Episodes

  • Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre ’96 - How You Fail - How You Succeed - How You Lead

    Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre ’96 - How You Fail - How You Succeed - How You Lead
    Jun 11 2024
    Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre '96 opens up about how her leadership journey was transformed by a mis-step she once made that led her to introspection and clarity. ----more---- SUMMARY Gen. Letendre and Doug Lindsay shared their insights on leadership development at the Air Force Academy. They emphasized the importance of resilience, failure, and mentorship in shaping effective leaders. The General highlighted the value of taking advantage of little opportunities and pushing boundaries, while Dr. Lindsay stressed the need for courage and finding one's voice in leadership. Both emphasized the importance of learning from failures and using them as opportunities for growth. QUOTES "Little opportunities can become big opportunities, and you don't necessarily know what that big opportunity is going to be. And you don't necessarily recognize that the little opportunity that you have before you is one of those that's going to somehow blossom in the future." "You practice having that voice early in your career, you practice what it means to be candid, you practice what it means to speak up for the right thing. It doesn't actually get easier, just because you've got rank, it gets easier through practice." "You've got to find your voice. And oftentimes, when I talk to cadets, they're like, "Oh, well, easy for you to say, ma'am. You know, you've got a star on, of course, you've got a voice." But I think that unless you practice having that voice, early in your career, you practice what it means to be candid, you practice what it means to speak up for the right thing." "We want our grads to be better than we ever were. And I can say unabashedly that They are our second lieutenants who are graduating from this institution are better able on day one to take on the challenges that our nation has thrown at them." "I believe my role in our role as senior leaders at the Air Force Academy is to not necessarily predict the future with any certainty. I think I might know who our next adversary is going to be in in conflict. I do know, though, that it's going to be the mental agility in the capabilities and skill sets that we are providing both to our cadets, our first graduating class, but also something we talked about our second graduating class, which is those those faculty that are going to go back out into the Air Force and Space Force. It is that challenge of how do we help them be ready for whatever's coming their way? How do we future proof them?" SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | EMAIL CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Background 08:16 Life at the Air Force Academy 15:22 Career Progression and Lessons Learned 26:17 Graduate Involvement and Giving Back 32:25 Leadership Lessons 36:58 Connecting with the Air Force Academy TAKEAWAYS Little opportunities can become big opportunities, so take advantage of opportunities and do your best. Develop your leadership skills by finding your voice and practicing speaking up, even on small matters. This will help you gain confidence. Focus on developing leaders of character by setting a good example and lifting others up. The Air Force Academy is focused on preparing cadets for the future through experiential learning, research, and partnerships with industry. Staying connected to your alma mater through events and social media is a good way to learn about new programs and opportunities to get involved. BRIG. GEN. LETENDRE'S BIO Brigadier General Linell A. Letendre is Dean of the Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. She commands the 750-member Dean of Faculty mission element and oversees the annual design and instruction of more than 500 undergraduate courses for 4,000 cadets across 32 academic disciplines. She also directs the operation of five support staff agencies and faculty resources involving more than $350 million. General Letendre graduated from the Academy in 1996 as a Distinguished Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering. After serving as an acquisition officer, General Letendre became a judge advocate through the Funded Legal Education Program. She graduated from the University of Washington Law School with high honors and was named to the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Barristers. She is barred at the U.S. Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Washington, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Prior to this assignment, she served as the Permanent Professor and Head of the Air Force Academy’s Department of Law. General Letendre previously served as a Staff Judge Advocate at Scott Air Force Base and also represented the Air Force in appellate review of all courts-martial as the Deputy Chief Trial and Appellate Counsel. Additionally, she previously served as the Legal Advisor for the DoD Comprehensive Review Working Group where she advised on legal and policy issues surrounding repeal of...
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    41 mins
  • Maj. Austin McKinney '10 - Leading Beyond Borders

    Maj. Austin McKinney '10 - Leading Beyond Borders
    May 28 2024
    USAFA Class of 2010 valedictorian, Maj. Austin McKinney, discusses how the trust he earned and integrity he learned as a cadet led him to the U.S. Department of State where he helps build relationships between U.S. and global leaders.----more---- SUMMARY Maj. Austin McKinney '10 shares his journey from the Air Force Academy to becoming a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department. He emphasizes the importance of public service, teamwork, and never accepting the first no. McKinney highlights the value of the Academy's wide core curriculum and the opportunities it provides for personal and professional growth. He also discusses the significance of integrity and reputation in leadership and the need to adapt to the changing perspectives and interests of the younger generation. McKinney encourages others to consider the reserves as a way to stay connected to the military and emphasizes the importance of convincing young people of the value of joining the military and the Academy. The conversation explores the importance of storytelling in leadership and the value of being ready to say yes. It emphasizes the need to listen actively and understand the core similarities that unite people across different cultures. The conversation also highlights the challenge of transitioning from a tactical leader to a strategic leader and the importance of building relationships and networks. The key takeaways include the significance of delegation, the need for personal board of advisors, and the importance of being part of a supportive community. OUR FAVORITE QUOTES "Part of leadership is process. But part of leadership is relationships." "Leadership by walking around is talking to people and developing those relationships, not sitting in your office and just working on the next memo, or the next email." "Never never accept the first no." "Always be ready to say yes." "We're (USAFA grads) part of a special community and always be contributing two is what I would encourage us all to think about it." SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | TWITTER | EMAIL CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Background 10:13 The Value of the Academy's Wide Core Curriculum 25:30 Staying Connected: The Reserves and Continued Service 33:42 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership 54:57 Transitioning from Tactical to Strategic Leadership TAKEAWAYS - Public service and teamwork are important values instilled at the Air Force Academy. - Never accept the first no and rely on others for support and success. - The Academy's wide core curriculum provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. - Integrity and reputation are crucial in leadership. - Staying connected to the military through the reserves can provide continued opportunities for service. - It is important to convince young people of the value of joining the military and the Academy. Leadership is about storytelling and sharing experiences. - Being ready to say yes opens up opportunities and builds trust. - Active listening and understanding core similarities are crucial in cross-cultural interactions. - Transitioning from a tactical leader to a strategic leader requires letting go and delegating effectively. - Building relationships and networks is essential for success as a leader. - Having a personal board of advisors and being part of a supportive community contribute to personal and professional growth. MAJ. MCKINNEY'S BIO Maj. Austin McKinney, an Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), is Joint Strategic Engagement Officer, Joint Reserve Directorate, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He is responsible for providing guidance and support to a range of innovation programs and rapid fielding initiatives, focusing on the identification, evaluation, and deployment of emerging technologies. Maj. McKinney received his commission in 2010 through the U.S. Air Force Academy. Most recently, he served with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), where he delivered commercial market insight and program management support to a range of innovation programs in DIU’s autonomy and artificial intelligence / machine learning portfolios. Maj. McKinney has also served in multiple acquisitions program management roles within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), contributing to the discovery, development, and delivery of next-generation weapons systems related to ballistic missile defense and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) technologies. He is also certified as a Foreign Area Officer (FAO) for the Latin American region. He has deployed experience Qatar, Colombia, and Honduras. As a civilian, he is a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) with the U.S. Department of State. In this role, he serves as an economic diplomat to advance American foreign policy interests in trade, investment, and technology. Prior to joining the...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Lt. Gen. Richard Clark ’86 - Leading as Brothers in Arms

    Lt. Gen. Richard Clark ’86 - Leading as Brothers in Arms
    May 14 2024
    A conversation between brothers in arms who have known each other since the early 1980s - one an athlete, the other his coach at the time.----more---- SUMMARY Neither has ventured far from the Air Force or the Academy. Lt. Gen. Richard Clark ’86, the Academy’s 21st superintendent, opens up about his leadership journey to Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Gould ’76, the man who first coached him all those years ago. Gen. Clark’s leadership story is exceptional and Gen. Gould does a masterful job of helping him tell it. OUR FAVORITE QUOTES "The one thing that doesn't change is our mission. And our mission is to develop lieutenants, better leaders of character that are ready to go out and win our wars and that are ready to go out support defend the Constitution. That is it." "Whenever there's Americans on the ground, we're going to do whatever it takes to help them you will do whatever it takes." "Seeing those young guys go out there and do that, and do what they needed to do to help other Americans to help their fellow servicemen that made me prouder than anything." "I am very happy and comfortable to leave this torch with them to hand the torch off to them. And I'm just proud to have served with them." "I am leaving with a lot of gratitude in my heart, just from our cadets from our permanent party, from the alumni that helped us do this and the other supporters." SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | TWITTER | EMAIL CHAPTERS 00:00: Introduction and Mission of the Air Force Academy 01:09: Lieutenant General Rich Clark's Background and Career 08:27: Making the Best of Unexpected Assignments 10:18: Leadership in Challenging Situations 00:09: Introduction 07:28: Enhancing the Academy's Facilities and Programs 14:57: Developing Leaders of Character 31:11: The Importance of Alumni and Supporters 37:51: Transitioning to the Role of Executive Director of the College Football Playoff 45:08: Conclusion TAKEAWAYS - Leadership is developed through challenging experiences like overcoming adversity, mentoring others, and leading in high-pressure situations like combat. - Support from family, mentors, and sponsor families can help one persevere through difficult times and find purpose. - Having an open mind and making the most of unexpected opportunities can lead to unexpected benefits and career success. - Giving back to one's alma mater through things like financial support, mentorship, and service helps continue its mission and benefits future generations. - Expressing gratitude to those who support your mission helps foster positive relationships and a sense of shared purpose. LT. GEN. CLARK'S BIO Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark ’86 is the Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He directs a four-year regimen of military training, academics, athletic and character development programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force or United States Space Force. Lt. Gen. Clark graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1986. His commands include the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph AFB, Texas; Eighth Air Force, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and Joint Functional Component Commander for Global Strike, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. He has also served as a White House Fellow in Washington, D.C.; the Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado; Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, Cairo, Egypt, and as the Commander, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Prior to his current assignment, Lt. Gen. Clark served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. - Copy and image credit: af.mil ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates! FULL TRANSCRIPT OUR SPEAKERS Our guest is Lt. Gen. Richard Clark ’86 | Our host is Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Gould ’76 Lt. Gen. Richard Clark 00:12 The one thing that doesn't change is our mission. And our mission is to develop lieutenants, better leaders of character, that are ready to go out and win our wars and that are ready to go out and support and defend the Constitution. That’s it. Announcer 00:27 Welcome to the Long Blue Leadership podcast. These are powerful conversations with United States Air Force Academy graduates who have lived their lives with distinction. All leaders of character who candidly share their stories, including their best and worst moments, the challenges they've overcome the people and events that have shaped who they are, and who willingly lend their wisdom to advance your ...
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    58 mins
  • Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rochelle Kimbrell ’98 - Dare to Dream

    Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rochelle Kimbrell ’98 - Dare to Dream
    Apr 30 2024
    As a child, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rochelle Kimbrell ’98, dreamt that one day she would defy gravity, taking her rightful place in the sky among the stars.----more---- SUMMARY Rochelle Kimbrell shared her journey of growing up as a young black girl in a small town in Colorado who dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot. Despite being told she couldn't or shouldn't pursue this goal, she developed a strong work ethic and passion for flying from a young age. She meticulously planned her path, gaining leadership experience in Civil Air Patrol and excelling academically to earn an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Kimbrell overcame challenges like failing a class by changing majors and learning from mistakes. As one of the first female fighter pilots, Kimbrell faced obstacles like lack of proper gear and medical issues. She discussed the difficulties of balancing pregnancy/motherhood with her flying career due to changing policies. After 13 years of active duty service, Kimbrell transitioned to the reserves and pursued public speaking and entrepreneurship. This allowed her to find fulfillment in empowering and mentoring others, especially young minorities. OUR FAVORITE QUOTES "My parents always feel this to just just go out and chase our dreams and follow our dreams, and, you know, to forge our own paths and to be strong." "I think we plan our vacations really well. But I don't think we plan our lives really well." "You've got to have a plan for your life. Like yes, you can change course 100%. But you've got to have first vision, so that you can start working towards it and figure out what it's going to take." "You learn that there are many paths that can lead there. And so it was it was okay. And that everybody's gonna have a setback." "I want to impact people's lives. I want to empower people to be their best selves." - Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rochelle Kimbrell '89 SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | TWITTER | EMAIL CHAPTERS 00:00: Introduction and Background 06:34: Overcoming Doubts and Breaking Barriers 25:43: Challenges Faced by Female Fighter Pilots 32:50: The Importance of Mentorship 49:33: Dare to Dream and Pursue Your Goals SOME TAKEAWAYS - Believe in yourself and pursue your dreams, even when others doubt you. - Having a plan and being willing to pivot can lead to unexpected opportunities. - Overcoming challenges and setbacks is part of the journey to success. - Representation matters - being a role model can inspire others to pursue their own dreams. Female fighter pilots faced challenges in terms of camaraderie, gear, and facilities. - Balancing motherhood and a career as a fighter pilot was challenging. - Mentorship is important, and mentors don't have to look like you. - It's important to dare to dream and pursue your goals, despite obstacles and failures. - Planning your life and having a clear vision of where you want to go is crucial. COL. KIMBRELL'S BIO Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Rochelle Kimbrell is a charismatic trailblazer whose road to becoming the US military’s first Black female fighter pilot started when she was a little girl growing up in Parker, Colorado. She had a dream that was beyond the imagination of most. In a time before women were allowed to fly fighter aircraft and women being in combat was literally against the law, those boundaries were no deterrent for Rochelle. Powered by a dream, Rochelle crafted a plan to achieve this dream and the journey to success through failure took commitment. The story of her journey is legendary and can ignite a flame in any individual or team and challenge them to dare to dream again. Rochelle not only broke several glass ceilings in the F-16 community, her experiences transformed into operations on the ground and then on to the highly technological remotely piloted aircraft. Rochelle has over 2100 hours piloting military aircraft and over 975 combat and combat support hours. Rochelle retired from the Air Force in 2020 after almost 22 years of service. She is a full time public servant pouring her time and energy back into her community. She volunteers as an orientation pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, shares her story and teaches leadership and success principles to individuals and organizations across the country through her Dare To Dream (Dare-2-Dream.com) speaking platform and is also a full time mother to 2 amazing boys and wife to an awesome husband. - Copy credit: AthenasVoiceUSA.com CONNECT WITH ROCHELLE LINKEDIN | WEBSITE ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates! TRANSCRIPT OUR SPEAKERS Our guest, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rochelle Kimbrell '98 | Our host is Naviere Walkewicz '99 Naviere Walkewicz Col. Kimbrell, welcome to Long Blue ...
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    54 mins
  • Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck '12 - Moving Fast and Flying High

    Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck '12 - Moving Fast and Flying High
    Apr 16 2024
    A conversation with Maj. Julian “Cosmo” Gluck '12, a flyer with the heart of a pilot, the soul of a golden age aviator, and an insatiable yearning to learn. Why? In part to support developing leaders of tomorrow. ----more---- SUMMARY Major Julian "Cosmo" Gluck '12, shares his background and experiences in the Air Force and as a bomber pilot. He discusses his childhood, involvement in various activities, and his decision to join the military. Major Gluck also talks about his leadership roles at the Air Force Academy and the challenges he faced. He then delves into his experience flying B-52s and explains the difference between a pilot and an aviator. Finally, he clarifies the distinction between rated and non-rated officers. He discusses his involvement with the Order of Daedalians, a professional fellowship organization for military aviators. He also shares his experience transitioning to Harvard Business School and the Air Force Reserve and about the importance of leadership across different lanes. Julian reflects on what he has learned about himself and his future plans. He emphasizes the significance of giving back and volunteering, as well as the impact of the Air Force Academy and alumni involvement. OUR FAVORITE QUOTES "I would say the juxtaposition between the military lifestyle—which often is more regimented—and a desire to both give back and be creative. So these secondary and tertiary desires that I really wanted to have in my personal life and professional life to continue to self-actualize and feel comfortable were always at sort of a crossroads, but the Academy made that possible." "I think there is a lot of strength in knowing that you do not know something. And through my time in business school, there is a lot that I think many of those who are coming from civilian careers—that more directly relate to business—would think is just information that everyone is armed with that is absent for many of us who were not as directly involved in running for-profit organizations or who weren't involved in sales, investment banking, or any of these other careers." "I would say, I'm going to do a plug for the AOG: If there are things that you want your AOG to do, you are the person who can help facilitate that as well, just like I aim to, like many others. An alumni organization, a nonprofit, a charity is only as strong as its membership corps." "I think overall down the road, as long as I'm making a positive impact in my circle and in my community, that's the most important thing to me. Like, I don't want to give up the uniform. I've loved serving in the Air Force, and I'll stay in the Air Force Reserve—hopefully as long as they'll keep me—and it would be great to have more opportunities to lead again." "I would leave you with, if you have some time available, if there's money that you're seeking to donate, there is a cause that will resonate with you. Just go to the search engine of your choice, maybe it's Ask Jeeves … [or] go to Lycos—I think that was a search engine—in your Netscape Navigator. Go look up on AOL these interests, and you'll be able to find a charity that works for you.” - Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck '12 SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | TWITTER | EMAIL CHAPTERS 00:00: Introduction and Background 04:01: Childhood and Life Before the Academy 08:01: Leadership Roles at the Academy 14:53: Flying B-52s 19:50: Difference Between Rated and Non-Rated 21:30: The Order of Daedalians 26:14: Transitioning to Harvard Business School 30:06: Leadership Across Different Lanes 33:08: Learning About Oneself 37:15: Future Plans 40:10: Giving Back and Volunteering 42:37: The Air Force Academy and Alumni Involvement TAKEAWAYS FOR YOU - The Order of Daedalians is the professional fraternal order of military aviators and commemorates the service and valor of World War I pilots while providing fellowship for current and former flyers today. - Programs like the Civil Air Patrol—the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force—provide another avenue for service members, veterans, and civilians to give back in meaningful ways. - Transitioning from the military to civilian life can provide opportunities for strategic development and new ways to support organizations. - Leadership takes different forms in various contexts, from leading in the military to leading in the classroom. - Humility and the willingness to learn from others are important qualities for personal growth and effective leadership. - Giving back and volunteering in various organizations can provide a sense of fulfillment and make a positive impact in the community. - The Air Force Academy and alumni involvement play a significant role in shaping individuals and fostering a sense of pride and service. MAJ. GLUCK'S BIO Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck is a reservist in the Defense Innovation Unit in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He additionally serves as ...
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    42 mins
  • Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born '83 - Leadership is Personal

    Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born '83 - Leadership is Personal
    Apr 2 2024
    To influence for good, character paired with strong leadership skills is paramount. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born '83 brings the two together in Ep. 8 of Long Blue Leadership. ----more---- SUMMARY Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born discusses the importance of character and leadership in the Air Force Academy's mission. She shares her background and career, including her time as the Dean of Faculty at the Academy. The General reflects on her class reunion experience and the impact of her family's military background. She explores the concept of leaders being born vs. made and highlights the value of curiosity and courage in leadership. Gen. Born emphasizes the importance of seeking help and mentorship and shares recommended readings for developing leadership skills. OUR FAVORITE QUOTES "Character and leadership are paramount for Air Force Academy graduates to influence for good." "I think that if I were to say there's two really important takeaways, those for me have been, be curious, be more curious. And that is just really asking a lot of questions." "I think leading with your heart and leading with, like the recognition that things that are hard, make your heart rate go up. Courage, you know, our heart rate goes up when we're in danger physically, morally, psychologically. And I think leaning into that to where our heart rate goes up a little bit is how we learn and grow." "I think there's that keeping the both and in the integration of that is what helped me in some of those tough decisions. I mean, I remember having to take a security clearance away from a lieutenant colonel, for all the right reasons, but trying, you know, that person then was going to lose their position in the Air Force, because it required a security clearance. And, and it wasn't a situation that I put that person in, right, they put themselves in that position, but what I didn't want to do was deliver the news in a way that then the individual would feel like they have nothing left right to or would ultimately, you know, take their life, right, that always was present to say, uh, don't want this person to go away with anything other than, you know, your life is not over." "I think courage, you know, the root word of courage is heart. And I think leading with your heart and leading with, like the recognition that things that are hard, make your heart rate go up. Courage, you know, our heart rate goes up when we're in danger physically, morally, psychologically. And I think leaning into that to where our heart rate goes up a little bit is how we learn and grow." - Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Born '83 SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | TWITTER | EMAIL CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction: Character and Leadership 01:22 General Bourne's Background and Career 05:36 Early Life and Decision to Attend the Air Force Academy 08:19 Becoming the Dean of Faculty at the Air Force Academy 11:49 Challenges and Lessons as Dean 22:59 Discovering Leadership Abilities 24:24 Lessons from Friction Moments 26:19 Pivoting and Overcoming Challenges 27:49 Best Attributes of Leaders 29:46 Seeking Help and Mentorship 32:06 Balancing Compassion and Difficult Decisions 34:26 Family's Influence on Leadership 38:12 Developing Leadership Skills: Curiosity and Courage 40:04 Purpose and Passion 41:53 Recommended Readings 44:42 Conclusion GEN. BORN'S BIO Dana H. Born (Co-Director, Center for Public Leadership (CPL); Faculty Chair, Senior Executive Fellows (SEF) Program; Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government) is a retired Brigadier General with 30 years of service in the United States Air Force. Prior to coming to Harvard, from 2004-2013, she served two terms as the Dean of the Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy where she was also the Professor and Head of the Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Department. Previously, Dana served as an Exchange Officer with the Royal Australian Air Force, Assistant Director for Recruiting Research and Analysis for the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management Policy), Deputy Chief of the Personnel Issues Team for the Department of the Air Force (DC/Staff Personnel), Aide and Speech Writer to the Secretary of the Air Force, Squadron Commander for 11th Mission Support Squadron at Bolling AFB, DC and in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A graduate with distinction of the United States Air Force Academy, Professor Born received her B.S. in Behavioral Sciences (1983), M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Trinity University, TX (1985), M.A. in Research Psychology from University of Melbourne (1991) and Doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Penn State University (1994). She received Penn State University’s Alumni Fellow Award (2012) and Distinguished Alumni Award (2018) and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Simmons College in Humane Administration (2007). Born is the recipient of the Secretary ...
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    46 mins
  • NCLS 2024 Special Coverage

    NCLS 2024 Special Coverage
    Mar 25 2024

    The Long Blue Leadership team was in attendance at the 2024 National Character and Leadership Symposium and interviewed several NCLS speakers. ----more----

    We set up our studio on site and invited several of the speakers to join us to discuss the what and why behind their messages. Two of the lead cadet organizers of the NCLS event and the 2024 cadet class president visited with us to share why they are so heavily involved and what they took away from the event. And we invited the cadet hosts of the Polaris Hall Podcast to share our studio space for their interviews with NCLS speakers, one of which, they shared with us.

    In this special edition of Long Blue Leadership, producer, Ted Robertson's, conversations with comedian Jose Sarduy, class of ’99; NCLS organizers cadet 1st class Rachel Parillo and cadet 2nd class Weiss Yuan; and 2024 class president, cadet 1st class, Adedapo Adeboyejo. Also joining us, astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren, class of ’95; author and entrepreneur Delovell Earls, class of 2015. Finally, making guest appearances for their interview with NCLS speaker, Olympic gold medal swimmer, Missy Franklin Johnson, Polaris Hall Podcast hosts, cadet 1st class Maya Mandyam and cadet 2nd class Margaret Meehan, hosts of the Polaris Hall Podcast.

    SEE THE NCLS SPEAKER VIDEOS HERE

    NCLS 2024 IN REVIEW

    NCLS 2024 PHOTO GALLERY

    DOWNLOAD THE NCLS 2024 PROGRAM

    SPECIAL THANKS

    Our very special thanks to C1C Maya Mandyam and C2C Margaret Meehan, hosts of the Polaris Hall Podcast, for their contribution of excerpts from their excellent interview with Olympic Gold Medalist, Missy Franklin-Johnson.

    GET THE POLARIS HALL PODCAST HERE

    ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP

    Long Blue Leadership is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network, drops every two weeks on Tuesdays, and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!

    PHOTO GALLERY NCLS 2024

    Top to Bottom: Jose Sarduy | C1C Rachel Parillo, C1C Adedapo Adeboyejo and C2C Weiss Yuan Dr. Kjell Lindgren | DeLovell Earls Missy Franklin-Johnson, C1C Maya Mandyam and C2C Margaret Meehan

    The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
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    49 mins
  • Karl Falk '98 - Boldly Leading and Succeeding

    Karl Falk '98 - Boldly Leading and Succeeding
    Mar 19 2024
    Does being bold make a good leader or does a good leader have to be bold? Karl Falk '98, is leader who knows bold both ways. ----more---- SUMMARY But there is much more to leadership than boldness. Join Karl and Long Blue Leadership host, Naviere Walkewicz '99, for a conversation about boldness, the nuanced human spirit and the path to success as a leader. In this episode, Karl Falk, founder and CEO of Botdoc, shares his journey from the Air Force Academy to entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges of leading peers and the lessons he learned from playing football. Karl also talks about his transition out of the Air Force and the founding of Botdoc, a tech startup that provides secure data transfer solutions. He emphasizes the importance of taking one step at a time and finding solutions to challenges. Karl encourages listeners to believe that there is always a way to overcome obstacles. OUR PICKS FOR QUOTES "Probably the hardest thing to do is is is lead your peers, not yell at your peers like some people think that's leadership that's needed sometimes but actually leading your peers and you know, trying to peer into their soul and get them to do something greater and, and that was a lot of fun." "I learned that I didn't want that to happen again. In fact, I, the the army game this year, when Air Force came over to sing, we were on that we were on that side of the stadium, and I took a picture of it. And I sent it to my son I said, remember this? Because when that season, that's what that's what motivated me. That next season was I didn't want that to happen again." "I think I learned more about leadership and who I was. And honestly, probably the hardest thing to do, especially when you're that age is, is lead your peers, not yell at your peers, like some people think that's leadership in the locker room, but that's needed sometimes, but actually leading your peers and you know, trying to peer into their soul and get them to, to do something greater and, and that was a lot of fun." - Karl Falk, Founder '98 and CEO, Botdoc SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | TWITTER | EMAIL CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Leading Peers 02:28Early Life and Upbringing 05:15Childhood and Sports 06:13 Path to the Air Force Academy 07:08 Leadership Lessons from Football 09:29 Transitioning out of the Air Force 13:47 Entrepreneurship and BotDoc 25:12 The Invention of BotDoc 28:06 Lessons in Entrepreneurship 32:55 Closing Remarks OUR FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS - Leading peers requires understanding and inspiring them to do something greater. - Challenges and tough times can shape and prepare individuals for future success. - Entrepreneurship involves taking risks, making decisions on the fly, and finding solutions to problems. - Believe that there is always a way to overcome obstacles and achieve success. KARL'S BIO Karl Falk is the Founder and CEO of tech start-up Botdoc. A vision that the movement of data should be easier and more secure. He is helping disrupt the ‘Secure Digital Transport’ industry and pioneering how all data will be transported in the future. The Botdoc software allows companies to transport data and documents in and out of systems with end-to-end encryption without anyone needing a login, pin, password or app to download. And upon delivery the encrypted container and the contents inside of it evaporate, leaving no residual footprint of data. Botdoc is redefining how companies engage data and is the future of the global consumer experience. Karl transitioned out of the Air Force in 2004 into emerging technology consulting. Finding innovative ways to expedite low TRL technology from the DoD labs and National labs to the hands of operators and soldiers in an effort to save lives post 9/11. Using his extensive industry experience in ‘going against the grain’, Karl is a sought-after speaker on innovation, entrepreneurship and efficiency and speaks nationally to help inspire others to spark change. In 2012, he was named one of the “Top 5 Most Influential Young Professionals” by ColoradoBiz Magazine and was named a “Rising Star” by the Colorado Springs Business Journal in 2013. Karl is a Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a Football Alum, an Eagle Scout and has been honored by President Clinton in the Oval Office. He sits on the Executive Board for the Pikes Peak Boy Scout Council and is the President Select. He’s a husband and father of 3 and calls home in Monument, Colorado. In his free time, you can find him at soccer games, coaching football and track, and volunteering as an assistant scout master for Boy Scout Troop 6. - Image and copy source: LinkedIn ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP Long Blue Leadership is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network, drops every two weeks on Tuesdays, and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite ...
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    37 mins