Brigadier General Robin Olds Jr. was an officer in the Army Air Corps and later an Air Force pilot from 1943 to 1973. From an early age, Olds was surrounded by great fighter pilots who mentored his leadership abilities. He character was also influenced by his father; Robin Olds Sr. Olds’ character was tested time after time as a cadet at West Point and as an Air Force Officer at the squad and wing levels. Robin Olds was a leader of character because of early influences and training, experience as a fighter pilot in World War Two, and his leadership skills as a wing commander in Vietnam.
When Robin Olds Jr. was a child, his father helped guide the development of his son’s character. His father, Captain (later Major General) Robert Olds Sr., was a fighter pilot in World War I who worked with and introduced young Robin Olds to many of the Air Force’s greatest officers including Hap Arnold and Tooey Spaatz. These visits from his father’s friends helped solidify Olds’ vision to be a fighter pilot, as shown when he says that “the brotherhood of pilots impressed [him] as much as the thrill of flying itself” (Olds and Rasimus 6). While Olds’ father was an important influence, his time at West Point was just as influential and tested Olds character as well. One day, Olds and a friend went to New York City during a free weekend. Olds had a “scotch and a soda” and when returning for check-in were confronted by “a guy who seemed to harbor a personal vendetta” (Olds and Rasimus 16). When finally asked if he drank anything, Olds truthfully answered yes and was demoted from cadet captain to private. Olds could have easily said no, but instead he chose to uphold the honor code and answered with the truth. After graduating West Point, Olds con...
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...ilots and maintenance crews. Olds used his influence and these principles of character to help the officers, airmen, and civilians under him. When he needed to get his clearance processed, Olds’ made sure all of the soldiers, rather than just himself, were taken care of. Olds did the same on the Braniff 707, making sure everybody on board was treated equally. Olds never wanted special treatment and often went out of his way to ensure his subordinates were properly cared for. Olds actions throughout his life prove that he was a true leader of character.
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Billy Bishop’s path to greatness was not an easy one. He encountered many challenges throughout his young life that recognized him as a fiercer fighter pilot and a true hero. Billy Bishop faced an incredibly tough task to achieving his dream of becoming Canada’s greatest ace. Bishop had a tough life at Owen Sound Collegiate. He would be the subject to many jokes and preferred the company of girls. However his anger and fists won him acceptance on the school ground. He was a good natured boy born on February 8th, 1984. In 1911, at the age of 17, his parents sent him Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario due to his mediocre marks in school which his father knew would not allow him to get accepted to the University of Toronto. He was not an academic student and in his third year of high school was found cheating on a class exam which would later be the subject to many controversie...
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Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
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Luke Jr. was persistently under the skepticism for his radical behavior on the battlefield making his performance notorious. Being in the U.S. Signal Corps at the time of its inception, many dreaded the thought of being trapped in an aircraft, but Lt. Luke Jr. not only rode into these battles willingly, but he openly welcomed them. During a battle around Dun-Sur-Meuse as reported by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, “though pursued by eight aircraft and facing heavy ground fire, he destroyed three balloons and killed six enemy soldiers in strafing attacks”. The courage he exhibited during the heat of combat, allowed him to accomplish more than what was expected of him. On September 29, his plane took on high amounts of shrapnel forcing him to land his plane in German territory where he was asked surrender by advancing German troops; instead he drew his pistol and began firing killing seven before taking direct fire instantly killing him. To Lt. Luke Jr., the honor that he’d receive for his actions did not matter, as stated by Arizona Public Broadcasting Service, “simple cross does not boast of his accomplishments. Those speak for themselves.” His determination to serve his nation forced him to take uncommon routes, untraveled by most just for the opportunity to inspire others to contribute the absolute most to the war
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Captain Turner is also a very humble Captain. After receiving a Silver Salver, he stated “I did not expect to receive any such recognition of my part in the matter, we all on board simply tried to do our duty as under any ordinary circumstances.”(Larson 10).
1. Personal integrity is vital to mission success within the United States Air Force. This reflection paper will cover how I compromised my personal integrity, how I comprised my Wingman’s integrity, and how I intend to ensure I embody all of the Air Force Core Values to their fullest in every activity I complete.
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