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Former Air Force Surgeon General challenges the 711th Human Performance Wing to help change the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Elizabeth Long
  • 711th Human Performance Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The former Surgeon General of the United States Air Force challenged researchers and other personnel with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), 711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW) to be forces for change in the Air Force.

Lieutenant General (Retired) Paul Carlton, M.D., Director of the Office of Innovation and Preparedness at the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, recently visited Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to discuss the issue with 711 HPW scientists, engineers and other participants at a recent seminar.

Dr. Carlton explained that based on his experiences in changing how the military got to where it is today in casualty management (which is the best survival rate in the history of war), he believes everyone has the opportunity to help change a large organization from within.

He noted that people who work for change may encounter others who disagree with them, and they must determine how to find common ground, or even decide that they must stand alone.

"People live in three different worlds: political, rational and emotional," Dr. Carlton explained. "Depending on your perspective on any given day, you may react differently to a situation."

Dr. Carlton added, "You have to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. If you have ideas that are important, you have to learn how to bring them forward and learn how to make sure we are making our country better. It is the basis of our Air Force."

According to Dr. Carlton, the Air Force is constantly challenging itself to perform better.

"The Air Force an active learner," he said, "and it always is looking for a better way to do the job. We are rarely learned - perfectly prepared to deal with a world that no longer exists."

Dr. Carlton said the 711 HPW is an integral part of the Air Force continuing to be an active learner and helping the Air Force to save more lives. He challenged seminar participants with a number of areas in which they could help the warfighter, including better, more energy-efficient shelters in the theater; better nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection; better power production; and better water alternatives.