Originally Posted by
dtfl
THAT is a leadership problem IMO. We had a Army SF O6 CC on a contingency I was a MSN CC on. (AFSOC). He stood up after the Intel Brief and EXPLAINED to my crews the mission, the REASON, his intent and what the impact would be.
Every one of them told me that was the first time a CC actually EXPLAINED WHY they would be doing what they do...what the impact would be..and why they were hanging their asses out on the line. I made sure to pass that on to the O6.
dtfl, that is a really interesting point. In the AF, once you make O-5 or O-6 you are done with operational flying. You are a staff officer, maybe a commander, but you are no longer a flyer. You have become management.
Contrast that with the Army or USMC. O-5 or O-6 is not uncommon at all anywhere in theater. And if something lights off, they are there doing essentially the same thing as everyone else from E-1 on up.
Maybe that disconnect explains some leadership issues that have been discussed.
WW