A Sign of Respect: Warriors of the North render morning salute to new AMC commander

Gen. Darren McDew, Commander of Air Mobility Command, smiles and returns a salute to a group of Warriors of the North, who stood steadfast to greet him with a morning salute as he walked out of the North Dakota House in order to address approximately 1,500 civilians and service members during an all call at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 10, 2014. Less than 30 minutes later the four-star general delivered what some people described as one of the most engaging and practical-minded formal addresses they’d ever heard from general officers. The all call was part of the general’s official visit to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

AMC commander fields questions from Warriors of the North

Air Mobility Commander Gen. Darren McDew takes questions during a visit with Airmen from the 319th Air Base Wing on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 10, 2014. McDew enjoys and expects smart, thoughtful questions during his visits and in this case awarded 10,000 “points” to an Airman who asked a particularly good one. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

AMC commander challenges Warriors of the North

Published June 12, 2014
By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Air Mobility Commander Gen. Darren McDew shared his ideas about leadership and successful careers with Airmen of the 319th Air Base Wing here June 10.

McDew spoke to the wing as part of his first visit to Grand Forks AFB since taking charge of Air Mobility Command in May.

McDew called on the Airmen to be inspired by their storied heritage, but challenged the idea that leaders like Gen. Carl Spaatz or Gen. Curtis LeMay were great just by virtue of being accomplished pilots.

"They were bold," McDew said, "it had everything to do with the courage inside them."

McDew went on to say that Airmen in non-flying roles are just as bold as those that came before. He recalled decorating one Airman with a Bronze Star for leading more than 120 convoys and said to the audience, "tell me that isn't courage."

In addition to pressing the gathered Airmen to think of their leaders in different ways, he also pushed them to rethink how they do everyday business.

Here, McDew laced his words with humor. For instance, he said that when he became a general he was counseled not to use the word "stupid," and use phrases such as "that adds less value." However, one of his challenges to the wing was to "stop perpetuating stupid things."

The audience laughed as McDew described how a stupid idea is suggested and, when no one speaks up against it at the outset, it becomes ingrained to whoever is assigned to make the stupid idea work.

"It's still stupid, but now it's yours," McDew said, adding that the trick is to realize there are jobs and goals more worthy of the time and effort.

"How many stupid things are you perpetuating?" he asked.

Before he started his discussion, McDew said he would require at least three good questions of the audience before being dismissed, and that he would even grade them. He received three times as many.

One question that earned several 'points' came from a young airman 1st class who asked how to be successful in the Air Force. McDew's answer was to put yourself fully into your current job. In other words, dominate the current mission.

"I never once considered the next job," he said. "Own what you own; don't wait for someone else."

As McDew came to the end of his visit, he urged the Airmen to realize they are all Air Force leaders, to be inspired by their rich heritage, dominate the mission they have today, and boldly forge their future.

If they reflect on that, McDew concluded, "the results will be a better you, a better team, and a better Air Force."