Ivan Thompson’s Post

Several months ago, at a book signing in Colorado Springs, two elderly white women asked me if my book, “The Air Force’s Black Ceiling,” was still relevant. “Black Ceiling” was written in 2016 and followed by two sequels, “The Air Force’s Black Pilot Training Experience” and “The Air Force’s Black Pilot State of the Union.” There are other sequels in the works. But the publication date didn’t prompt the questions. Lieutenant General Richard M. Clark, Superintendent of the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, is black. Former Air Force Chief of Staff (CSAF) and current Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Charles Q. Brown, is black. Lt Gen. Clark was the first black USAFA Superintendent, and Gen. Brown was the first black CSAF. The implication from the women was that there was no more black ceiling in the Air Force. The Air Force became a separate Service in 1947. Gen. Brown became CSAF in 2020. The first blacks graduated from USAFA in 1966. Lt Gen. Clark became Superintendent in 2020. These overdue breakthroughs are very significant, but too many ”firsts” still have yet to happen. This year, Lt Gen. Adrian L. Spain became the first black Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations on the Air Staff in the Pentagon. There has never been a black general officer on the Tactical Air Command/Air Combat Command staff nor a wing commander at any of the “premier” fighter wings in the continental United States. #usaf #usafa #usairforce #airforce #military #militaryhistory #diverstiy #diversityequityandinclusion #airforcehistory #blackhistory365 #pilots #blackpilots #tuskegeeairmen #obap #obapexcellence #book #books #mustread #CSAF #CJCS #secaf #glassceiling (See link below/Also available on Amazon/Bookbaby) https://bubli.sh/2rXQd6w  

Across all U.S. military services, there is a significant recruitment and retention crisis. Despite percentage increases on both the active duty and reserve sides, women only make up approximately 17% of the entire active force – with an even smaller number making up leadership roles in the military’s hierarchical structure. Increasing female representation across the joint services and at every leadership level will increase the likelihood of success. Training environments need to be designed to be geared toward the female warfighter. Targeting their unique strengths and differences will attract more female recruits and reduce attrition rates overall. Booz Allen Hamilton #WarriorGames2024 #Resilience Read more about the updates that need to be made within the U.S. military services to increase future success for #WomenWarriors by downloading the report now: https://hubs.la/Q02GLPqY0

In the tapestry of military service, each thread represents a story of tenacity, leadership, and profound commitment. Do you have an uplifting narrative from your service days that encapsulates these qualities? An experience that not only demonstrates the integrity of military life but also resonates with the core values of leadership and resilience. The Armed Forces Business Centre CIC (AFBC) recognises the importance of these stories. They are more than just personal memories; they serve as powerful examples of leadership, adaptability, and teamwork. As we share these stories, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting those who have served and continue to serve. Each account contributes to a greater understanding of the unique skills and attributes honed in the armed forces skills that are immensely valuable in the business world. These stories inspire us, offering insights into the principles that can guide successful civilian careers and enterprises. I encourage you to share your experiences on this platform, where professionals from diverse backgrounds can gain wisdom from your journey. Let’s use these narratives to educate, motivate, and reflect on the exceptional capabilities developed through military service. Join the conversation and let your story be one that sparks inspiration and fosters a deeper appreciation for the virtues that military service instills. #AFBC #Family #Community #Armedforces #Military #Emergencyservices #NHS #Colchester

Do you have what it takes for Special Forces? SOCOM Athlete is America's number 1 resource to prepare for a career in U.S. special operations, and is open to ages 16+ Many young men and women across the United States have a burning desire to become a Navy SEAL, Army Green Beret, Air Force PJ or other elite special operations careers in the military. Data shows that nearly 90% of these young men and women who attempt to become U.S. special operators will fail. These individuals are then reclassified into some of the most undesirable jobs in the military, spending the better years of their lives forced to work a job that they didn't sign up to do. SOCOM Athlete is a military-partnered organization that equips individuals for success to accomplish their dreams. Hundreds of SOCOM Athlete students have now successfully graduated special operations training. Are you pursuing a career in U.S. special operations? Your journey starts here with SOCOM Athlete. "Send Me!" -- #SpecialForces #SpecialOperations #Recruiting #NavySEALs #ArmyRanger #SpecialWarfare #AirForce #Army #Navy #Marines #USMC #Military #RLTW #GreenBeret #NationalGuard #SOCOMAthlete #MARSOC #NeverQuit

Building the Defense Innovation Base! Developing master innovators takes time and discipline. Cleo and Johnny have both made the commitment and are passing on their lessons to others! Cleo built out the #Gemini program for innovators at the ROTC Jr. level. She is developing mastery with project-based learning and innovation ecosystems to empower problem solving. Cleo is dedicated and driven. She loves a challenge! Say it can't be done, and watch her make miracles happen! Johnny is a powerful story-teller, narrative wizard, and leadership guru following the model laid out by Bob Quinn in the #FundamentalStateOfLeadership. His mastery of the Competing Values Framework for understanding organizational effectiveness is second to none!

#Landforces2024: Carl Coffman, Bell’s Vice President, Military Sales and Strategy presented Bell’s @USArmy Modernization: Future Vertical Lift. Coffman was joined by U.S. Army customer, Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Keefer, #FLRAA Development and Production Product Manager. “It’s time now that we take a marked step in capability revolution. Until you get in a tiltrotor and you operate at those speeds and those distances, you aren’t going to have a marked maneuver revolution in your capability.” #Tiltrotortechnology #FVL #ArmyModernization

💫 Transition Tip Tuesday 💫 What got you here, won’t get you there. What the hell does that mean? 🤷🏼♂️ It means you could have been super successful in the military but you will likely need to re-invent yourself to be successful in corporate America. Just like what made you a great “Individual Contributor” likely won’t make you a great Manager. Or how you became a rockstar Platoon Sergeant won’t necessarily be how you rock out as a Command Sergeant Major. 🤯 New roles and new industries require new and different skills. Make an assessment, understand your new environment, and become the New You to be successful in your new environment. 😎 Happy Tuesday! #transitioningmilitary #militarytransition #tuesdaytransformation #tuesdaytips #tuesdaythoughts #veteranshelpingveterans #leadershipdevelopment #newbeginnings #newyou

I was appreciated more for missing out on a medal than winning one. During my first term of training at the Naval Academy, I was a star runner gearing up for the prestigious cross-country event. Clinching a bronze medal among 420 participants should've been a moment of glory, right? Not quite. Despite my individual success, my squadron ended up last due to our overall performance. Fast forward to the next term, I altered my approach. Yes, I aimed for speed, but I along with a few other good runners also focused on motivating our squadron mates to excel. We ran alongside them during the race, offering encouragement when they were about to give up. The result? While I narrowly missed the bronze this time, our squadron's collective improvement was undeniable. It was then that I understood the essence of leadership: it's not about individual brilliance but elevating the entire team. In the military, leaving no one behind isn't just a mantra; it's a way of life.  Managers may extract the most out of individuals, but true leaders inspire each member to become the best version of themselves. #LeadershipLessons #Teamwork #MilitaryMindset #Navy

The attached article is a 68th posting of an extension by the author of the leadership vignette series published by the Royal Military College Club then the Royal Military Colleges of Canada Alumni Association in the Club’s and Association’s “e-Veritas” publication from 21 August 2016 to 15 November 2021. The initial series and four preceding articles would ultimately consist of 195 articles and vignettes. The extension is made by permission of the current "e-Veritas" editor and compliments a reprise of the previously published and Linkedin posted "e-Veritas" leadership vignette series that, due to server issues, was reposted in PDF form on Linkedin starting at the end of 2021. The original series is again partially available at the Royal Military Colleges Alumni Association's website at the "e-Veritas" section in the reconstituted archive of issues section. All 195 articles/vignettes and following extension articles are available as PDFs at https://lnkd.in/eqHzjDfh. The following leadership vignette examines the role a unique U.S. Army Housing Area in Kaiserslautern, Germany played in the influencing and development of many later American leaders from 1952-2009. The initially French Army family quarters (1950-52), Flieger/Blutacker Strasse U. S. Army Housing Area made a significant contribution to the leadership development journey of many American leaders for 57 years till its closing in 2009. This article examines the character of the contribution the housing area's uniques nature made to this development. Today, the housing area no longer exists but its legacy of contributing to the development of leaders continues through the leadership contribution of those who experienced this unique housing area that have served and are serving today. #Leadership #Leadershipdevelopment #Training #Trainingdevelopments #historymatters #Army #Military #Innovation #Management #Nationalguard #Humanresourcemanagement #Infantry #Infantryschool #Armor #Armorcenter #ArmyROTC #Armynationalguard #Armyreserve #Marinecorps #Fieldartillery #Airdefenseartillery #Veterantransition #Stateparks #Ranger #occupationalsafetyhealthcompliance #UConn #umassamherst

🌟 Day 3 of Armed Forces Week 🌟 Today, we honour the incredible contributions of our military Reservists. These dedicated individuals balance civilian careers with their commitment to Serve our country, embodying resilience, discipline, and leadership. To the businesses that employ reservists: thank you. Your support not only empowers these individuals to Serve but also brings immense value to your teams. Reservists come equipped with a unique set of skills, including: **Leadership:** Leading diverse teams in challenging environments. **Problem-Solving:** Quick, effective decision-making under pressure. **Adaptability:** Thriving in dynamic and unpredictable situations. **Teamwork:** Fostering collaboration and unity to achieve common goals. **Discipline:** Commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. Employing Reservists is a win-win. Their military experience enriches the workplace, driving innovation, productivity, and a strong work ethic. #ArmedForcesWeek #Reservists #Leadership #Veterans #MilitarySkills #WorkplaceExcellence