Awesome experience today, first day of academics at fighter weapons school. A 1 star general was addressing the class, and of course the speech centered around the 6 month school we're in and it's aspects of leadership and tactical expertise. The cool part? Opening with a 10 minute diatribe about leadership and the pursuit of excellence centered around Coach Nick Saban and the University of Alabama. "Did you watch the national title game last night? People turned it off in the second half, maybe, if you didn't have a vested interest. I hope you watched." (Paraphrased) In the 4th quarter, something happened I wish you would have seen, if you didn't. Its late in the game, Alabama is up by 4 touchdowns. The snap count was messed up, and Alabama got a 5 yard penalty. To the uninitiated, seeing the QB yelling at the center and he, in turn, shoving the QB - you might have asked, what the hell is going on? What are they doing? That's not what I saw. What I saw is what Nick Saban, as a leader, has instilled and driven into his players. The scoreboard doesn't matter, that will take care of itself. What each one of us has to do is have a relentless pursuit of perfection, regardless of circumstance. Regardless of what someone has said to you, or about you, or what good or bad has happened - an untiring, unstoppable, relentless pursuit of perfection. Weaker, less capable people will always counter with "perfection can't be attained." But look what happens when you try. When you, as a combat leader, have your people follow in that matter - you're a successful leader. And of course, lots of reflection and comparison after that about leadership; how it relates to being a weapons officer, etc., etc. I may or may not have let a "Roll Tide" slip out...