Through chapters penned by thirteen individual instructors in the U.S. Air Force's Leader Development Course, Badges of Honor weaves together a tapestry of moving narratives that capture the most challenging lessons of each unique career. These distinct and diverse voices offer insights into what successful military leadership requires, lessons learned as often from bad mistakes as from big wins, each culminating in moments of deep personal growth.
Hear from officers and senior NCOs in aviation, weapons systems, support operations, medicine, psychology, deaconry, intelligence, command, maintenance, engineering, public affairs, edu- cation, and more, as they juggle the personal alongside the professional to navigate one of the most sprawling and dynamic organizations in history. For civilians as well as warriors, this collection of stories of triumph and mirth, defeat and tribulation-stories of the head, heart, and hand-will send your spirit soaring like a fighter jet and deliver it safely to the ground. John Hinck serves as the Assistant Professor of Leadership for the USAF's Leadership Institute, Air War College, and the Eaker Center for Leadership Development. With more than twenty-two years of serving as a combat leader, Colonel, and Apache Longbow pilot, John served with distinction in Korea, Germany, Bosnia, Albania, Iraq, and Afghanistan and commanded Army recruiting in the upper Midwest, the 3-214th Aviation Regiment, and TF ODIN-A in Afghanistan. After military service, John received his PhD in leadership studies from the University of San Diego and is a nationally board-certified coach specializing in executive leadership and leadership development. Through his teaching, research, consulting, and coaching, John has influenced thousands to make a difference in life and to lead and live with strength and honor. Highs and lows, joy and sorrow, and so much more. Powerful stories, both individually and collectively, about learning to lead, taking a stand, and making a difference. A wonderful primer for aspiring leaders. Badges of Honor reinforced my belief that the best leaders bring out the best in others and create an environment where their teams can succeed. These stories offer riveting examples of challenges faced by leaders of all organizations — big, small, military, non-military, US or international — and the principled way these stellar leaders overcame them. As I read their narratives I was inextricably drawn into my own experiences and graded their reactions against my own, I often found myself deficient in comparison. The leadership lessons they offer at the conclusion of their stories are gold. Some of them I'd already learned (the hard way), there are many others which will make me a better leader in the future." Stories in this book are indeed powerful. But this book goes deeper than the personal story. It reveals leadership lessons from the research and teachings of US Air Force leaders who are vulnerable in sharing their personal experiences for the benefit of all whom they teach and serve for the greater good. It not only inspires, it enriches our understanding of leadership.
