To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.George Washington
Airmen,
In an increasingly contested global environment, success depends not only on cutting-edge technology and strategic foresight, but on the character, resilience, and adaptability of our people. This Leadership Library selections offer Airmen tools to cultivate perseverance, deepen understanding of strategic competition, and think critically about protecting the foundation of U.S. airpower.
Angela Duckworth’s "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" provides a framework for cultivating resilience. Duckworth proposes that success hinges on passion and persistence – what she calls “grit.” Individuals with high levels of grit demonstrate unwavering commitment to goals, resilience in the face of setbacks, and sustained effort over time to maximize their potential. For Airmen, developing grit means embracing challenges as opportunities, committing to excellence, and embodying the warrior mindset in our professional endeavors.
China Power’s "Rethinking Strategic Competition with China: A Conversation with Mr. Elbridge Colby" podcast offers a focused, unvarnished look at U.S.-China strategic competition. The Honorable Elbridge Colby, current under secretary of defense for policy, posits that economic measures alone are insufficient to deter Chinese aggression and instead advocates for a credible military deterrent built on alliance cooperation, regional force posture, and precise planning. His assessment highlights the need for a disciplined focus on Indo-Pacific planning and the prioritization of military strength. Airmen will benefit from Mr. Colby’s perspective as we continually refine how we compete, deter, and prevail against our pacing threat.
The Hudson Institute’s "Concrete Sky: Air Base Hardening in the Western Pacific" outlines a critical vulnerability in America’s ability to project airpower: the exposure of U.S. air bases to precision strikes from Chinese missile and air forces. The authors call for hardening airfields, investing in active and passive defenses, and developing runway-independent platforms. For our Airmen, the key takeaway is that winning the fight requires defending the infrastructure that makes the fight possible. Survivability of airpower assets is central to deterrence and mission success.
By engaging with these selections, Airmen will be better equipped to build personal and professional resilience, confront strategic challenges with clarity, and contribute meaningfully to the modernization and defense of our Air Force. These titles are available through the E-Learning CSAF Library Journey. Thank you for your grit, focus, and dedication to our Air Force and to our nation!
Editor’s note: The CSAF Leadership Library is a fluid set of media selected by Gen. Allvin that evolves as novel ideas are published, recorded and debated. New entries will be added periodically throughout the year.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
In this must-read book for anyone striving to succeed, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows parents, educators, students, and business people both seasoned and new that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a focused persistence called grit.
ChinaPower: Rethinking Strategic Competition with China: A Conversation with Mr. Elbridge Colby
In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Elbridge Colby discusses the U.S.-China strategic competition, emphasizing the military threat from the PRC, the importance of focusing on Taiwan, the need for military over economic deterrence, bipartisan views on China, and prioritizing the PRC in U.S. defense strategy and regional alliances.
Concrete Sky: Air Base Hardening in the Western Pacific
U.S. airfields face a severe and growing threat from Chinese military strikes, yet while China has heavily invested in fortifying and expanding its airbase network, the U.S. has neglected airfield resilience—creating a dangerous imbalance that could incentivize Chinese aggression and undermine American airpower in a conflict.