Re: Roguism
John Wiley (jwiley_at_atl.mindspring.com)
Fri, 22 Aug 1997 21:46:42 -0400
At 10:46 AM 8/22/97 -0400, you wrote:
>
>I am a newcomer to this forum and have been watching this growing discussion.
> I was an Air Force human factors instructor until retirement in June. I
>spent my last two years in Special Operations. My thoughts...
>
>It seems to me that Roguism can be bred into individuals via the
>organizational culture. The Air Force, unlike the airlines, has a great
>number of very young troops (most of which may eventually be airline pilots).
> The commander and operations officer significantly influence those
>youngsters... That attitude seems very difficult to change. Indeed, I think
>that many leave the service sooner than expected because they cannot
>transition to a more disciplined unit.
>
>What do you think? How does this differ from the airline operation?
>
I did 7yrs in the Air Force, did 3.5yrs flying general aviation in Learjets
and Citations and then the airlines in 1978.. small observation. People do
what is required of them but the tone comes from the top down. I had a very
good ops officer in the KC-135 who went after excellence and showed others
it was not only desirable, it was obtainable. Leadership.. pure and simple.
Now, what many want to do is pay lip service to the program, give half
hearted support and bust the chops of anyone who threatens the possible
pending promotion.... whether airline or military or GA..there is always
something that is in vogue and those who see themselves as "shakers and
movers" will be out front dancing...the key is to find out who is applying
it..<G>
Culture is on going and self reproducing....it takes time to change....but
it can be done. But, first, the guys at the top have to do more than
dance... they have to show they are willing to change also.
Discipline is not a realm solely belonging to the military. On a CAT IIIb
approach or even worse, a non-precision approach at night, you better have
good crew discipline or prepare for a smoking hole....