General Mark Welsh is currently the commanding General of US Air Forces in Europe.  (He previously sent out a message on the problem of retaining fighter pilots.)  General Welsh is also a former Commandant of Cadets at USAFA, as well as an A-10 and F-16 fighter pilot.

On November 1st he visited USAFA and delivered an inspirational message to the cadets:  You’ll make a difference.  Be ready.  One particularly salient quote:

Leadership is a gift.  Its given by those who follow.

But you have to be worthy of it.  The men and women that you are going to be responsible for are the greatest people on the planet.  You better be getting ready to lead’em.  If you’re not, rededicate yourself to the effort.

Try your leadership skills here [at USAFA].  If you fail, learn and move on.  Try again.  That’s what this environment is for.

If you’re still saying this place sucks, leave.  We don’t need you.  We don’t want you.  We don’t have time for you.

Because when you leave this place, and I put you in command and supervision of people like Matt Slaydon, if you let them down, I will track you down, and I will hurt you.  And that’s going to be really embarassing considering how old I am.

USAFA published the 50-minute presentation online; it is available at YouTube.

Set some time aside this weekend to watch it.  It’s well worth your time.