TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Capt. (SEAL) Bill Wilson, USN (Ret.), a distinguished veteran with 28 years of service in the U.S. Navy, recently conducted two professional development seminars at the 507th Air Refueling Wing during the Unit Training Assembly Aug. 3.

These seminars, attended by noncommissioned officers and company officers, provided valuable insights into leadership, risk management and the important balance between mission requirements and operational risk.

Wilson emphasized that the military is a model of effective interpersonal relations and organizational psychology. He emphasized the cooperative work between officers and noncommissioned officers within a unit and the importance of freedom of action and mutual respect in achieving successful results.

“Many people think that the military is a hierarchical structure where people have no room to maneuver and orders are shouted from the top. But in reality, it is primarily a partnership between officers and noncommissioned officers in a unit,” Wilson said.

During the seminars, Wilson spoke openly about the challenges facing military personnel and warned against a false sense of urgency.
“Sometimes you have to tell the commander, ‘I need six hours of overtime or we’re going to kill or hurt someone,'” Wilson said. “We don’t do anything in our job that would make it worth killing someone’s child.”

Wilson also emphasized the responsibility that comes with leadership and the importance of a good relationship between a leader and the people he or she leads.

“The human factors in a unit are always more important than the material factors,” Wilson said. “I want (leaders) to think of these troops as the children of others who have been entrusted to them. You will not get that honor anywhere else.”

During his time with the 507th ARW, Wilson also had the opportunity to observe Airmen aboard one of the squadron’s KC-135 Stratotankers.

“It was totally relaxing to be in that aircraft,” Wilson said. “It took me back 15 years, looking at a weapon system and listening to the young guys talk about it. They’re very excited about their systems.”

This seminar exemplifies the 507th ARW’s commitment to the professional development of its reserve Airmen, despite the challenges of a busy schedule during unit training assemblies. Training and development ensures the squadron’s Citizen Airmen are prepared to fight the fight with combat-ready airpower.