It is very rare when a leader breaks ranks from those that support him, but it also takes a good leader to call the shots, push those that appear to be lagging and spotlight not only their concerns but provide guidance. This week, Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Robert Gates attempted to do just that in comments specifically directed at a single branch of the military: the United States Air Force.
As the Secretary of Defense, Gates is responsible for the formulation of defense policy and its execution. With his hands full dealing with the oversight and execution of two major conflicts, is it also his obligation as chief executive of the military components to weigh in on the each military services operation when needed.
In current conflicts that resemble more urban warfare, Gates has called on the Air Force leadership to refocus it's efforts to support not only this current conflict but to have the vision to see future conflicts. Too often the Air Force has rested on it's laurels of supreme air power based on the success of Desert Storm. As Gates stated, "The Air Force ought to be less concerned with buying more $350 million F-22 fighters for use in future wars that may never happen" and do more to deliver what is needed to fight the wars currently under way "while their outcome may still be in doubt."
His criticism is fundamental and reaches the heart of both the current Air Force leadership and future leadership. In a rare occurrence, executive leadership at the highest levels of government is encouraging freedom to think out of the box and respectfully challenge the status quo without fear of retribution.
As an example of the type of leadership Gates is seeking from those he supervises, he highlighted the late John Boyd, an Air Force pilot who had to bulldoze his way through the Air Force hierarchy to get the F-16 fighter created, and for telling colleagues they could think in traditional Air Force ways that "will get you promoted and get good assignments," or do the right thing "and do something for your country, and for your Air Force, and for yourself."
OhMyGov! agrees that "an unconventional era of warfare requires unconventional thinkers" and salutes Secretary Gates for having the political courage to speak out on this important issue.