The first day of combat
As the engines of my F-14 roared to life I was asking myself a question: “Are you ready for this?” I was about to launch off the U.S.S. Independence for my first combat sortie into Iraq. I became consumed with the checklists that would ready my weapons and fuel-laden jet for the mission ahead.
As I taxied forward to the catapult, the ground crew was making their final inspection, and I had a brief moment to pause. I wondered if I were ready? And a voice in my head shouted, “Yes!” The catapult fired, and I was accelerated to 150 mph in two seconds. I was en route combat.
The right mindset
What had given me the confidence to move forward, and how had I arrived at that moment of feeling prepared? Only six months before as I was catapulted into the Persian Gulf, I had admitted to myself that I was just an average fighter pilot. I felt like a first year wrestler who had difficulties winning a match.
My grades for landing on the aircraft carrier were above average, but I was struggling with air combat maneuvering (ACM) or dogfighting. ACM is best described as a three-dimensional chess game played at 400 mph. I realized that to get the results I desired, I had to be willing to change my thinking and approach.
Admitting I needed help
There was a senior pilot in the squadron who was virtually unbeatable. It didn’t matter who he was fighting. He always gained the upper hand. I asked him if he would mentor me. And to my chagrin he said, “No, but I will fly with you.” During our first sortie, we had six engagements. He dominated every fight. I was dreading our upcoming discussion. He gave me no advice, mentorship, or instruction, but he asked me simple yet penetrating questions. We walked through the details of every engagement. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, he was coaching me.
He walked alongside me as I questioned how I thought, what my habits were, and how I reacted to various situations. He shifted my entire mindset which made me thrive in the moment. The clarity I gained from his coaching allowed me to put effective plans of action in place. After three months of working together, my skills as a fighter pilot had transformed.
The results
Later in the year, my commanding officer selected me for the single slot that was open to a naval aviator from our squadron to attend TOPGUN. A dream achieved!
So what is a coach? He is someone who helps you accelerate the time to reach your goals. He comes alongside you to draw out the potential that innately exists. A coach creates the clarity and passion needed achieve your dreams.
To contact me and discuss how I can be helpful to you click here.
Recent Comments