How the US Air Force tricked CSAF McPeak into staying in the military

12/11/17 • 47 min

In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, we talk to former Air Force Chief of Staff, General Merrill A. McPeak, who served as a military adviser to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council, and the President.

He’s also a career fighter pilot with more than 6,000 hours under his belt, including time as a solo pilot with the elite Thunderbirds.

The General currently has three books out, Below The Zone, Roles and Missions, and Hangar Flying, about his time being ringside during one of the most tumultuous moments in recent history: the Vietnam War, where Gen. McPeak was an attack pilot and high-speed forward air controller.

He’s also a career fighter pilot with more than 6,000 hours under his belt, including time as a solo pilot with the elite Thunderbirds.

Previous Episode

How the Vietnam War shaped the modern day US Air Force

In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, Blake speaks formerAir Force Chief of Staff General Merrill A. McPeak who served as a military adviser to the secretary of defense, National Security Council, and the president.

He’s also a career fighter pilot with more than 6,000 hours under his belt, including time as a solo pilot with the elite Thunderbirds.

The General's book Hangar Flying is about his time being ringside during one of the most tumultuous times in recent history as an attack pilot and high-speed forward air controller over Vietnam.

In this episode, we talk on a wide-range of topics including:

[1:35] The Mandatory Fun crew introduces General McPeak and his epic resume.
[4:00] How allied troops managed to set traps on their North Vietnamese enemy.
[7:00] The general discusses what it was like kicking off Operation Desert Storm.
[10:30] The reasons behind why air doctrine changed since the Vietnam War ended.
[13:45] The general breaks down the stats of the fighter pilots who have been shot down.
[21:00] What it's like flying in an Air Force air show in front of political VIPs.
[28:50] What influences the general had on Ken Burn's PBS Vietnam documentary and what it was like working with the filmmaking legend.
[34:35] How the Air Force attempts to retain it's outstanding and well-trained fighter pilots.
[35:30] What things the general loved about being a fighter pilot.
[45:15] The importance of having nuclear weapons on station.

Next Episode

This Army veteran's book focuses on the stories of the 'Frontline Generation'

In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, we once again speak with Army veteran, national speaker, and acclaimed author of the 2017 Independent Publishing Award-winning book The Frontline Generation: How We Served Post 9/11 — Marjorie K. Eastman.

Marjorie is also an accomplished executive and operational professional with over 20-years experience in leading people and various organizations.

Her award-winning book began as a personal memoir for her son. Marjorie's goal was to capture the lessons and inspirations she learned serving beside men and women who represent the very best of what it means to be American — the 1% of the population in the military.

She respectfully identifies this group as the Frontline Generation and notes that it is an untapped reservoir of leaders who have been strengthened by their Post 9/11 service.

[2:00] Here's the reason why this acclaimed author decided to join the military.
[7:25] Marjorie explains how she received her direct Army officer commissioning.
[11:50] What gave Marjorie the motivation to move forward and write her now acclaimed book.
[16:10] The story behind why Majorie smiled at a drill sergeant during boot camp
[20:30] What helps define a strong female presence in a leadership position.
[25:00] What veteran stories Marjorie loves to tell during her public speaking events.
[31:15] The complete explain behind the story "Yes, man. No, man."