Gen. CQ Brown Jr., chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, visited Auburn University’s School of Aviation on April 20 to inspire the next generation of change-makers in aviation by advising them on sound leadership.
As chief of staff, Brown leads the organization and training
of more than half a million active-duty Airmen at home and abroad. He advises
the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council and president on
military matters.
Brown shared several keys of good leadership with students,
including relationship-building, delegation and driving change.
“If we can believe it, we can achieve it,” Brown said.
“That’s the job that I have as the chief, to set the path, the pattern for the
Air Force to move us forward, and for all those who are going to come into our
Air Force well after I’m gone, to make sure we’re on the right path.”
Prior to becoming the Air Force chief of staff, Brown
commanded the Pacific Air Forces, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, a fighter
squadron, two fighter wings and U.S. Air Forces Central Command. His command
pilot experience includes more than 3,000 flying hours, including 130 combat
hours.
Brown warned students that change is hard, and that
leadership comes with adversity. He advised them to be able to lead themselves
before they lead others, protect their credibility, know the power of their
words and enact change before it is necessary.
“If you wait to change and you have a crisis, you’re too
late,” Brown said. “As the chief of staff for the Air Force, what I’ve been
focused on is driving change. What I tell our Airmen: If you feel comfortable
while we’re driving change, we’re not changing. You’ve got to get comfortable
being uncomfortable, because I’d rather be uncomfortable today than lose.”
For his outstanding service across nearly four decades,
Brown has earned medals and decorations in distinguished service, national
defense service, global war on terrorism service, aerial achievement, combat
readiness, Korea defense, nuclear deterrence operations and more from U.S. and
international organizations.
From a Texas Tech University scholarship student to the most
senior uniformed member of the U.S. Air Force, Brown’s biggest inspiration is
the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black Airmen to serve and fly in the U.S.
military during World War II who helped lead the desegregation of the U.S.
Armed Forces.
Brown said it’s important to share stories of inspiration across
generations.
“Every single one of us has something that inspires us or
why we do what we do,” Brown said. “I really believe young people are inspired
to be what they see. If we don’t ever have a chance to share those stories and
talk about what inspires us “… that’s important.”
Brown addressed School of Aviation students and university
leadership, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr. and representatives from the Auburn
Aviation Industry Advisory Board. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ronald L. Burgess, executive
vice president of Auburn University and former director of the U.S. Defense
Intelligence Agency, introduced Brown to a full house in the Foy Hall
auditorium.
“You ought to listen to what he says, because this is the
measure of a senior leader in my mind,” Burgess said. “That is the ability to
be candid in your introspection of yourself and the organization to which you
belong.”
Aspiring pilots and aviation managers from Auburn
University, Alabama State University, Tuskegee University and Troy University
attended the event, along with student veterans from across a variety of
majors.
Selah Fields, a professional flight senior and director of
the Striped Wings aviation ambassadors, said hearing from such a high-caliber
aviator and seeing his shared passion for aviation will improve leadership
skills across the program.
“We all have a passion for flying, and that’s represented by
Gen. Brown, so having someone with that authority, that experience and that
wisdom come and speak to us really means a lot to me and all the students at
the School of Aviation,” Fields said. “I think as pilots, we all have
leadership that is instilled within us, and so going forward, the leadership
that he’s displayed and talked about today is something I will definitely take
with me.”
The School of Aviation in the College of Liberal Arts offers
programs in aviation management and professional flight. Each program focuses
on business acumen, leadership, global awareness, technological expertise and a
commitment to advancing the field of aviation.
College of Liberal Arts Dean Jason Hicks said the talk will
help students in the School of Aviation visualize their own successful futures
and continue to reach new heights.
“Gen. Brown’s visit was a real opportunity for these
students to learn from someone who’s in an amazing leadership position,” Hicks
said. “It’s really inspirational, hearing in person about how to deal with
adversity, how to motivate yourself and others and how to learn from failure.
Seeing and hearing in person how someone goes through the ranks and has the
attitude and aspirations to keep them driving forward was a great message for
everyone.”
