Strength in Youth

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Colby Kuhns
  • 1st Reconnaissance Wing commander
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  By the time Alexander the Great was the age of a typical Airman 1st Class, he had already led armies to victory and become king. By the time he was the age of a young Capt. or Tech. Sgt., he had conquered most of the known world.

The U.S. has had at least nine Presidents that took office when they were younger than our former Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. McGillicuddy (and two younger than Col. Stewart). I throw these facts out there to highlight that an airman's youth should never present a barrier to contribution and achievement!

Now more than ever we need an empowered youth to step up with ideas and energy. We also need an empowering leadership that recognizes the quickened lifecycle of technology and the fact that today's 20 year old airman probably has more experience with game changing technologies than a 40 year old Lt. Col. With the ideas of youth and the support of leadership, our Air Force can find ways to overcome an impending lack of funding and equipment.

So here is the challenge to all young airmen; who is going to step up and be an Alexander Grahm Bell in his late 20s, or a Bill Gates in his early 20s? Are you going to have the courage to present your ideas, and the conviction to stand behind them even if they are initially challenged? "Seasoned" airmen, are you going to value the ideas of a 51 year old Col Ferdinand Foch who predicted "Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value" disproportionally over the 28 year old 1st Lieutenant Benjamin Foulois who around the same time was predicting "the struggle for supremacy of the air will undoubtedly take place while opposing armies are maneuvering for position"?

For your consideration...