PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo -- Can you imagine a world without the internet? It was only 52 years ago Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn had the foresight to turn an idea of the internet into a reality. Without their ideas there would be no GPS, Amazon or late night infomercials.
This is just one of a thousand examples of people using their intellect and voices to bring about change.
As the world’s greatest military, we also must adapt and change our trajectory to match the ever demanding and evolving threat impacting us here and abroad. We will only continue to be the world’s greatest Air and Space Forces if we grow and conduct our own metamorphosis to shed the shroud of dormancy and spread our wings and fly to the highest reaches of space.
Recently the Front Range has witnessed the standup of the U.S. Space Force, the deactivation of the 21st and 50th Space Wings, the creation of launch, mission, and base deltas, and the deactivation of three mission support groups. This was only possible through the consorted and innovative efforts of talented men and women who identified a need and dared to challenge the way things have ‘always been done.’
As Air and Space Force professionals we should never settle for status quo. Instead, we should always strive to be better today than we were yesterday.
This is one of the driving principles on which U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown has based his “Action orders of Accelerate Change or Lose” and Chief of Space Operations General Jay Raymond’s plan to “Create a Digital Service to Accelerate Innovation”.
As the Department of Air Force celebrates 75 years, we all need to be reminded we stand on the shoulders of giants who embraced change and forged a path of technological revolution.
It will take your efforts, ingenuity and passion to challenge what has been done in the past and to harness a new future with limitless possibilities. As C.S Lewis stated “There are far better things ahead than we ever leave behind”.
My best advice is to remain SEMPER GUMBY. Be open and flexible to change. Also, as the late Colin Powell stated, “Perpetual optimism is … believing in yourself, believing in your purpose, believing you will prevail, and demonstrating passion and confidence.”
Lastly, be the voice of change, not resistance. We will need everyone to carry the colors of change and inspire others to embrace said change. Standing on the sidelines is not an option.
Space Warfighters are mission focused and primed to meet the challenge of not just today but a better tomorrow. Aim High and Semper Supra.