Vets Who Code’s Post

The Tuskegee Airmen were an historic, all-Black combat aviation unit that flew more than 15,000 sorties over North Africa and Europe during World War II. The legendary fighter pilots — known as the “Red Tails” — earned the respect and trust of the bomber crews they routinely escorted across enemy skies. Before the Tuskegee Airmen, no African American had ever been a United States military pilot. African Americans served bravely and with distinction in every theater of World War II, while simultaneously struggling for their own civil rights. Although the United States Armed Forces were officially segregated until 1948, WWII laid the foundation for post-war integration of the military. In 1941 fewer than 4,000 African Americans were serving in the military and only twelve African Americans had become officers. By 1945, more than 1.2 million African Americans would be serving in uniform on the Home Front, in Europe, and the Pacific. The Tuskegee Airmen achieved a number of successes during World War II. In all, the Tuskegee Airmen earned eight Purple Hearts, fourteen Bronze Stars, three Distinguished Unit Citations, and 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses!

#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

On your command, general Lieutenant General Fernando García González-Valerio, Chief of the Spanish Joint Chiefs of Staff (JEMACON), retired this past week. I met Fernando late 70s when we were preparing together to join the Spanish Army's Military Academy in Zaragoza, and from that moment a deep friendship arose that has lasted until today. Together we took the civilian parachutist course (he has continued jumping, last time few days ago reaching more than 900 jumps) and from that moment our lives have evolved together. All this despite my disengagement from the Armed Forces and the beginning of my professional career in corporate security in 1982. I have to say that my status as defense analyst since the 80s - one of the firsts in Spain - has also allowed me to maintain an exceptional relationship with him. General Gonzalez-Valerio, in my humble opinion, and I know what I am talking about, has been an exceptional soldier with an extraordinary career, where he has combined positions at the highest operational level with others of command/leadership and organization, inside and outside Spain, highlighting two missions in Afghanistan. He has also been the protagonist of some unique situations. Perhaps the most notable was commanding as Major General the 3rd Castillejos Division, a large rapid intervention unit with a very complex and heterogeneous structure made up of three brigade-type units: the Legion Brigade (where he commanded a company as a young captain); the BRIPAC or Parachute Brigade (where he commanded a battalion or bandera); and the Airborne Brigade (where he commanded one of her two airborne regiments). This is a truly exceptional situation. This long operational experience has had an extraordinary positive impact on his other command and staff positions, the last one as JEMACON, and has granted him a great respect from his colleagues and subordinates. Another virtue that I would like to highlight about Fernando is his clear vision of what both Spanish Army and Spanish Armed Forces should be, enriched by absorbing information from very different sources and then processing it under his own criteria. I cannot hide my admiration, affection and respect for him. Whenever he had the opportunity he asked for my collaboration in some projects, of which I feel deeply proud and grateful. I hope I have not disappointed him. Life does not stop, and even less so in organizations. No one is indispensable, more in professional life, much less irreplaceable, but some leave an indelible mark that becomes a reference for future generations. And this is with no doubt the case of General González-Valerio. We have spent hours talking about the military profession, and I expect we will continue doing so. Regrettably, we have left some projects pending, but I want you to know that it has been a real honor and pleasure to work - from my modest position and when I have had the opportunity - with you and for you, and together for the Spanish Army.

Excellent introduction to the SCC aspect of H2F. A key component is injury prevention through appropriate and consistent PT. As this program expands ultilization, it's impact will be felt down the road as injuries go down and more adaptable soldiers are developed. Combined with the other resources within H2F, the program will strengthen and improve the quality of life for service members. #H2F

https://lnkd.in/gK5g_yYu While working in my garden, I noticed a new military person, Navy in uniform pulled into the driveway of the home the Lockheed Martin trainer is using to train them with USAF personnel. After checking in for his assignment, they then typically branch out to compliant locations, either in the back, front or on either side of my residence. Today the back. Yet again as yesterday, they picked up with the heart beam, then head after announcing "I hate her." I am sure this is part of war strategy training. They must be confused. This is not a personality contest nor am I trying to win Ms. Congeniality in a rightful battle for my life, and due to war programming they will kill! The fact is, it is fruitless to tell them the truth of this program creating setups, using mind invasive subliminal influence technology and worse on many. As Government issues (G.I.) the truth is not in them, nor can it be! Forgive me but I see absolutely nothing heroic about this monstrous program destroying the lives of men, women and children that has placed our military boys at the helm. There is nothing honorable or heroic about what they are doing today, and the truth is not in them nor can it be. They also have names for each other... Pier-Queer: Air Force term for "Sailor." (The Navy term for Air Force personnel is simply "Queer.") Pier tender: A ship that never gets under way... FAG: Fighter Attack Guy - an F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet pilot or naval flight officer ("NFO"). Also a "Fine Academy Graduate" used as a derogatory term to refer to graduates of the Naval Academy. Also "Forward Area Guy" used as derogatory term for submarine personnel other than engineering department, brought upon due to a COB's ban of the term "Coner".

A very smart move of the Air Force to appoint an individual who is highly capable to moving MDA forward to mission success.

So yesterday my friend and #Vistage Chair colleague Jim Ristuccia posted a photo which brought me immediately back to my days as a #USNavy helicopter pilot. It also spurred me to post this observation which I have stated so many times about #Leadership. In the Navy, you can walk down the waterfront or along the flight line and see ship after ship or squadron after squadron of like ships or aircraft. These parallel ships/squadrons have exactly the same characteristics, the same exact budgets, access to the same pool of parts, materials, manpower, etc. They are basically indistinguishable from each other. Yet within the first 15 minutes onboard you can tell which unit is the best, and certainly which one is the worst - in nearly every category - performance, morale, readiness, culture, etc. The only difference is the #Leadership provided from the Commanding Officer on down through their wardroom, Chiefs Mess and individual Sailors. The leadership permeates every aspect of life within that ship or squadron and clearly separates the "Best" from the rest.

Outstanding convocation address. Not surprising, coming from a fellow Longhorn alum. So here’s the summary of it, using “American” football terms, i.e. Offense, Defense, and Special team. Btw, I too am still reliving that Jan 1 Sugar Bowl game and hoping each time that the outcome was different... lol! Offense = Courage. Having the guts to shoot when the chance arises. Opportunities don't always present themselves twice, so you have to be prepared to act. Following your convictions even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. It will usually require you to take the less-traveled path, which can occasionally be lonely, but you should still go for it. Defense = Grit, perseverance, tenacity. Having the determination to keep going when you “temporarily” fail. And if you live long enough, this will eventually come to pass. Make sure you keep going forward while taking lessons from your mistakes and disappointments. How far (altitude) you can go depends on how you approach every scenario, and it usually pays off to always keep a positive attitude. Special team. Often overlooked, but equally important to succeed. Special teams many times make subtle but very tangible impacts during the course of a game that can be the critical factor between winning and losing. Having a unified team can make all the difference. No one can do it alone, just as no man is an island by himself. So, build your team carefully and let them be your support, the wind beneath your wings when needed. Congratulations to all of the graduates! Welcome to the prestigious club where you can now proudly lay claim to be an alumni of The University of Texas at Austin. Go out there and make a difference in the world—after all, what really does start at 40 Acres, changes the world. Hook 'em 🤘.