Colonel Kivi speaks to CGOs at luncheon

  • Published
  • By Capt. Seth Swift
  • Air Force Research Laboratory
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  "What can you do to prepare as a leader for the upcoming changes in the Air Force?"

This was the question posed by Col. Eric Kivi, 58th Special Operations Wing commander, to 24 captains and lieutenants at the quarterly Company Grade Officer Council professional development luncheon Nov. 18 at the Mountain View Club.

As the guest speaker, Colonel Kivi answered this question by focusing on three issues facing senior leaders: safety of forces, effective communication and adapting to change.

"I'd like you to consider ... how do we keep our people who are under the age of 26 safe and out of trouble?" Colonel Kivi asked as he stared at three lieutenants under age 26.

This question was in reference to the statistic of more frequent safety mishaps and disciplinary issues attributed to this age group. Colonel Kivi's solution: frontline supervisors are the key. "Your staffs, your technical sergeants, your lieutenants and your captains will be more effective at keeping young Airmen safe than the colonels and the generals can. Leadership is about communication."

Colonel Kivi tied this statement into what he views as a series of changes that have swept through the Air Force, including strategic changes from the Cold War era to current conflicts, and communicating the revival of the Air Force's seriousness toward nuclear compliance and assurance.

In addition, Colonel Kivi said, "The fitness program is an example of a cultural change." He said that Airmen continue to maintain high qualification standards for their jobs as well as high fitness standards, which wasn't the case only a few years ago. Referring his boss at Air Education and Training Command, Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Colonel Kivi noted, "Leadership is about balancing shortfalls," and "Your job will be easier if you work the problems of your boss's boss."

So how do Airmen prepare as leaders for the upcoming changes in the Air Force? Colonel Kivi believes it's by understanding and advocating airpower. "As future leaders, you need to learn about airpower, understand the importance of airpower."

He said when the time is right, we as Airmen, leaders, and officers need to advocate airpower to ensure these changes improve our warfighting efforts. He recommended that CGOs educate themselves about their profession. He specifically recommended the book, "John Warden and the Renaissance of American Airpower," by John A. Olsen, as an example of a brilliant Air Force officer who was a flawed leader.

The CGOC's charter is to enhance professional development, community service and camaraderie among CGOs and to promote their interests with Air Force leadership. For more information, contact 1st Lt. Ryan Davis at ryan.davis@kirtland.af.mil or call 853-2650.