Leadership traits from the founding father Published April 15, 2009 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Airlift Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- During the Revolution, George Washington was one day riding by a group of soldiers who did not know him. They were busily engaged in raising a beam to the top of some military works. It was a difficult task and often the corporal's voice could be heard shouting, "Now you have it! All Ready! Pull!" Washington quietly asked the corporal why he didn't turn to and help them. "Sir," angrily replied the corporal, "Do you realize that I am the corporal?" Washington politely raised his hat, saying, "I did not realize it. Begging your pardon, Mr. Corporal." Then dismounting, he himself fell to work and helped the men until the beam was raised. Before leaving he turned to the corporal and, wiping the perspiration from his face, said, "If ever you need assistance like this again, call upon Washington, your commander-in-chief, and I will come." The confused corporal turned red, then white, as he realized that this was Washington himself to whom he had been so pompous; and we hope he learned a lesson of true greatness. This story comes from a book called, "American History Stories You Never Read in School, But Should Have," by Mara L. Pratt, M.D. This is just one of several stories that were reprinted from a school textbook of 1889. Ms. Pratt had come across the textbook in a church book sale in a section of rare books. She says in the introduction that tears filled her eyes as she read the beautiful histories and came to know more about early American leaders and people who believed in freedom, self responsibility and happiness. Washington believed in those things: freedom, self responsibility and happiness and set the example both in his capacity as general of the Continental Army and as America's first president. In an effort to explain the war effort to his men, Washington said that the time was at hand for Americans to determine if they were to be free men or slaves ... and that the enemy had only left them with the choice of "brave resistance or the most abject submisson." During his life, he sought no honor unto himself, but that which would promote the public good. Happiness, he said, comes from observing our moral duty and that he only hoped that in the end, the title he desired most was that of an honest man. How can those qualities apply to us today? Our military is different ... yet the same in many ways. While we have a more robust, modern and disciplined force, we must from time to time speak to our men and women to explain the war effort. We must explain our visions and goals, and outline how we will achieve them. Your leadership has been working to refine those for the 375th Airlift Wing so that we are united in our efforts with providing senior leadership and our wounded warriors the best, most precise and reliable airlift. We must be united in our efforts to provide superior service and support to all our team members at Scott. And, most importantly, we must provide our combatant commanders with combat-ready Airmen who understand the mission and what it will take to achieve success. We must be leaders who don't just yell out directions from afar; we must be engaged and be willing to do the very thing we are asking of our servicemembers. I have seen many officers and NCOs here who do lead by example. When done right, it wins the loyalty and devotion of their teams and success naturally follows. Our leaders must be focused on what is right for the country and for the public good. It becomes painfully obvious how the mission suffers when a leader's concern is only for him/herself. It is evident with low morale, mistrust, confusion and lack of discipline. Thankfully, I have not seen that here. You have tremendous leaders who are concerned about you, who work side-by-side with you and who are also working behind the scenes to ensure you have the right equipment and the right opportunities to progress. Washington had formidable challenges, but he kept a cool and wise countenance about him. All who knew him revered him ... supported him ... served him. As we move forward with our challenges of enabling combat power, let us develop those same leadership qualities to ensure mission success!