Deborah Lee James, 23rd SECAF was here 4/17/19 to discuss her upcoming book release & answer questions.

2019-04-10T16:18:44-04:00

Deborah Lee James, 23rd Secretary of the Air Force here to discuss my upcoming book release https://rly.pt/AimHigh and answer questions concerning how to navigate your career?

Deborah Lee James has a three-decade track record of leading, transforming and driving lasting change in the US government and in private industry. As only the second woman in history to lead a branch of the male dominated US military, Deborah faced high stakes challenges as Secretary of the Air Force, the CEO equivalent of a 660,000, $140 billion enterprise. For three years during a period of unprecedented political dysfunction, she led the effort to recruit, train and equip the premier air, space and cyber force on the planet, sending forces forward to combat ISIS in the Middle East, reassure European allies against a resurgent Russia and preparing forces for possible combat operations on the Korean Peninsula. Earlier in her career, Deborah was a senior executive at defense giant, SAIC, where she led a $2 billion enterprise during a time of enormous change within the company. Along the way, Deborah raised two children as a single mother.

Through personal stories from her days as a young professional, as a business leader at SAIC and from the halls of the Pentagon, Deborah reveals her approach to surviving, thriving and leading through change and dysfunction at the intersection of politics, business, and family.

Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success: Deborah Lee James, Sheryl Sandberg: 9781642930344:...

Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success [Deborah Lee James, Sheryl Sandberg] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A GUIDING LIGHT TO THRIVING, PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY, IN TODAY’S WORLD OF INCREASING DYSFUNCTION AND ANXIETY.Dysfunction abounds in America in so many ways

Response by PO1 H Gene Lawrence made Apr 10 at 2019 4:25 PM

2019-04-10T16:25:55-04:00

Impressive resume

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 10 at 2019 4:53 PM

2019-04-10T16:53:32-04:00

Thanks for joining us, Deborah James. Being a former AFSPC guy, I'm excited to see what happens with the new Space Force doctrine. How do you see the USAF leaders, technology, and culture changing to meet the needs of this growing mission?

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Apr 10 at 2019 5:04 PM

2019-04-10T17:04:08-04:00

Should be a very informative discussion, hope it goes GREAT!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Apr 10 at 2019 6:40 PM

2019-04-10T18:40:11-04:00

I would love to understand the military strategy with the threats of super fast movers like hypersonic rockets / attack aircraft and the growing use of remote or AI controlled drone or drone swarms. I am concerned we have invested heavily in a few platforms that may be have weaknesses to simpler attack models.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 10 at 2019 8:20 PM

2019-04-10T20:20:56-04:00

Thanks for joining us Deborah James ! I would love to hear your thoughts on two things.

1) What is the biggest challenge you see impact active duty Airman?
2) What ideas do you have to help active duty Airmen/women have a smoother transition to civilian life when that time comes?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 10 at 2019 10:25 PM

2019-04-10T22:25:28-04:00

What do you see as the biggest challenges that the Space Force will face? Also, will the Space Force recruit mostly from within the ranks, or mostly from the civilian sector?

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 11 at 2019 1:34 AM

2019-04-11T01:34:18-04:00

Great Info...Thanks For The Share

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 15 at 2019 5:03 PM

2019-04-15T17:03:09-04:00

Thank you for taking the time to interact with us Deborah James.
Background. The USAF was birthed from the U.S. Army Air Corps at time when the U.S. Navy had a history of employing aircraft in combat for at as long as the Army did.
Pilots, crews, maintenance and in fact all sustainment of aircraft have generally bifurcated along the Service lines of USAF and US Navy/USMC.
The Joint Strike Fighter program is the latest effort to provide a common weapons system platform for the Military services.
Military Aircraft tend to get more expensive in the acquisition and sustainment processes as well as pilot and maintainer training. Spiral design processes tend to be required IMHO.
1. How should the USAF keep acquisition, sustainment, training costs to be considered affordable and necessary in the budget negotiations?
2. How should the USAF attract pilots, aircrews and maintainers and support personnel to join the Air Force and stay in the USAF in sufficient numbers over time?

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Apr 15 at 2019 8:48 PM

2019-04-15T20:48:11-04:00

Extremely impressive.

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 11:00 AM

2019-04-16T11:00:27-04:00

What were the greatest threats to national security you saw while Secretary of the Air Force that still concern you?

Response by SSgt Andy Brown made Apr 16 at 2019 11:24 AM

2019-04-16T11:24:24-04:00

Congratulations on your book release, it looks like a fascinating story.

1. What advice can you offer to help people survive and thrive in today's polarized and uncompromising political and social climate?

2. What more can be done to remove the stigma associated with armed forces personnel seeking mental-health counseling?

Thank you, and good luck.

Response by A1C Eric Skaggs made Apr 16 at 2019 11:34 AM

2019-04-16T11:34:44-04:00

I got hurt on duty and could no longer perform my job. My first sergeant told me he would let me out early, give me my gi bill and honorable discharge. He lied to me. He gave me an honorable(general) which disqualified me for the gi bill I paid $1200 into. I found out later I should've gotten an honorable medical discharge. How do I right this wrong?

Response by Amn Scott Dean made Apr 16 at 2019 11:44 AM

2019-04-16T11:44:44-04:00

How do you see the role of Civil Air Patrol changing to help the Air Force with non-combat/support missions as budgets get tighter.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Apr 16 at 2019 12:06 PM

2019-04-16T12:06:53-04:00

Thanks for joining us!
My question is related to "for three years during a period of unprecedented political dysfunction."

What was this dysfunction and what caused it? More importantly, how did this dysfunction impact our readiness and the lives of our Airmen? If you could advise the next SECAF, what would you tell them?

Response by SSgt Christopher Clinton made Apr 16 at 2019 4:40 PM

2019-04-16T16:40:10-04:00

How did you balance your schedule with you professional career and parenting responsibilities as a single mother? I am a single father and have been trying to find a way to break through that time barrier and advance my career.

Response by Lt Col Tom Freeman made Apr 16 at 2019 8:51 PM

2019-04-16T20:51:10-04:00

Deborah Lee James, Thank you for your exemplary USAF leadership & service and your time with RP today. 1) Do you envision a DoD rapid/24 hour responsive spacelift requirement?; 2.) If so, which branch would you task?; 3.) How could we put the speed of heat on the POM process to fund the requirement? VR Lt Col (r) Screamin Tom Freeman, LTS Rough Rider

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 7:34 AM

2019-04-17T07:34:02-04:00

Seeing the current leadership team battling an aircrew retention crisis, do you have any regrets about the way the Air Force handled the RIF/VSP in 2013?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 17 at 2019 9:45 AM

2019-04-17T09:45:26-04:00

In your opinion, what would need to happen for the Air Force to implement an aviation warrant officer program similar to the US Army to help alleviate the pilot shortage and possibly slow the pilot exodus?

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Apr 17 at 2019 10:43 AM

2019-04-17T10:43:42-04:00

Congratulations on th new book!

Response by Lt Col Don Hartranft made Apr 17 at 2019 1:18 PM

2019-04-17T13:18:45-04:00

I'm a DAV with 30% disability compensation from the VA. I also lose 30% of my retired pay. A rip off big time. H.R.303 (Retired Pay Restoration Act) had been introduced in Congress back in 2017 to correct this situation but nothing happens. Can you do anything about this gross injustice to me and many DAVs like me?

Response by SGT James Murphy made Apr 17 at 2019 2:09 PM

2019-04-17T14:09:18-04:00

Very Impressive Resume. There are so few women in aviation like this. This being a small club I am wondering if the Secretary would know another Great woman in Aviation and personal friend of mine "Jet Linda" Linda D. Pendleton?

Response by MSgt Wes Bryant made Apr 17 at 2019 3:12 PM

2019-04-17T15:12:43-04:00

Hello Deborah James,
Thank you for coming onto this forum to discuss your book and share your insight. There is one question I have that may be a bit outside the box.

Anyone who has been career military, at some point in their version of professional military education, received at least a brief class on the senior military chain of command and how it interacts with civilian political leadership. However, what is always lacking is real perspective. We learn this sort of "anecdotal" chain of command and how it's supposed to work, and that's about it. Frankly, I always wondered myself--how are the roles really balanced between the logistical/operational/strategic objectives of our uniformed service leadership, and the objectives that you have as the service secretary. And what kinds of challenges did you face in balancing those roles and melding your goals/objectives to something that you all could agree on--and that the senior political leadership would back you on?

Response by Ryan Callahan made Apr 17 at 2019 4:00 PM

2019-04-17T16:00:19-04:00

Deborah James What advice do you have for a civilian who works with and for the military population? I try everyday to live RallyPoint's mission "To help all members of the military community lead more successful and fulfilling lives."

Response by Cpl Joseph Heaphy made Apr 17 at 2019 4:33 PM

2019-04-17T16:33:51-04:00

Thanks for coming. As a Marine Grunt, I appreciated the ground support from those up above. Have a great evening!

Response by Capt Mark P made Apr 18 at 2019 9:06 AM

2019-04-18T09:06:12-04:00

SAC, TAC, and MAC died in 1992 when their names were changed. Will you please seriously consider restoring the names of our MAJCOMs and undoing this past name changing mistake? It would be a.minimal cost and have a major impact on USAF tradition. Thank you for Aiming High with my beloved Air Force!!! USAF Veteran 1977-1989.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Apr 18 at 2019 10:02 AM

2019-04-18T10:02:11-04:00

Deborah James Ma'am, you are at once captivating and honorable. It is quite an honor to have you with us: HERO! ENJOY YOUR STAY, MA'AM!
-Cordially and Respectfully, Most Respectfully- Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Singer/Photographer

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Apr 18 at 2019 10:59 AM

2019-04-18T10:59:45-04:00

Impressive!! A best seller?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 18 at 2019 2:42 PM

2019-04-18T14:42:48-04:00

No questions madam secretary, hope that your book is a huge success. Have a great afternoon ma'am.