Air University Review, November-December 1968

The Leadership and Military Training Program

Brigadier General Robin Olds

The keynote of the USAFA Commandant’s Leadership and Military Training Program is challenge—both mental and physical. To further that challenge, every opportunity possible for leadership and management of resources is afforded the cadets. From the time they first enter the Academy, cadets are confronted with tests of varying degrees of complexity calling for resourceful use of time and manpower. These challenges are designed to convert the young civilian into a cadet, the capable cadet into a confident leader, and the leader into a competent, dedicated junior officer.

Leadership training is conducted under the philosophy that the cadet must first be able to follow before he can lead. Under the guidance of the upper classes, the cadet’s first two years at the Academy (the Fourth and Third Class years) are spent in learning how to exercise authority. In addition to formal academic study, informal squadron training is conducted on the theory of leadership. Although some opportunity is afforded for practical application of this theory, most of the leadership assignments are reserved for the last two upperclass years. As the cadet emerges from the trainee status of his first two years, he is given positions of authority. The most immediate leadership challenge for the upperclass cadet is the assumption of a position of responsibility in his own Cadet Wing. Under the guidance of the Commandant’s staff, the wing, group, and squadron cadet officers are appointed twice a year. These positions of responsibility are assumed in addition to the full academic load carried by all cadets. The operation of the Cadet Wing with it myriad of daily activities is in the hands of these young men. They quickly learn to live with their mistakes and to avoid repeating them, The confidence, maturity, and skill gained in these assignments are directly reflected in the ability of Academy graduates to rapidly and positively assume positions of demanding leadership early in their officer careers.

In order to extend the challenges of leadership over as broad a field of education and practical experience as possible, the military training program is conducted both in a classroom and in a field training environment. Each is designed to provide the cadet with the knowledge and skill necessary to increase his confidence in himself and his ability to lead others. This program begins the day the cadet first reports to the Academy and ends with the march-on to graduation four years later. It is conducted not only during the academic year but during the majority of the cadet’s four summers at the Academy as well. During the academic year, both faculty and cadets teach a variety of military subjects designed to familiarize cadets with the armed forces of the United States and its allies and the forces of the Communist powers. Classes are also conducted on the combat operations and tactics used by the United States Air Force. Command training conducted on Saturday mornings orients and motivates the cadet toward service life. Through the use of officer-conducted seminars and guest speakers, cadets are kept abreast of current military and political affairs.

During the summer periods, cadets are involved in a number of field training programs. These programs, which begin with the “doolie” summer, consist of instruction and experience in survival, evasion, resistance, and escape as well as weapons familiarization, aircraft orientation flights, and experience in air base defense. The rough country adjacent to the Academy is utilized for most of the field exercises, with nearby Fort Carson providing training areas and demonstrations of Army weapons and tactics. With the exception of flight training, all field training is conducted by upperclass cadets, each of whom must fulfill at least one leadership position in a field training program.

In addition to the field training provided at the Academy, training programs are conducted at various Air Force bases throughout the country. Third Class cadets spend three weeks visiting various bases on a ZI field trip. Upperclass cadets can elect training and research programs located at many different bases. Each upperclass cadet must also complete a three-week tour of duty with an active Air Force unit. This training introduces him to Air Force life in the most practical way possible—actually involving him in a working position on an Air Force team. This program, called Operation Third Lieutenant, has proven to be one of the most popular and beneficial programs on the military training schedule.

Nor is service contact limited to the Air Force. Each year the Academy sends nearly 500 cadets to the Army’s parachute school at Fort Benning. The program is voluntary and leads to the awarding of the coveted jump wings. In addition, selected cadets attend programs conducted by the U.S. Navy which challenge their mental and physical ability.

To complement the required classroom and field training, the Academy has many optional flying programs. Lightplane training in the T-41 is required for those First Class cadets who volunteer for pilot training. Optional programs in soaring, parachuting, and navigation training help to motivate the cadet toward a rated career in the Air Force. Flying training and indoctrination are performed out of nearby Peterson Field and from the new landing strip facilities on the Academy grounds. These optional programs are supplemented by participation in cadet clubs featuring glider, parachute, and lightplane training.

Throughout the entire four-year program of academics, military training, and athletics at the Academy, there is a continuous orientation of the cadet toward an Air Force career. The best training in the world, improperly motivated, would not produce the outstanding young career officer we hope to graduate from the Academy. With this in mind, the Commandant’s staff is carefully chosen to reflect a cross section of the finest career officers in the Air Force. The curriculum of the Leadership and Military Training Program is designed to furnish the skills, self-assurance, maturity, and motivation needed by the junior Air Force officer.

The Academy recently graduated and commissioned its tenth class. In Vietnam and throughout the world, alumni of the Academy have established outstanding records. The United States has cause to be proud of these young men, many of whom have paid the ultimate price in the service of their country. They have answered well the challenge to their country, because they were trained and nurtured on challenge and responsibility from the day they entered the Academy.

United States Air Force Academy

Contributor

Brigadier General Robin Olds (USMA) is Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy. After pilot training in 1943, he was assigned to the European Theater of Operations, where he flew 107 missions, with 24.5 official victories, and became Commander, 434th Fighter Squadron in March 1945. Other assignments have been as base, group, or wing commander in the U.S. and in England (3 years), Germany (13 months), and Libya (26 months); at Hq USAF, Air Defense Division, 1958-60; as a member of the Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1960-62; and as student. National War College, 1962-63. As Commander, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand (PACAF), from September 1966 to December 1967, General Olds flew 100 combat missions over North Vietnam and was credited with destroying four MIGs in combat.

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.

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