professional I am today without SGT Buchan’s leadership.
During 1SG Hoh's tenure in A Co and B Co, 1-223rd Aviation Regiment, he distinguishably in numerous roles to include Standardization Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, Non-rated Crewmember Flight instructor / Standardization Instructor (NRCM FI/SI) course Manager, and First Sergeant. His keen management skill allowed the company to fly over 30.000 flight hours and train over 600 undergraduate and graduate level aviators. His leadership and contributions will have a lasting effect on the company and Army Aviation for years to come.
Captain Turner is also a very humble Captain. After receiving a Silver Salver, he stated “I did not expect to receive any such recognition of my part in the matter, we all on board simply tried to do our duty as under any ordinary circumstances.”(Larson 10).
Harney, Major W.W. "Military." The Causes Of The War Of 1812. N.p., 27 Apr. 2005. Web. 18 Apr.
My Legacy Leader is LTC Brian A. Coppersmith, USA, Ret. LTC Coppersmith exemplified Army leadership from his character, presence, and intellect to his ability to lead, develop and achieve. LTC Coppersmith’s leadership ability directly affected me as a Human Intelligence Collection Sergeant operating under his command in garrison pre-deployment, and while deployed forward to Iraq. The example that LTC Coppersmith set for me is the foundation that I have used to guide each of my actions on as a leader. It is my hope that I will be able to positively influence and inspire at least one Soldier in the same manner that LTC Coppersmith inspired and influenced me.
1. Personal integrity is vital to mission success within the United States Air Force. This reflection paper will cover how I compromised my personal integrity, how I comprised my Wingman’s integrity, and how I intend to ensure I embody all of the Air Force Core Values to their fullest in every activity I complete.
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Additionally, Jimmy Doolittle encountered critical instrumentation problems that could have hindered his progress; instead, he used his conceptual team dimensions pattern to develop alternatives and stay focused on the master plan. As an ethical leader, this paper will discuss how Jimmy Doolittle’s promotion from lieutenant colonel to brigadier general overnight, found himself in command of an entire Numbered Air Force (NAF). Placed in unfamiliar territory, he displayed intellectual humility by relying heavily on the advice of his staff to educate him in his new command. Furthermore, as the 8th Air Force commander in Europe, he faced a severe shortage in experienced air crews as the operations tempo increased during the build up to D-Day.
Henretta, Brody, James David. America. Fourth ed. A Concise History. 1, to 1877. William J. Lombardo. Boston, Ma: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. (accessed 20 May 2014)
3) Schweikart, Larry & Allen, Michael. “A Patriot’s History of the United States.” New York, NY: Penguin Group Inc., 2004.