Module 1

John Koeing's speech had several interesting points.  He described how words are created by an individual, but expands into a global presence.  I find that is part of the culture today.  Words or phrases are fads that are transmitted quickly through social media.  Sometimes it is not even words, but acronyms like when he describes the word "o.k."  Some examples that come to mind is YOLO (you only live once) and OMG (oh my god).  The explosion of texting has created new words from phases.  By a simple search of the internet, you will find YOLO is being used as advertisement and the names of products.  All to get the attention of the generation or group that the word is popular with.

 

The other point he makes is how a word can bring emotions.  Resilience is used to motivate and help recover from a tragic event.  The word vacation will bring back happy memories.  If a vacation is planned is generates excitement and can bring positivity.  Death carries emotions about loved ones or can bring someone into deep thought.  However, like Koeing said, words aren’t powerful it is the emotions they generate. 

 

The military has its own language.  Each service, unit, or job has its own language.   Commanders Call is a known phrase throughout the Air Force.  This event gives a commander the opportunity to give out awards, discuss current and future operations, or anything they seem important to bring up.  Most people know this is a mandatory attendance event that may last over hour.  It is also an opportunity to hear from the boss and hear their concerns about the unit.  Exercise is another word that is fluid throughout.  This version of the word means a training simulation that is not often practiced.  Examples are a flight operations surge, launching all aircraft to escape a weather event, or preparing for potential chemical, biological, or nuclear environment.  Others involve working jointly with other aircraft, services, or nations.  Exercises usually include longer working hours or traveling to another location for weeks until the exercise is complete. 

Other words that instilled new cultural norms are words that come from new senior leaders.  The Air Force’s current Chief of Staff is General Charles Brown Jr. and his message for the Air Force is to “Accelerate Change or Lose.”  This phase is now echoed in every decision being made.  Especially when it comes to budget decisions and which program is evolving to meet future requirements and threats.  The military is starting to move for the terrorist threats that kept us occupied in Iraq and Afghanistan, to near peer threats.  The Accelerate Change or Lose is to change our mindset from we have been doing the last 20 years and start looking at possible future engagements.