A Secretary, An Airman, and a Different Air Force
Every now and then, a headline takes you somewhere you weren’t expecting to go. I recently came across news of the passing of Dr. James G. Roche, the 20th Secretary of the Air Force.
Dr. James G. Roche at his welcome ceremony as the 20th Secretary of the Air Force in June 2001. Neither he nor the Airmen he would lead could have known how much our world, and our Air Force, would change just three months later. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jim Varhegyi.
Secretary Roche served from 2001 to 2005, which overlapped with a very memorable period of my own Air Force career. George W. Bush was President, and I was still relatively early in my military journey.
During Roche’s tenure, I served at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and later at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. Shortly after his appointment, September 11, 2001 happened.
Like so many Americans, I remember the world before 9/11 and the world after it. But serving in the military gave that change another dimension. Almost overnight, the Air Force felt different. The bases felt different. Security was different. Getting onto an installation changed. Identification checks, vehicle inspections, barriers, increased security presence and heightened force protection measures became much more visible parts of everyday military life. Things we may have previously taken for granted suddenly required another look. And beyond the gates, the mission itself was changing.
We were entering a period that would become defined by the Global War on Terror. Deployments, readiness, force protection and the possibility of responding to another attack became part of the environment in which an entire generation of Airmen would serve.
At the time, I didn’t know much about the Secretary of the Air Force or what that job entailed. I was a young Airman. My world at the time was much smaller. I was the work hard/play hard guy then. I wanted to see and explore new things, meet new people, and enjoy my primary job of being a firefighter, while also enjoying my hobbies. But more than two decades later, seeing Secretary Roche’s name again caused me to look at that period differently.
He became Secretary only months before 9/11. Imagine accepting the most senior leadership position in the United States Air Force, and within months, the world changes. Whatever priorities, strategies or expectations existed on your first day suddenly have to contend with a reality nobody anticipated. There’s a leadership lesson in that.
Sometimes the job you accept isn’t the job you end up leading. You can prepare, establish priorities, develop a strategy; and then something happens that changes everything. A crisis, war, emergency, tragedy, or a new mission; that’s when leadership becomes less about following the plan and more about adapting to the environment in front of you.
Looking back, I didn’t realize just how much history we were living through. I couldn’t have known where my own Air Force journey would eventually take me. I was simply an Airman experiencing an Air Force that was changing around me.
That’s one of the interesting things about looking backward. History looks different when you realize you were living through it.
Sometimes a headline isn’t just news. Sometimes it’s a mile marker that reminds you how far you’ve traveled.
My sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr. Roche. I’m grateful for the opportunity to reflect on that period of our history and his service to our nation. May he rest in peace.
This Week’s Stop: Sometimes You Just Have To Pull Over
Sometimes the journey requires us to stop long enough to enjoy where we are.
I recently returned from a short vacation at Fort Myers Beach, Florida, and somewhere between the palm trees, the beach, and having absolutely nowhere I needed to be, I learned I needed a break more than I realized.
It’s easy to convince ourselves that constantly moving is a sign of commitment. There is always another meeting, another project, another email, another goal, and another reason to keep going.
But even on a long journey, you have to pull over sometimes.
For me, this vacation was different. I allowed myself to disconnect. I wasn’t trying to solve the next problem or figure out the next move. I spent time with family, enjoyed the water, rested, and simply allowed myself to be present.
And then vacation ended.
And just like that…back on the road. Rested, recharged, and ready for what’s next.
The alarm clock came back. The dress shirt and tie came back. And, of course, so did The Commute.
But I returned differently.
Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity. Sometimes it’s what makes continued productivity possible.
That’s something I’m embracing.
For those of us who pride ourselves on being dependable, driven, and always ready, taking a break can almost feel uncomfortable. But leadership requires enough self-awareness to recognize when it’s time to recharge.
The work will still be there when you return.
The question is whether you’ll return depleted or renewed.
Leadership Lesson
Good leaders know when to look ahead, when to look back, and when to simply step away long enough to see the road more clearly.
Along the Route
Call Sign Chief-1 Podcast
Thank you to those who supported Season 2, and to the wonderful lineup of guests. Season 3 is in the works and will feature another great group of leaders from the military, fire service, business, and beyond.
Command Presence Field Guide
Still available through The Shanton Effect for leaders looking to strengthen their presence during critical moments.
Speaking & Workshops
Building the calendar for 2027 leadership workshops and speaking opportunities. I’m excited to continue helping leaders develop their influence and impact.
Visit www.theshantoneffect.com for more information.
Question for Passengers
For those who served during Secretary Roche’s tenure, what changes do you remember most about the military after September 11?
And for everyone else: Have you ever experienced an event that fundamentally changed your organization or profession almost overnight? What did you learn from the leaders who helped you navigate it?
I’d love to hear your story.
Simply reply to this email.
Until Next Stop…
Thank you for riding along!
- Shanton
Pride. Professionalism. Excellence.
The Commute | Reflections From the Road
The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter do not reflect the official policies or positions of the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or any affiliated organization.
This newsletter is intended for informational and educational purposes and is based on personal observations, experiences, and leadership lessons.
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