COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Maj. Gen. Richard Perraut Jr., U.S. Air Force retired, was the guest speaker for the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 16-09 graduation ceremony here May 20.
Before highlighting in depth five pieces of advice every officer and pilot should be using, he reminisced about his career as a pilot.
“I remember when I graduated pilot training,” Perraut said, “…in Class 78-06. And although it seems like just yesterday, I sometimes wonder.”
Afterward he turned his attention to the graduating class.
“‘Air Force pilot,’ sounds good doesn’t it? Does it feel good? Does it feel like you’ve accomplished something significant,” Perraut said. “Well you have, you have completed a premier pilot training course, a course that several international air chiefs even seek to send their pilots to … because of its reputation of excellence.”
Perraut gave the audience some Air Force history and spoke of the importance of perspective before delving into the five things he felt helped him grow from a second lieutenant to a major general.
1. Attitude is Important
“Put yourself in the role of a command and ask yourself who you would want working for you,” Perraut said. “Your attitude is your choice. Your attitude determines how you will react to a situation with conditions around you. Most importantly, your attitude is a reflection of you.”
In the Vietnam War, a common theme among Prisoners of War when many were saved was how their good attitudes kept them going day after day, month after month, year after year despite being tortured and far from home, Perraut explained. Your attitude is a direct reflection of you and Airmen will mirror the one you display.
2. Bloom where planted
“Focus on learning your job, your role as a pilot, your weapons systems, and your organization,” Perraut said. “Become an expert in your field. Become the person everyone seeks out for advice. Become the one everyone seeks out when they need someone they can depend on.”
Perraut mentioned the best way to achieve this is to seek out others with experience and learn from them. Making mistakes is a given just learn from them. And don’t forget education is important for overall development.
He then told a summarized story of Pardo’s Push stating it was their expertise that saved their lives.
3. Develop your leadership skills
“Most company grade officers think their leadership can only be developed in the unit’s organizational construct or in other words, being a commander,” Perraut stated. “Leadership opportunities are found where you least expect them. Volunteer to be a project officer. Get involved … there are a thousand things you can do to help you grow and learn about our great Air Force.”
He also talked about learning from leadership past and present. He used the opportunity to speak about President Abraham Lincoln and Gen. Colin Powell and how their leadership affected him.
4. Treat others like you want to be treated
“Officers, enlisted, civilians, and contractors; we are all people, we all have wants, concerns, desires, needs, problems and goals,” Perraut said. “Never ask anyone to do something you’re not willing to do yourself. Treat everyone fairly, and with respect and dignity because you never know who that person is.”
As an example, Perraut spoke of an instance when a dorm janitor one of his Airmen knew turned out to have a medal of honor.
5. Find a Senior NCO to learn about the Enlisted Corps
“When I was a cadet, I was given the same kind of advice,” Perraut said. “Confide in them that you don’t know everything there is about the enlisted corps. Ask if they wouldn’t mind answering your questions and helping you to understand.”
Perraut mentioned he remembers all the great senior NCOs that helped him along his way and even listed many by name.
“I could sit here all day and talk about leadership, teamwork, vision, and give you some war stories,” Perraut said, “but I’m the only thing here standing between you and those well-deserved silver wings.”
He then summarized his advice.
“In about 25 years, I hope some of you will be at this podium wearing stars and sharing your advice and insights to the future young officers who are not even born yet,” Perraut said. “I’m excited for each of you and glad to have you on our Air Force and Joint Forces team. I look forward to you defending our great nation and leading our service. And as the saying goes, ‘I will sleep well tonight knowing our Air Force is alert.’”