As I have mentioned before I am coaching an Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team of 3rd, 4th and 6th graders from my daughter's Elementary School. This past weekend, the Thomas Jefferson High School OM Team hosted a Spontaneous Problem Tournament. For those of you unfamiliar with OM, a Spontaneous Problem is one where the team get a problem. They have 2-4 minutes to think about it and work out a solution and then 2-4 minutes to execute. As you can image, a lot can go wrong in 4-8 minutes when dealing with Elementary grade kids. I am happy to report that nothing bad happened to our team. In fact the kids did much better than I anticipated. When we did practices at my house, some of the kids had a tendency to freeze under the pressure. None of them even flinched during the real deal. They worked together, remembered the lessons that they learned during practice, were creative and had fun. I was so very proud of them. Additionally, at least one parent from each kid stopped by and saw what they are doing. I think that some of them were amazed at how well there children did also.
I have always been interested in teaching. Experiences like this just strengthen that desire. Unfortunately my big drawback is the pay. I know that I am not going to get rich in the military and enjoying my job is very important to me. I know that teaching would be very rewarding, but I don't know how I can take a teaching job knowing that I've got two kids to put through college. I can already see how hard it is going to be when I leave the Air Force. I don't want to have to become and adult and figure out what I want to be when I grow up!!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Book Review
I recently finished One Day Too Long: Top Secret Site 85 and the Bombing of North Vietnam. It was from the Chief of Staff Air Force's Reading List. I have read many book off of these lists over the years. I have enjoyed most of them and found them very helpful for my professional development. This book was different in some ways.
It is an amazing story. In summary, the US was desperate to hit North Vietnam, but the weather did not cooperate much of the time. They modified some radar equipment that would allow F-105 Thuds to bomb through the weather. This program was very secret not only due the nature of the equipment, but the fact that the equipment was located in Laos, a "neutral" country at the time. They got the equipment set up and operating, but it never really had a big difference against North Vietnam. They used it extensively to bomb Laos though. The North Vietnamese more or less controlled the surrounding area and decided to "take care" of the facility. Due to bravado, poor strategy, a fouled-up management set-up and a general disinterest in human life, the US did not evacuate the site in time and there were many Americans there when the North Vietnamese overran it. These Americans fought bravely with little to no training. The Army, AF and Air America pilots flew courageous missions to rescue as many as they could.
If this were the end of the story, it may have been a lesson in mistaken Strategy and poor tactical planning, but the story does not end. For the next twenty years, the Air Force tried to keep the entire story a secret and roll over the families of those that died there. It is a tragic tale of basic cold heartedness. I understand that sometime secrets need to be kept. I also understand that when a Serviceman/Servicewoman dies, we owe it to him/her to take care of the family left behind. In this case we did not.
It is because of this second half of the story that I wonder why the CSAF put it on his reading list. I am not sure what lesson I am supposed to take away from this book. I am not sure how it relates to what is happening in today's Air Force.
Additionally, the writing isn't that great either. It is very well researched, but the book digresses to an "I'm right and they are wrong" position piece toward the end.
It is fitting that a book is written to tell the story of these brave Airman and their tragic end. I am just not sure that it belongs on the CSAF reading list.
It is an amazing story. In summary, the US was desperate to hit North Vietnam, but the weather did not cooperate much of the time. They modified some radar equipment that would allow F-105 Thuds to bomb through the weather. This program was very secret not only due the nature of the equipment, but the fact that the equipment was located in Laos, a "neutral" country at the time. They got the equipment set up and operating, but it never really had a big difference against North Vietnam. They used it extensively to bomb Laos though. The North Vietnamese more or less controlled the surrounding area and decided to "take care" of the facility. Due to bravado, poor strategy, a fouled-up management set-up and a general disinterest in human life, the US did not evacuate the site in time and there were many Americans there when the North Vietnamese overran it. These Americans fought bravely with little to no training. The Army, AF and Air America pilots flew courageous missions to rescue as many as they could.
If this were the end of the story, it may have been a lesson in mistaken Strategy and poor tactical planning, but the story does not end. For the next twenty years, the Air Force tried to keep the entire story a secret and roll over the families of those that died there. It is a tragic tale of basic cold heartedness. I understand that sometime secrets need to be kept. I also understand that when a Serviceman/Servicewoman dies, we owe it to him/her to take care of the family left behind. In this case we did not.
It is because of this second half of the story that I wonder why the CSAF put it on his reading list. I am not sure what lesson I am supposed to take away from this book. I am not sure how it relates to what is happening in today's Air Force.
Additionally, the writing isn't that great either. It is very well researched, but the book digresses to an "I'm right and they are wrong" position piece toward the end.
It is fitting that a book is written to tell the story of these brave Airman and their tragic end. I am just not sure that it belongs on the CSAF reading list.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Visit to Charlottesville
I recently took a trip to Charlottesville, VA and I want to cover three topic. First, a visit to Montpelier, home of James Madison (and a little about him). Second, a visit to Ash Lawn- Highland, home of James Monroe (and a little bit about him). Third, some observations about our country's founding fathers, where they hailed from and their philosophies of founding a nation.
First Montpelier. It is absolutely stunning! The house is being restored back to its 1820 grandeur. The grounds are beautiful. The Visitor Center is less than two years old and very well put together. The tour of the house was very personal (we went in Jan and there was only one other family on the tour...no guarantees in the summer). They had one of the rooms "cut away" so that you can see how it is made and how it is restored - very interesting. The house used to belong to the DuPont's. When the last DuPont resident died, they turned it back into the historic sight it is today. They did major demo and restoration to get it into the shape it is currently in, with lots of work ahead. The Visitor Center and tour kept touting Madison as the "Father of the Constitution". Although his involvement with the constitution is well documented, it may be difficult to call him the "Father". Additionally, they glossed over some of the lesser parts of his Presidency - like the War of 1812 when he was duped by the French into fighting and almost lost the Union. There is a significant amount of information and relics associated with Dolley as well. Quite a woman for then and today. Overall, well worth the visit!
Second, Ash Lawn-Highland. Not nearly as stunning as Montpelier, but equally as interesting. Madison inherited his land and house from several generations back. Monroe bought Ash Lawn and built his own house (without going bankrupt like his neighbor Jefferson). There is no Visitor Center to speak of and tour is a Machine Gun of facts about Monroe, his wife and life. The house has some originals, but many items are "era" pieces designed to give you the right impression. The day we were visiting "Col Monroe" himself was there to greet us. He did a great job discussing various parts of his life and was very knowledgeable. More impressive, he did a great job of relating thinks from his time to today's situation in the US without breaking character - even the kids were impressed. They also had a presentation on Civil Rights 1776-Present. It was an ok overview that again the kids seemed to appreciate. Finally, there was an interesting demonstration in the kitchen cooking over an open fireplace. Although the visit was interesting, there was as sense of "see this an then move on" - you couldn't just stand and check things out. Once again, I am impressed by President Monroe. An orphan and self made man. He truly fought in the Revolutionary War taking a Hessian ball in the shoulder during the Battle of Trenton and eventually becoming President. Throughout the years we should have more closely followed the Monroe Doctrine and it may have kept us out of trouble. Again well worth the visit.
My third thought of the post. I was in Iraq this summer and did not get to watch the John Adams series then. I got it for my birthday and am on Episode 5 of 7. I did read the book while I was deployed. I find it somewhat interesting that John Adams who was raised on the Puritan work ethic was very concerned about the esoteric portion of establishing a new Nation (what to call the President, should we have political parties, etc.). The Virginia Founding Fathers were mostly "Liberal in thought" and true land owning gentry, but were more concerned about making th new Nation work (Treaty with England, central bank, etc.). Of course I am generalizing on both sides, but is seem interesting that there roles are reversed of what they seemed that they should have been. I suppose it takes all sort which is what our History has taught us. All just some observations right or wrong.
First Montpelier. It is absolutely stunning! The house is being restored back to its 1820 grandeur. The grounds are beautiful. The Visitor Center is less than two years old and very well put together. The tour of the house was very personal (we went in Jan and there was only one other family on the tour...no guarantees in the summer). They had one of the rooms "cut away" so that you can see how it is made and how it is restored - very interesting. The house used to belong to the DuPont's. When the last DuPont resident died, they turned it back into the historic sight it is today. They did major demo and restoration to get it into the shape it is currently in, with lots of work ahead. The Visitor Center and tour kept touting Madison as the "Father of the Constitution". Although his involvement with the constitution is well documented, it may be difficult to call him the "Father". Additionally, they glossed over some of the lesser parts of his Presidency - like the War of 1812 when he was duped by the French into fighting and almost lost the Union. There is a significant amount of information and relics associated with Dolley as well. Quite a woman for then and today. Overall, well worth the visit!
Second, Ash Lawn-Highland. Not nearly as stunning as Montpelier, but equally as interesting. Madison inherited his land and house from several generations back. Monroe bought Ash Lawn and built his own house (without going bankrupt like his neighbor Jefferson). There is no Visitor Center to speak of and tour is a Machine Gun of facts about Monroe, his wife and life. The house has some originals, but many items are "era" pieces designed to give you the right impression. The day we were visiting "Col Monroe" himself was there to greet us. He did a great job discussing various parts of his life and was very knowledgeable. More impressive, he did a great job of relating thinks from his time to today's situation in the US without breaking character - even the kids were impressed. They also had a presentation on Civil Rights 1776-Present. It was an ok overview that again the kids seemed to appreciate. Finally, there was an interesting demonstration in the kitchen cooking over an open fireplace. Although the visit was interesting, there was as sense of "see this an then move on" - you couldn't just stand and check things out. Once again, I am impressed by President Monroe. An orphan and self made man. He truly fought in the Revolutionary War taking a Hessian ball in the shoulder during the Battle of Trenton and eventually becoming President. Throughout the years we should have more closely followed the Monroe Doctrine and it may have kept us out of trouble. Again well worth the visit.
My third thought of the post. I was in Iraq this summer and did not get to watch the John Adams series then. I got it for my birthday and am on Episode 5 of 7. I did read the book while I was deployed. I find it somewhat interesting that John Adams who was raised on the Puritan work ethic was very concerned about the esoteric portion of establishing a new Nation (what to call the President, should we have political parties, etc.). The Virginia Founding Fathers were mostly "Liberal in thought" and true land owning gentry, but were more concerned about making th new Nation work (Treaty with England, central bank, etc.). Of course I am generalizing on both sides, but is seem interesting that there roles are reversed of what they seemed that they should have been. I suppose it takes all sort which is what our History has taught us. All just some observations right or wrong.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
White House Web Site
Sorry for the double post in one day, but I just looked at the new White House Web site and I am very impressed. I guess it was up almost immediately after President Obama was sworn in.
This seems to already be a much different administration. This should be very interesting if he is able to keep this inertia up.
This seems to already be a much different administration. This should be very interesting if he is able to keep this inertia up.
President Obama's Inauguration
I just listened to President Obama Inaugural speech. I do not remember a past Inauguration that had such widespread crowds and interest. It maybe my geographic closeness to this Inauguration versus past one, but I don't remember one that had more hype around it.
I do feel a sense of optimism from President Obama. I also feel a sense of risk and uncertainty. I am not sure that these feelings are tied together or not. In the last two inaugurations for President Bush, I felt neither a strong sense of optimism or uncertainty. Maybe these feelings of optimism and uncertainty do go hand-in-hand. Can you have one without the other? Can you have contentment with optimism?
I do know that this is a historic event and as an Air Force Officer I look forward to the future of a strong, free United States through his and future Presidential leadership.
I do feel a sense of optimism from President Obama. I also feel a sense of risk and uncertainty. I am not sure that these feelings are tied together or not. In the last two inaugurations for President Bush, I felt neither a strong sense of optimism or uncertainty. Maybe these feelings of optimism and uncertainty do go hand-in-hand. Can you have one without the other? Can you have contentment with optimism?
I do know that this is a historic event and as an Air Force Officer I look forward to the future of a strong, free United States through his and future Presidential leadership.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
What is in a name like Moses?
I just finished reading the Book "Who Wrote the Bible" by Richard Friedman. It was a very interesting read. Do not think that it is an anti-religious, Bible debunking book. It is not. It really helped me understand the book and where it came from. It actually increased my respect and interest in the Bible.
I was always brought up that Moses wrote the Bible as it was dictated by God to him. This Moses guys was something else. In fact at the end of the Torah, it states that there will never be another like him to reiterate this point. One of the big Moses questions that I have is this. Why did God not change his name? For all of the previous forefather, when God makes a covenant with someone or they commit their lives to him, he changes his name e.g. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, etc, but here comes the biggest Prophet of all time and he gets to keep his name. A name that is not even Hebrew, but Egyptian. The Talmud alludes to some stories that there were previous predictions that Moses would come along and free the Jews and lead them to Israel. These predictions do not give any names (one of the big critique of Christianity's use of the Jewish Bible to predict Jesus as the Messiah).
If anyone has any insight into this mystery about Moses, I would welcome the feedback.
I was always brought up that Moses wrote the Bible as it was dictated by God to him. This Moses guys was something else. In fact at the end of the Torah, it states that there will never be another like him to reiterate this point. One of the big Moses questions that I have is this. Why did God not change his name? For all of the previous forefather, when God makes a covenant with someone or they commit their lives to him, he changes his name e.g. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, etc, but here comes the biggest Prophet of all time and he gets to keep his name. A name that is not even Hebrew, but Egyptian. The Talmud alludes to some stories that there were previous predictions that Moses would come along and free the Jews and lead them to Israel. These predictions do not give any names (one of the big critique of Christianity's use of the Jewish Bible to predict Jesus as the Messiah).
If anyone has any insight into this mystery about Moses, I would welcome the feedback.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Odyssey of the Mind
In my "free" time I am coaching a team of 7 elementary school kids (3rd - 6th Grade) for an Odyssey of the Mind team. It is pretty cool to see how they learn and work through problems. The big thing is that I or any other adult cannot give them any answers to how to solve the problems. We can answer their questions. We have a lot of Socratic discussion and even if they don't find there way to the solution that I had in mind, they do find a solution.
We are building an 8" tall tower out of balsa wood and we are going to drop weights on it. It should be fun. I will post pictures when we actually do it in Mar.
We are building an 8" tall tower out of balsa wood and we are going to drop weights on it. It should be fun. I will post pictures when we actually do it in Mar.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Air Force Evaluation System
Today at work we got to talking about how the Air Force evaluation system is inflated and has been since early memory. This inflation impacts so many other processes in the Air Force -- awards, promotions, assignments, etc.
Fundamentally this inflation problem comes down to an integrity issue. True integrity would drive people to evaluate individuals honestly. Not everyone is a Five every year for every assignment. We should expect people to have lower performance as they change jobs or move up in rank until they learn what they are supposed to be doing, but we don't do that. Those that have had high marks in the past tend to keep getting high marks so that we "don't ruin their career." This drives more inflation.
In order to fix this, we need a CSAF to step into every process and force some sanity. He or she needs to say that a medium performer is ok -- this person is potentially in need of leadership to make them better.
I have seen throughout my career people we were "low performers" flourish under the right leadership and right environment. The challenge it to get these people into these positions.
At the end of the conversation, we did come to the conclusion that despite all of these warts the system does pretty well. It promotes those that should be promoted and passes over that shouldn't. There are, of course, exceptions, but only a small percentage. So do we need the kind of drastic measures to fix the system if the end product is just fine? I would say that unless things get much worse, the time and energy as better spent on other areas in the Air Force. Which is another Blog entry waiting to be written.
Fundamentally this inflation problem comes down to an integrity issue. True integrity would drive people to evaluate individuals honestly. Not everyone is a Five every year for every assignment. We should expect people to have lower performance as they change jobs or move up in rank until they learn what they are supposed to be doing, but we don't do that. Those that have had high marks in the past tend to keep getting high marks so that we "don't ruin their career." This drives more inflation.
In order to fix this, we need a CSAF to step into every process and force some sanity. He or she needs to say that a medium performer is ok -- this person is potentially in need of leadership to make them better.
I have seen throughout my career people we were "low performers" flourish under the right leadership and right environment. The challenge it to get these people into these positions.
At the end of the conversation, we did come to the conclusion that despite all of these warts the system does pretty well. It promotes those that should be promoted and passes over that shouldn't. There are, of course, exceptions, but only a small percentage. So do we need the kind of drastic measures to fix the system if the end product is just fine? I would say that unless things get much worse, the time and energy as better spent on other areas in the Air Force. Which is another Blog entry waiting to be written.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Inital Entry and Background
This is my first attempt at a Blog. I have been thinking about it for quite some time, but finally got around to setting one up. Of course my main concerns is whether I have something to say that others will care about. I finally realized that I was going to do this to start to collect some of the thoughts that I have had floating around inside my head for a while and I will see where it goes.
A little background about me which may be pertinent to this Blog. I am a a married father of two. I am an Air Force Officer with over 19 years in service and I am Jewish. Why do I chose to include this information? Well, I think that it is pertinent and most of my initial entries will be focused on one of these areas.
I will be back in a few days with my first real entry.
A little background about me which may be pertinent to this Blog. I am a a married father of two. I am an Air Force Officer with over 19 years in service and I am Jewish. Why do I chose to include this information? Well, I think that it is pertinent and most of my initial entries will be focused on one of these areas.
I will be back in a few days with my first real entry.
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