Posted on Jun 24, 2015
Brigadier General John Michel here, I'm stopping by on June 30 to speak with you. What questions do you have for me?
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*This discussion will be monitored by RallyPoint Staff*
*Post your questions below*
We are excited to welcome General John Michel to RallyPoint on Tuesday June 30, 2015 at 5:00pm EST for a live Q and A session! General Michel recently retired from the Air Force, where he served as Commanding General at NATO Air Training Command, Afghanistan. He’s also well known for founding and popularizing one of the most influential leadership blogs on the planet: GeneralLeadership.com.
This year General Michel is releasing a new book, as a follow up to his most recent: “The Art of Positive Leadership”. He’ll be joining us to discuss:
• Experience & Challenges as head of NATO Air Training Command, Afghanistan
• The future of NATO given events in the Middle East & Russia
• The Art of Positive Leadership: The importance of impactful leaders in our modern, connected military
*Post your questions below*
We are excited to welcome General John Michel to RallyPoint on Tuesday June 30, 2015 at 5:00pm EST for a live Q and A session! General Michel recently retired from the Air Force, where he served as Commanding General at NATO Air Training Command, Afghanistan. He’s also well known for founding and popularizing one of the most influential leadership blogs on the planet: GeneralLeadership.com.
This year General Michel is releasing a new book, as a follow up to his most recent: “The Art of Positive Leadership”. He’ll be joining us to discuss:
• Experience & Challenges as head of NATO Air Training Command, Afghanistan
• The future of NATO given events in the Middle East & Russia
• The Art of Positive Leadership: The importance of impactful leaders in our modern, connected military
Posted in these groups: 
Q&A
Q&A
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 31
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Brig Gen John Michel
My favorite historical influences include Teddy Roosevelt and George Marshall. Both were very morally courageous leaders.
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Brig Gen John Michel Sir, having served as Commanding General at NATO Air Training Command, Afghanistan what is your assessment of the Air capabilities and limitations of the Afghan Forces in general? How do they rate in terms of air logistics, air support deep and close air attacks, air assault (inserting infantry) casualty evacuation, ISR and other missions I may have missed? How important is Air Power to the success of the ANSF given the total lack of Air capabilities of their enemy?
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Brig Gen John Michel
Ok, lots here to elaborate on but suffice to say, I'll begin with the end in mind. Airport is an exponential force multiplier in Afghanistan. Given the terrain, tribal culture, and fragmented infrastructure, air power provides a means of legitimizing the government and demonstrating its commitment to serving the Afghan citizens.
Close air attack is limited but growing with the recent addition of scores of "little birds." The First trained A-29 crews arrive late year and tactical airlift is available and growing. Mi-17 use is very strong and special mission capabilities (troop insertion and IS
Close air attack is limited but growing with the recent addition of scores of "little birds." The First trained A-29 crews arrive late year and tactical airlift is available and growing. Mi-17 use is very strong and special mission capabilities (troop insertion and IS
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Sir, This is exciting to have you here with us. I'm a big fan of your GeneralLeadership.com team.
Your time in command of NATO airpower training in Afghanistan will surely leave a legacy for the history books. Stepping into a leadership role like that has to start somewhere and with some kind of framework to work within. What was the first thing you wanted to accomplish after taking command? Also, what leadership traits and skills do you feel were most important during this deployment?
Your time in command of NATO airpower training in Afghanistan will surely leave a legacy for the history books. Stepping into a leadership role like that has to start somewhere and with some kind of framework to work within. What was the first thing you wanted to accomplish after taking command? Also, what leadership traits and skills do you feel were most important during this deployment?
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Brig Gen John Michel
The first thing I did was spell out in wiring what my people could expect from me and what I expect from them. I immediately launched into an highly transparent, inclusive, highly communicative effort to honestly understand where we stood in our efforts in relation to timing, funding, rate of progress, etc. within 30 days our team had CO-CREATED a 400-day success plan and we stuck to it for the next year...and progress was nothing short of astounding.
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Brig Gen John Michel
Thank you for joining us here on RP.
What do you see as the role of other NATO members in the continuing campaign in the ME. I ask this because of other discussions on RP about what our continued role in NATO/UN missions should be.
Thank you, sir!
Thank you for joining us here on RP.
What do you see as the role of other NATO members in the continuing campaign in the ME. I ask this because of other discussions on RP about what our continued role in NATO/UN missions should be.
Thank you, sir!
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Brig Gen John Michel
I firmly believe NATO must be a growing part of all solutions in the ME and anywhere else it's appropriate. This includes investing more money in defense and growing relevant capabilities. It's time for a more balanced distribution than we have experienced.
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Grateful for this opportunity to join everyone this evening. Many thanks Rallypoint team for facilitating this conversation. Here we go.
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Greetings General
What challenges do you see the financial difficulties in the Eurozone posing for the future of NATO?
Thank you
Maj Folsom
What challenges do you see the financial difficulties in the Eurozone posing for the future of NATO?
Thank you
Maj Folsom
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Brig Gen John Michel
Great question! I think this will continue to put pressure on NATO countries underinvesting I their own defensive and offensive capabilities. For years the share of NATO contributions to defense spending have shrunk and as we have witnessed with events in the Ukraine, as well as ever-present terrorist threats across the continent, NOW is the time to balance the books...this financial season shall pass. Safety, responsibility, and embracing commitments never is easy. #Leadership
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Sir, I separated from the Air Force in 2006 assuming life would be better as a civilian making the tons of money I was promised. I was wrong. There are many of us who have felt the same way.
Many of us become depressed, can not find jobs, can not hold relationships, can not conform to civilian lifestyle once separating ourselves from the "brotherhood" we knew.
My theory is: They are introduced to the military lifestyle at a young age where minds are easily shaped (18 to 19 year old in basic training) They work in a cohesive unit, they create a bond with these men and women that is unbreakable. The next thing, they are in the outside civilian world where no one cares about the "bond" or "brotherhood". This leads to "unemployment" "depression" and even the unthinkable 22 suicides a day.
There are many grassroots veteran organizations out there that are trying to cater to these same veterans, trying to reconnect, and trying to recreate the bond. Some of these organizations are
rallypoint, Warrior Pointe Inc, Battle In Distress. Even some humor facebook pages such as Awesome Sh*t My Drill Sergeant Said.
My question is this: How can a man of your stature get more involved, and get more prominent military leaders to get involved in these organizations to help the veteran community? z
How can the organization Warrior Pointe inc. (http://www.warriorpointe.org) contact someone to plug a representative in major military installations during out processing to let these individuals know that there are organizations out there to help them?
Many of us become depressed, can not find jobs, can not hold relationships, can not conform to civilian lifestyle once separating ourselves from the "brotherhood" we knew.
My theory is: They are introduced to the military lifestyle at a young age where minds are easily shaped (18 to 19 year old in basic training) They work in a cohesive unit, they create a bond with these men and women that is unbreakable. The next thing, they are in the outside civilian world where no one cares about the "bond" or "brotherhood". This leads to "unemployment" "depression" and even the unthinkable 22 suicides a day.
There are many grassroots veteran organizations out there that are trying to cater to these same veterans, trying to reconnect, and trying to recreate the bond. Some of these organizations are
rallypoint, Warrior Pointe Inc, Battle In Distress. Even some humor facebook pages such as Awesome Sh*t My Drill Sergeant Said.
My question is this: How can a man of your stature get more involved, and get more prominent military leaders to get involved in these organizations to help the veteran community? z
How can the organization Warrior Pointe inc. (http://www.warriorpointe.org) contact someone to plug a representative in major military installations during out processing to let these individuals know that there are organizations out there to help them?
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Brig Gen John Michel
Thank you for your honest, transparent, Heart felt insight and question. First, I do agree the adjustment for some members is very difficult as expectations of what is understood as true teamwork is often more difficult to find in a hyper-competitive market place.
That said, I do believe many people wantbtonhelp and we service members...regardless of how long we wore the uniform...have a particular responsibility to assist others integrate successfully. For me personally, I have committed to actively serving on two boards: the center for American Values and VETS in NYC (of whixh I am the Chair). Please see this recent article as a demonstration of commitment to the important cause you espouse:
http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2015/06/dallas-retired-air-force-officer-to-help-expand-job-training-program-for-veterans.html/
Thanks for your passion and dedication.
That said, I do believe many people wantbtonhelp and we service members...regardless of how long we wore the uniform...have a particular responsibility to assist others integrate successfully. For me personally, I have committed to actively serving on two boards: the center for American Values and VETS in NYC (of whixh I am the Chair). Please see this recent article as a demonstration of commitment to the important cause you espouse:
http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2015/06/dallas-retired-air-force-officer-to-help-expand-job-training-program-for-veterans.html/
Thanks for your passion and dedication.
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Brig Gen John Michel - It is a known fact as you have pointed out in your writing that positive leadership can and will lead to positive results. Often when on the battlefield having someone that is calm and as collected as one can be with bullets flying close to your head has made a difference in that unit's success. A prime example I've used to COL Chamberlin during the Battle of Gettysburg while defending Little Round Top. Never once, even has men were running out of rounds did he say the fight was over. Rather as you know, he shifted his battle plan and lead his unit to a successful defense of the far end of the Union line.
Now as a Veteran, I find myself trying to maintain a positive atmosphere about what we are facing. Sure we can focus on what is broken but what do you feel looking back at all your experiences can Veterans do to take this positive leadership into their local community to end some of the negativity that surrounds Veterans' issues?
Now as a Veteran, I find myself trying to maintain a positive atmosphere about what we are facing. Sure we can focus on what is broken but what do you feel looking back at all your experiences can Veterans do to take this positive leadership into their local community to end some of the negativity that surrounds Veterans' issues?
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Brig Gen John Michel
Absolutely get involved in areas where Vets don't usually show up...chamber of commerce, school boards, PTA, etc. America is starved for positive leadership examples and they trust and admire military members. We should all strive to wield that privilege broadly.
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Sir,
I was stationed in Grand Forks when you were the Wing Commander. The one thing that I found impressive was your implementation of PDP. Do you know if this program is available for other bases?
I was stationed in Grand Forks when you were the Wing Commander. The one thing that I found impressive was your implementation of PDP. Do you know if this program is available for other bases?
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Brig Gen John Michel
Unfortunately it is not being used broadly. I use t now in the business world and still am on mission to purchase the company and proliferate its use/understanding. Thanks for the kind words.
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General Michel, Do you see a considerable need for more aviation English training in Afghanistan and elsewhere? If so, will the Air Force take a more active roll in providing that training through contractors?
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Brig Gen John Michel
I actually do not. What I found in Afghanistan is that English became a huge barrier to progress...so we aligned language requirements to reality; meaning, we developed English language skills when and where appropriate and provided parallel path opportunities to augment our contractor led training with other outlets such as integrated unit training...essentially allowing English language to become a life cycle development Effort vice a barrier to participation.
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Maj Michael Whitehead
I appreciate the practical approach the Air Force has taken towards language development for the AAF, no doubt due in part, to your leadership. Thank you very much for you insight on this issue.
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