WEBVTT 00:01.389 --> 00:03.278 The backbone of our force and the 00:03.278 --> 00:05.278 driving power behind our ability to 00:05.278 --> 00:06.833 deliver air security is our 00:06.833 --> 00:09.056 non-commissioned officer corps . As the 00:09.056 --> 00:10.945 character of warfare shifts , our 00:10.945 --> 00:12.945 forces require NCOs who can do more 00:12.945 --> 00:15.056 than just keep up . We need NCOs that 00:15.056 --> 00:17.000 are organized , trained , and well 00:17.000 --> 00:18.500 equipped to lead boldly in 00:18.500 --> 00:20.611 unpredictable environments and at the 00:20.611 --> 00:22.620 speed of relevance . Central to our 00:22.620 --> 00:24.842 success in any future conflict are NCOs 00:24.842 --> 00:27.009 who can endure , engage , and evolve . 00:27.009 --> 00:29.342 Let's talk about what this means for us . 00:29.342 --> 00:31.398 Endurance , it isn't just physical , 00:31.398 --> 00:33.398 it's mental , it's spiritual . It's 00:33.398 --> 00:35.509 knowing how to push through fatigue , 00:35.509 --> 00:37.676 setbacks , and uncertainty and showing 00:37.676 --> 00:39.898 others how to do the same and inspiring 00:39.898 --> 00:41.953 them . Our NCO course stands tall in 00:41.953 --> 00:44.064 our toughest moments when the mission 00:44.064 --> 00:46.231 gets hard , when resources are tight . 00:46.231 --> 00:48.398 When the stress is high , our airmen , 00:48.398 --> 00:50.509 both officers and listed , we turn to 00:50.509 --> 00:52.676 our NCOs and thus we owe them the best 00:52.676 --> 00:54.620 resources and the best training to 00:54.620 --> 00:56.290 maintain our edge . Effective 00:56.290 --> 00:58.346 deterrence requires the capability , 00:58.346 --> 01:00.234 the will , and if necessary , the 01:00.234 --> 01:02.457 ability to fight and win . Our NCOs are 01:02.457 --> 01:04.234 crucial to this engagement . We 01:04.234 --> 01:06.179 strengthen our hand in today's and 01:06.179 --> 01:08.290 tomorrow's battle space when our NCOs 01:08.290 --> 01:10.512 are not only technically proficient and 01:10.512 --> 01:12.734 operationally lethal but also strategic 01:12.734 --> 01:14.401 minded . In order to gain air 01:14.401 --> 01:16.568 superiority , our NCOs must be engaged 01:16.568 --> 01:18.623 at each echelon , as we will rely on 01:18.623 --> 01:20.623 them to ensure airmen are trained , 01:20.623 --> 01:22.970 disciplined , and ready . As we 01:22.970 --> 01:25.137 endeavor to provide current and future 01:25.137 --> 01:27.248 options to command authorities , it's 01:27.248 --> 01:29.248 imperative that we leverage lessons 01:29.248 --> 01:31.303 learned and evolve . Great NCOs know 01:31.303 --> 01:33.637 that if we are stagnant in our approach , 01:33.637 --> 01:35.748 we'll fall behind our competitors and 01:35.748 --> 01:37.859 our adversaries . Our NCOs are key in 01:37.859 --> 01:40.026 identifying gaps before our enemies do 01:40.026 --> 01:42.248 and presenting alternative approaches . 01:42.248 --> 01:44.414 We need them at the table , asking the 01:44.414 --> 01:46.359 toughest questions . How can we be 01:46.359 --> 01:48.414 faster ? How can we be smarter ? How 01:48.414 --> 01:50.581 can we be more effective , and how can 01:50.581 --> 01:52.692 we be more lethal ? It's crucial that 01:52.692 --> 01:54.914 we empower NCOs to challenge the status 01:54.914 --> 01:57.081 quo , to question old tactics , and to 01:57.081 --> 01:59.192 drive innovation from the ground up . 01:59.192 --> 02:01.414 We don't evolve by accident . We evolve 02:01.414 --> 02:03.610 because NCOs think , act , and lead 02:03.610 --> 02:06.529 boldly , endure the challenge , engage 02:06.529 --> 02:08.529 the fight , evolve for the future . 02:08.649 --> 02:10.593 That's what winning looks like and 02:10.593 --> 02:12.649 that's what we expect from every NCO 02:12.649 --> 02:14.705 and our forces because when our NCOs 02:14.705 --> 02:16.871 are strong , when they're ready , when 02:16.871 --> 02:18.927 they're empowered , and when they're 02:18.927 --> 02:18.600 leading , our air forces are 02:18.600 --> 02:21.860 unstoppable . I'm grateful to all of 02:21.860 --> 02:23.582 you for the partnerships , the 02:23.582 --> 02:25.804 relationships , and the friendships you 02:25.804 --> 02:28.082 cultivate on behalf of your commanders . 02:28.082 --> 02:30.138 As our command senior lied leaders , 02:30.138 --> 02:32.138 you all share the responsibility to 02:32.138 --> 02:34.138 develop the NCOs that will lead our 02:34.138 --> 02:36.193 forces in the future . Thank you for 02:36.193 --> 02:35.970 taking the time to join this discussion 02:35.970 --> 02:37.692 and share your knowledge . I'm 02:37.692 --> 02:39.803 confident that together we will forge 02:39.803 --> 02:41.859 an even stronger force ready to face 02:41.859 --> 02:43.914 any challenge , ready to fly , fight 02:43.914 --> 02:43.380 and win .