Scott Fox

Ep 329: Grit and Mental Preparation for Air Force Special Warfare https://lnkd.in/gJnSH4kW Aaron Love Trenton Seegmiller We often get asked, "What is grit, and how will I be evaluated on that attribute at the Air Force Special Warfare Assessment and Selection, or A&S, course? How do I prepare?" Well, we got you. Grit, mental fortitude, or the willingness to continue in the face of uncertainty can *most certainly* be trained and built. In this enlightening conversation, Aaron and Peach delve into the significance of mental fortitude and the means to bolster the mind before embarking on the pipeline journey. They stress the importance of honoring commitments and persevering through discomfort. They also highlight the power of reshaping one's mindset and embracing the identity of a person who follows through without making excuses. Additionally, they discuss the value of self-regulation, managing reactions, and maintaining emotional balance. They place emphasis on the concept of reach-back moments, both physically and mentally, as crucial preparation for the challenges ahead. Jared and Aaron also underscore the significance of mental fortitude and its cultivation. They emphasize the need for resilience and the capacity to surmount obstacles. They expound on the idea of drawing strength from past experiences during reach-back moments to navigate adversity. Furthermore, they advocate for dependability, fulfilling commitments, and prioritizing others. They underscore the importance of mental preparedness and being comfortable with starting from the bottom. Overall, they offer valuable insights and strategies for fortifying the mind. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Call to Action 01:03 Building Mental Fortitude: Follow Through and Finish What You Start 06:19 Self-Regulation: Managing Reactions and Avoiding Extremes 09:06 Avoiding Catastrophizing and Focusing on Priorities 13:43 Recognizing Situations and Self-Regulating Emotional Responses 23:31 Managing Road Rage and Reaching Back to Past Experiences 28:41 Building Mental Fortitude 31:06 The Power of Reach Back Moments 35:01 Dependability and Commitment 38:46 Selflessness and Teamwork 46:11 The Importance of Mental Preparation 50:03 Starting at the Bottom Join this channel to get access to perks: https://lnkd.in/gFWiye3b

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Ladies and Gentlemen, Those of you who attended United States Army Human Resources Command's Conversation With Industry Event (#CWI2024) a few weeks ago got the opportunity to hear Major General Tom Drew describe his "Moonshots". What are the big, audacious goals that he wants to solve over the coming years. These don't represent concrete requirements but are more "themes" that we want help thinking about. There are better ways for us to: ☑ See the Army - We have to find a better way to model inventory against requirements and better assess those joining the Army. ☑ See the Solider - Today we equate Skill and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). A Soldier is more than their rank and job title. How do we differenctiate the skills and map strengths to Army needs and Soldier preferences. ☑ See the Future - How do we forecast needs 5 years from now and provide a new level of predictability. How do we model that forecast and assess the impact on future readiness. If you weren't able to attend or you lost your notes from the event and you want to know what is keeping senior leaders awake, take a look at the graphic Maria Rice McClure from the HRC Public Affairs Team made to summarize the goals. Patricia Bourgeois Houchin | Christopher Ruga | Kris Saling | Greg Johnson | The Adjutant General Directorate | Karl Anderson | Guy Timberlake | Dolores Kuchina-Musina, Ph.D. | Raj Sharma | Becky Weirick |

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In reflecting on the qualities that make exceptional managers, I can't help but draw from my own experiences as a Marine Corps Sergeant. The skills forged in service—leadership, resilience, and adaptability—have a profound impact on shaping effective leaders in any setting. 🔹 Leadership: In the Marine Corps, leadership isn't just a role; it's a commitment to the well-being and success of your team. Guiding diverse groups through challenging missions instills a sense of responsibility and decisiveness that translates seamlessly into civilian leadership roles. 🔹 Resilience: Marines are trained to thrive under pressure, making split-second decisions in high-stakes environments. This resilience fosters a mindset where obstacles are seen as opportunities for growth and innovation. 🔹 Adaptability: Whether in combat or in the boardroom, adaptability is key. Marine Corps training prepares individuals to pivot strategies, overcome obstacles, and achieve objectives despite evolving circumstances. The transition from military service to civilian management is not just a career change but a continuation of a commitment to excellence and service. I am excited about the opportunity to bring these invaluable skills to a new role where I can drive team success and contribute to organizational growth. #Leadership #Management #VeteransInBusiness #Resilience #Adaptability #TeamSuccess

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The poison of popularity. This article’s talks about the dangers of pursuing being liked over making hard decision or difficult conversations. It applies outside of the military also. https://lnkd.in/gAgyK4eh

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🚨 Exciting SBIR/STTR Opportunity with the Air Force! 🚨 Next week, the Air Force is set to announce their Phase I SBIR/STTR Open Topic. This is a fantastic chance to enter or expand your involvement in the Air Force R&D community. Whether you're new to the program or exploring a new innovation, OMIC is here to help! As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, OMIC is seeking companies interested in partnering on these opportunities. The Air Force, the largest participant in the SBIR program, has revamped their schedule—Phase I Open Topics will now occur just once a year, so don't let this opportunity slip by! Read more about these strategic improvements here: 🔗 AFRL Open Topic Program Updates: https://lnkd.in/d-EUVwU2 At OMIC, we offer FREE professional coaching on proposal efforts for partner companies. Our team has a proven track record of increasing P-Win odds. Interested? Contact OMIC today! We also recommend signing up for APEX’s "Pre-Award Cohort" to learn more about constructing a winning proposal for the Air Force Open Topic: 🔗 APEX Pre-Award Cohort: https://lnkd.in/eN-u3zWi Stay tuned for future announcements on open RFPs from the five largest agencies in the SBIR/STTR program. OMIC makes an excellent and easy partner for STTRs or a subcontractor for SBIRs. #OMIC #AirForce #SBIR #STTR #Innovation #ProposalSupport #TechOpportunities #Afwerks

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As we close out another incredible year, Soul Survivor Outdoor is excited to share our Year-End Update Video—a look back at the lives changed, the challenges met, and the mission that continues to grow stronger every day. 🎥 Through the healing power of outdoor adventure, we've had the honor of supporting active-duty military members, helping them build spiritual strength and resilience. But this is just the beginning. We believe that everyone deserves to know about the work we’re doing and the powerful impact it has on those who selflessly serve our nation. That’s where YOU come in! 💪 Here’s how you can help: 1️⃣ Watch the video – Get inspired by the stories and the mission in action. 2️⃣ Share it – Spread the word by posting the video on your own social media or sharing it with your network. 3️⃣ Join the movement – Whether by donating, volunteering, or simply cheering us on, every bit of support helps us grow and serve more. 🎯 Together, we can ensure that no servicemember is left behind. Check out the video and let’s celebrate the difference we’re making, while gearing up for an even greater impact in the year ahead. #SoulSurvivorOutdoor #SupportOurMilitary #YearEndUpdate #OutdoorHealing #SpreadTheWord

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A team effort, our latest in Marine Corps Gazette, and the winner of this year's Hogaboom #Leadership #Writing Contest! Christopher Denzel, Dennis Dunbar, Cory Frederick, and myself co-authored this article on #collegial leadership. Leadership style are many and varied. Some are more appropriate for different people, and for different occasions. But we generally associate leading in the #MarineCorps with #command, and expectations for how #commanders should lead. The fact of the matter is, most Marine officers will spend only a heartbeat of their careers in command. Most will command briefly, and only while captains. Over the course of a career, you are usually in a staff position, and must lead while working alongside teams over which you have little authority. If this is the case, how can we optimize our leadership style for these jobs? Chris, Dennis, Cory, and myself got an awful lot of experience doing this as Operational Planning Team (OPT) leaders during our 0505 payback tours, working with OPT's at the MSC, MEF, MARFOR, and CCDR levels, and in joint, multinational and interagency environments. We learned how to serve as #collegial leaders, how to set conditions to create collaborative environments where we can distill the most useful efforts out of a motley crew of varied personalities, while under a time constraint, and still achieve our commander's intent and deliver the right work on behalf of an executive leader - despite having no real authority over the individuals involved. This article discusses some of the insights we gained during that time, and hope it can help others succeed as well. Give it a look! #PME #WriteFightWin #ReadFightWin

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Veterans are a valuable asset to any organization, bringing a wealth of skills and experience to the civilian workforce. Here are key advantages for companies recruiting veterans: - **Leadership and Teamwork:** Veterans are trained leaders adept at working within diverse teams, even in high-pressure environments. - **Adaptability:** Military personnel excel at swiftly adapting to new challenges, making them ideal for dynamic industries. - **Discipline and Work Ethic:** Veterans are known for their strong work ethic, dedication, and discipline—qualities that ensure consistency and excellence at work. - **Problem-Solving Skills:** Veterans are adept at critical thinking and efficient problem-solving, even in complex situations, making them valuable in project management roles. - **Diverse Skill Set:** Veterans possess a broad range of technical and soft skills, from logistics to project management, that are transferable across various civilian roles. Hiring veterans not only enriches your team but also brings unique perspectives and proven leadership to your organization. #VeteranHiring #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion

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🔥What is HOPE? HOPE is an Air Force program which trains and certifies Airmen with a Special Experience Identifier (SEI) or an Experience Set (ES) to be HOPE Providers in their squadron.  HOPE Providers are embedded in their unit, looking for those that need them the most.  They help others amid personal and peer-to-peer crisis.  HOPE Providers help Airmen find the support they need, serving as a bridge for your wingmen to the care they need. The intent of this initiative, is to produce Airmen who improve the resiliency of their unit with GRIT, courage, resolve; and strength of character In this video, I answer the second question of three on how HOPE supports our Airmen, Squadrons and Wing at each base. #HOPE, #SuicidePrevention, #GRIT, #Resilency 🔥Clink Link Below👇 HOPE Providers are lifelines. HOPE Providers are life-lines.

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For this #ThrowbackThursday, I'm sharing an article I wrote three years ago in the U.S. Army War College online journal, War Room. It's on charismatic leadership and military cultism. It's a short read, check it out! Link: https://lnkd.in/eF2C7NCx #USArmy #LeadershipMatters #CharismaticLeadership #Cultism

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POP-TARTS or HOLISTIC approach to developing Airmen? Below is an article written by Ch Eddy Sanders, who is on my team, it focuses on a Holistic teaching approach to develop Airmen that we use at Sheppard AFB. 🔥The initiative is Airmanship 200 - produced with a Comprehensive Airmen Fitness mindset. 🔥To develop Mission Ready Airmen - we need them to be Core resilience. 🔥As Eddy states in his article, “If we find ourselves in a high-end fight, we can’t afford to have half our Airmen sent back early, due to personal problems.” 🔥A Holistic approach to training ensures our Airmen have a solid foundation of Grit, Steadfastness and Warrior Spirit. —- The Kind of Airmen that win wars. #Resilience, #Grit, #Warriorspirit

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Thought of the day: After 21 years of leading in the military, I now find myself in the process of transitioning into the civilian world. This shift presents a unique challenge: learning to follow again, to humble myself, and to grow from a new perspective. In the spirit of being open and vulnerable, I recognize that growth often requires us to step outside of our comfort zones and embrace new roles with a sense of humility and openness. Leadership has been my path for over two decades, but now it’s time to embrace the discipline of learning from those around me, understanding different viewpoints, and adapting to a new environment. Stoicism teaches us to control what we can and accept what we cannot. As I navigate this transition, I am focusing on the elements within my control—my willingness to learn, my openness to feedback, and my dedication to personal growth. By adopting a mindset of continuous improvement and acceptance, I aim to make the most of this transformative phase. To those who have also made significant career transitions or are facing similar challenges, I encourage you to embrace humility and view these moments as opportunities for profound personal and professional development. I also welcome anybody to share in their advice, perspectives or experiences. #Transition #Veteran #Leadership #Stoicism #PersonalGrowth #CareerDevelopment #HiringOurHeroes

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I've had the honor of witnessing firsthand the profound impact of effective leadership, especially as outlined in Army FM 6-22. These experiences have reinforced the importance of being grounded in core values and adapting leadership styles to meet the needs of the team and the situation at hand. Army Leadership Fundamentals: Grounded in Army Values and Warrior Ethos: I've learned that embodying values like loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage, along with the Warrior Ethos, forms the bedrock of strong leadership. Competent in Core Competencies: Mastering the essential skills and knowledge required for our roles is not just beneficial—it's necessary. Developing Subordinate Leaders: One of the most rewarding aspects of leadership is investing in the growth and development of others. Culturally Astute: Understanding and respecting cultural differences allows us to navigate the complexities of our environments more effectively. Leadership Styles: Through my journey, I've encountered and practiced various leadership styles, each with its unique advantages: Laissez-faire: Providing tools and resources, then stepping back to let the team work their magic. Servant Leadership: Prioritizing the needs of the team above my own. Coaching: Focusing on professional development and continuous improvement. Transactional Leadership: Motivating through rewards and clear goals. Transformational Leadership: Inspiring and driving growth by setting high expectations. Autocratic: Making decisive choices when necessary. Democratic: Encouraging team participation in decision-making. Bureaucratic: Ensuring adherence to rules and procedures for consistency. Charismatic: Infusing energy and enthusiasm into the team. Situational: Adapting my style to the context and the individuals involved. I've seen the incredible results when leaders are versatile and adaptable. At FRAGO22, we focus on cultivating these leadership qualities. We train leaders to be culturally astute, develop their teams, and navigate operational complexities with agility. Are you ready to transform your leadership and elevate your team? Contact FRAGO22 today to learn how we can help! Visit Frago22.com Stay inspired and lead with excellence! #Leadership #ArmyValues #WarriorEthos #LeadershipStyles #TeamBuilding #FRAGO22 #VeteranTalent #LeadershipDevelopment #TransformationalLeadership #SituationalLeadership

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#Mentorship happens all the time in the United States Marine Corps. This is often voluntary and deliberate, but also spontaneous and incidental. Good #leaders make mentoring their business, and hungry #Marines seek out good guidance from those who've walked the path they seek to walk in the future. But sometimes, mentoring opportunities are few and far between. Perhaps your leaders are from a different occupational field or specialty, and can't offer you the depth of guidance you're looking for. Or perhaps you're in a formation where mentorship opportunities are not as abundant as you'd like. Either way, it is helpful to have another means by which to seek the guidance you need to plan your future. I'm grateful that today's information environment offers a plethora of tools by which mentoring can be achieved. I've fostered more mentor-protoge relationships via social media than I can recall. But still, not every #Marine may have developed networks on platforms like this one by which they can seek out and find the right mentor for them. The below MARADMIN announces the 'Mentors for Marines' pilot. It will test a new way in which Marines can either volunteer to serve as mentors, or seek out mentors who may offer guidance. It's exact form is as yet undetermined, and like most new pilots, it will inevitably demonstrate room for growth and change over time. But if you want to help the Corps develop this mechanism - or perhaps help the Corps determine that this just isn't the right program for mentorship - participation is key. To help the #USMC find the right next steps in providing a viable and organized mentoring platform, sign up to support the pilot today. #LeadFightWin https://lnkd.in/eVyabVD7

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This certainly helps convert military terms to a civilian context.

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Started TAP today to get more familiar on transition services post military service and to get a head start on my eventual retirement from the USAF. Just some thoughts: 👇 🤙 Military transition services emphasize networking as essential for veterans entering civilian life. Building connections within industries of interest opens doors to career opportunities and mentorship. Starting early allows veterans to cultivate relationships, attend networking events, and join professional organizations, enhancing their job prospects and integration into civilian communities. Networking provides invaluable insights into different career paths and helps bridge the gap between military experience and civilian expectations. It's a proactive step towards a successful transition, leveraging relationships to navigate unfamiliar territories and build a supportive network beyond military service.

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The Contingency Location Operations Rehearsal (CLOR) 2024 took place at the Combat Readiness Training Center from June 24 - 28, sending close to 100 Airmen across the country to practice for future deployments. During the CLOR, Airmen focused on implementing the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept through practicing command and control of dispersed force elements in a simulated wartime scenario. The CLOR also presented an opportunity for the United States Air Force to integrate new technologies. Air Combat Command's Agile Battle Laboratory (ABL) organized the operation rehearsal and in partnership with AFWERX Prime and Air Force Research Laboratory, focused on testing developmental electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. “This new class of air vehicles has the ability to revolutionize air transport generally and significantly improve the Air Force’s ability to conduct agile combat employment operations,” said Ian Clowes, AFWERX Prime capability development lead. “The eVTOLs that Agility Prime has been supporting are so radically different from most any other air vehicle, that the most effective way to understand how to use them is to put them in the hands of Airmen with problems to solve.” Read more here: https://ow.ly/ZzNQ50SEyWr . . . #AFWERX #Prime #AgilityPrime #AFRL #USAF #Airmen #DAF #DoD #CLOR #eVTOL #AgileBattleLaboratory #training #airtransport #innovation

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**Executive Presence: Essential Elements and Importance Among Military Leaders** Executive presence is a multifaceted quality that combines gravitas, communication skills, and appearance to create an aura of leadership. Gravitas, the cornerstone of executive presence, involves exuding confidence, decisiveness, and emotional intelligence. Military leaders, in particular, must embody gravitas to inspire trust and respect among their subordinates and peers. This quality enables them to remain composed under pressure, make sound decisions quickly, and demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, all of which are crucial in high-stakes environments. Effective communication is another critical element of executive presence. Military leaders must convey their vision and directives clearly and persuasively to ensure mission success. This includes the ability to listen actively, articulate thoughts succinctly, and adapt their communication style to different audiences. In the military context, where orders need to be understood and executed precisely, strong communication skills foster unity, prevent misunderstandings, and enhance overall operational efficiency. Appearance also plays a significant role in executive presence. For military leaders, maintaining a sharp and professional appearance is not merely about aesthetics but about setting an example for discipline and attention to detail. A leader who is meticulously groomed and well-dressed commands respect and signals to others that they take their role seriously. This visual aspect of executive presence helps to reinforce authority and cultivate a culture of excellence and accountability within the ranks. The importance of executive presence among military leaders cannot be overstated. It directly impacts their ability to lead effectively, inspire confidence, and maintain order and morale. Leaders with strong executive presence are better equipped to handle the complexities and demands of military operations, fostering a cohesive and motivated team. Ultimately, the presence of such leaders ensures that the military remains a formidable and respected institution, capable of achieving its strategic objectives and safeguarding national security.

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