The Time Has Come to Vote

It has been very interesting to watch each of the candidates show us why they are the best choice, and why we should favor them over their rival.  They have campaigned to convince us that their style is better than the other’s.  As we watch each candidate’s attempts to influence our decision, we begin to form our opinions about each one.  We try to do this in an unbiased fashion, but each of us has our own personal preference of one over another.  In the final analysis, we have to look at each of the candidates and make our decision on who is the very best selection.  We want to pick a candidate that will inspire and motivate us, while demonstrating to us their true ability to lead.  It comes down to the candidate who possesses strong character, integrity and leadership.  The time has come to make our final vote.

No, I’m not talking about the Presidential election between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.  I am talking about the rival spirit spots between the service academies parodying PSY‘s song and video, Gangnam Style.  With over 500 million views on YouTube, Gangnam Style has taken over the World.  Leave it to the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, United States Military Academy at West Point, Coast Guard Academy and Merchant Marine Academy to perform PSY-Ops to battle the mania.  In the last month, each of the academies have offered their version of Gangnam Style in spirit spots to coincide with football games, school activities and time between classes to just release some energy.

This blog post is meant to take a break from the hype and noise of the presidential election to entertain you with each of the five Gangnam Style spirit spots.  But, in the spirit of our democratic process this election season, I wanted to present the videos to you for your vote.  Psephology is the study of results and other statistics relating to elections (especially with a view to predicting future results).  But, PSY-phology is the study of which Gangnam Style spirit spot is the best among all of the military academies.

Watch each of the videos.  After you’ve viewed them, I want you to vote for your favorite one.  I want your unbiased opinion.  For example, although I am a Navy guy, I have voted for a rival video, as I think it is the best attempt at mimicking the original, while being humorous, unique and showing strong school spirit and pride.  Using that criteria, I want you to vote for your favorite.  Below the five videos is an election ballot.  The time has come to vote; to vote for your favorite military academy Gangnam Style spirit spot.

The United States Naval Academy -

The United States Air Force Academy -

The United States Military Academy at West Point -

The United States Merchant Marine Academy -

The United States Coast Guard Academy -

Now that you have viewed all five candidates, the time has come to vote.  Please use the voting ballot below to exercise your civic and democratic duty.  Which Military Academy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ Video has Earned Your Vote?

I’ve got to be honest with you, the song, to me, does not get old.  In fact, these spirit spots have reinforced my liking of the song.  By now, I would be absolutely exhausted from it.  The analogy of being exhausted from it all fits well with this year’s presidential election.  I have had enough of the speeches, debates and cable news ‘talking-heads’ fighting it out in our 24/7 news cycle.  This election process has gone on long enough; ENOUGH ALREADY!!!  I can’t wait until the election is over.  November 6 cannot come soon enough.

Related Articles -

Ten Things You Need to Know About PSY’s Gangnam Style and Korean Hip-Hop - (www.telegraph.co.uk)

The Man Behind the Moves: Psy of ‘Gangnam Style’ Fame – (www.businessweek.com)

The United States Air Force Academy ~ Established April 1, 1954

On April 1, 1954, Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the establishment of the United States Air Force Academy.  Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Air Force Academy’s mission is to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation.  The program at the Academy is guided by the Air Force’s core values of “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.“

After 58 years, the United States Air Force Academy is still flying high on the wings of honor.

Related Content -

United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, Colorado – Official website

Air Force Academy “Looking Back Moving Forward”

Never Fly Solo ~ Top Gun Success

Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman (USAF Reserve)

This week, I have chosen a few videos featuring Lieutenant Colonel Rob “Waldo” Waldman; also known as “The Wingman.”  Colonel Waldman is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and became a highly decorated fighter pilot with over 65 combat missions over Iraq and Serbia.  He holds an MBA with a focus on organizational behavior.  Now serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Waldo has become a professional business motivational speaker and consultant, and is the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller “Never Fly Solo.”  He teaches organizations and individuals how to build trusting, revenue producing relationships with their employees, partners, and customers, while sharing his experiences as a combat decorated fighter pilot and businessman.[i]

Col. Waldman’s philosophy: No fighter pilot flies solo, and neither should you.  You need Wingmen – trusted partners – to win when the missiles of life and business are launched.  Whether achieving victory as a fighter pilot or in business, the same qualities that ensure success apply: relentless commitment, disciplined training, dedicated teamwork, impassioned leadership, and most of all…trust.[ii]

When I came across the Never Fly Solo video that promotes his book, and other videos featuring his inspirational message, I was absolutely motivated and lifted.  I wanted to share his message with you.  I have posted five videos below that define Colonel Waldman’s Never Fly Solo message.  It will take you just under 20 minutes to view them all.  Each video has a common theme, but a different message and focus.  I encourage you to view each of them, and take what you learn from them and immediately apply the Never Fly Solo principles.

Never Fly Solo

The Wingman

Teamwork and Communication in Business

Team Building and Leadership

Motivational Wingman Video

I hope you enjoyed this week’s installment of “Video of the Week.”  Remember, never fly solo, and protect your team from hidden dangers.  And, most importantly, become a wingman in everything you do; every person, every team, every day.  PUSH IT UP!!!

For more information on Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman, Check out www.YourWingman.com.  If you would like to order the book Never Fly Solo, please visit http://www.neverflysolo.com.  And, if you would like Col. Waldman to attend your next conference or convention, please visit http://bureau.espeakers.com/simp/viewspeaker6542.

Copyright © Dale R. Wilson

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[i] “Meet Waldo.” Motivational Keynote Speaker : Business Speaker : Professional Speaker : Waldo Waldman: YourWingman.com.  Accessed 9 December 2011. http://www.yourwingman/about/

[ii] “Rob “Waldo” Waskman’s LinkedIn Profile.” http://www.linkedin.com/.  Accessed 9 December 2011

Video of the Week – The Leadership Gift

Leadership Is a Gift Given by Those Who Follow

Some of you may recognize this video, as I posted it to a few LinkedIn groups about a month ago.  I wanted to re-post it here, as I now have an expanded audience to view it.  This video is quite inspirational, and it may very well be one of the finest lectures you will ever see.  I encourage you to watch the entire 50+ minute video; the message is strong, moving and stimulating.  This is a speach by General Mark Welsh, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, to the Cadets of the United States Air Force Academy on November 1, 2011.  General Welsh is discussing with the Cadets where they will be, and what they will become as Air Force officers, when they graduate from the Academy.  Although it is a lecture at a military academy on the topic of leadership in the profession of arms, the premise of the lecture is universal to anyone who leads in any walk of life, and within any organization or institution.  Leadership as an act of service.  As the General says, “Leadership is a gift. It’s given by those who follow. You have to be worthy of it.”

In summary, General Welsh discusses the following:

1) Know your organization’s heritage; learn something about who your organization is, and who you are.

2) Ask yourself why your doing what you are doing, and why you are doing it for the company/organization you are doing it for; somebody has to be good at what you do – you better be good at it.

3) Things are going to change.  The economy is going to change; politics are going to change; technology is going to change; the competion/enemy will change.  We may have to change with it.  But, who we are will not change.  The faces and names may change within an organization, but the organization’s overall purpose/mission will not change.

4) Companies and organizations hire people to commit themselves to a certain mission and values.  The company expects those people to be successful.

5) Everyone in an organization is expected to make a difference.  The leader – manager – officer’s job is to lead them towards success.

The Expectations of a Leader -

1) Credibility – Be Credible.  If you say it, mean it.  You better do what you say you will do.

2) Pay attention to detail.  Little things can make the difference between success and failure.

3) Be ready to make decisions.

4) If you don’t know your people, you can’t lead them.  Every person has a story; get to know who your people are.

5) Don’t leave your people down.

6) Be committed to your profession.

****BE READY TO LEAD**** 

Copyright © Dale R. Wilson