Col Dann D Pettit Col Pettit (retired) was the Director of Operations, Joint Force Headquarters, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma City, OK. As the Director of Operations, he formulates, coordinates, and supervises operations and training programs for State Headquarters. He has supervised the Strategic Planning Process and is personally responsible for five new business and management initiatives presently being implemented across the entire OKANG. He also observes and evaluates the effectiveness of training programs and operations at both flying units in Oklahoma; the 137th Airlift Wing in Oklahoma City, and the 138th Fighter Wing located in Tulsa. He also advises the commander on the status of operations programs and effectiveness of these programs at each unit in the state, ensuring the peacetime and wartime mission’s capability of these units. As Director of Operations, he provides the Headquarters a voice for the operations of the 137th Airlift Wing, Oklahoma City, and the 138th Fighter Wing, Tulsa, while maintaining currency in the 137th Airlift Wing’s mission as a fully qualified Instructor Navigator in the C-130 Aircraft, and observer in the F-16 aircraft. Member of Minuteman Institute for National Defense Studies. Col Pettit graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder CO, with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and minor in Communications in 1977, and earned his Masters of Management and Leadership from Webster University in May of 2007. He entered service in the Oklahoma Air National Guard in October of 1979 and after completion of Basic Training as an Honor Graduate, Lackland AFB, TX, began his career as an Operations Systems Management Specialist with the 185th Tactical Airlift Squadron (TAS) in Oklahoma City. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, Knoxville TN, in June 1980, and was assigned to Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, OK. In July of 1981, he was transferred to Undergraduate Navigator Training located at Mather AFB, CA. Upon completion of Undergraduate Navigator Training, he was sent to C-130 Navigator Qualification Training at Little Rock AFB, AR, and in Feb 1982, began his flying career as a C-130 Navigator assigned to the 185th AS located in Oklahoma City. Col Pettit’s flying career with the 185th has spanned 26 years while attaining the status of Instructor Navigator, and holds the rating of Master Navigator/Instructor Navigator. As a member of the 185th he has amassed in excess of 5,000 flight hours (several hundred Combat Hours) in the following aircraft; C-130E, C-130H, T-37, T-43, C-5, C-141, C-17, and C-20 aircraft, while completing the following Professional Military Education Programs by Seminar; Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College - Joint, and Air War College. Col Pettit has deployed as a commander, Mission Commander, operations officer, and crew member worldwide in support of the following Operations: Coronet Oak, REFORGER, Team Spirit, Gallant Eagle, Bold Eagle, Global Patriot, Bright Star, Desert Shield, Promote Liberty, Joint Endeavour, Joint Guard, Joint Forge, Cobra Gold, Provide Promise, Southern Watch, Tradewinds, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Prior to assuming his current position, Col Pettit was the commander of the 137th Airlift Control Flight, a mobile/deployable command and control unit, which reported directly to HQ Air Mobility Command, Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC). While in that position, he deployed as Operations Officer and Commander worldwide in support of various missions supporting the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Mobility Command, CENTCOM, PACAF, and USAFE, culminating with a deployment to the CENTCOM AOR in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He also represented the ANG ALCF’s as Vice Chair of the Air National Guard ALCF Council. In His civilian capacity, he is a warranted Procuring Contracting Officer in the employ of the Department of Defense, responsible for writing and managing contracts in excess of $1.0 Billion. Col Pettit is from Pueblo, Colorado. He is married to the former Lela Jo Walls of Ralston, Oklahoma. They have one Son, (Rodney), two daughters, (Sherry and Cindy), and four grandchildren, (Kyle, Michelle, Scott, and Baylor). EDUCATION 1977 Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration Administration, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 1987 Squadron Officer School, (Seminar) Tinker AFB, OK 1996 Air Command and Staff College – Joint (Seminar), Tinker AFB, OK 2002 Air War College (Seminar), Tinker AFB, OK 2007 Master of Arts in Management and Leadership, Webster University (Tinker AFB Campus) ASSIGNMENTS 1. Oct 1979 – Jun 1980, Operations Systems Management Specialist, Will Rogers ANGB, OK 2. Jun 1980 – Jul 1981, Student Pilot, Vance AFB, OK 3. Jul 1981 – Feb 1982, Student Navigator, Mather AFB, CA 4. Feb 1982 – Jun 1982, Navigator Mission Qualification Training, Little Rock AFB, AR 5. Jun 1982 – Jun 1994, C-130 Airlift Navigator, Will Rogers ANGB, OK 6. Jun 1994 – Present, C-130 Instructor Navigator, Will Rogers ANGB, OK 7. Jun 1998 – Oct 2002, Director of Operations, 137th Airlift Control Flight, Will Rogers ANGB, OK 8. Oct 2002 – Aug 2005, Commander, 137th Airlift Control Flight, Will Rogers ANGB, OK 9. Aug 2005 – Present, Director of Operations, Joint Force Headquarters, Headquarters Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma City, OK MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster Joint Meritorious Unit Award AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, and two oak leaf clusters AF Organizational Excellence Award Combat Readiness Medal with silver oak leaf cluster Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster National Defense Service Medal with star device Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with star device Kosovo Campaign Medal Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border AF Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with star device AF Training Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS Contracting, Level III, Acquisition Professional Development Program Certified Associate Contracts Manager, National Contract Management Association EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant 05 Jun 1980 First Lieutenant 05 Jun 1983 Captain 29 May 1986 Major 05 Jun 1994 Lieutenant Colonel 05 Jun 2001 Colonel 01 Nov 2005 Retired 01 Jul 2010
Many of the values, beliefs and principles that guide and sustain us have underlying spiritual roots. The more in touch we are with those spiritual roots, the more enlightened our leadership becomes and the more effective we become in leading others to a better future. Enlightened leaders help others see the contours of their lives so they can see how they can best contribute to the whole. Enlightened leaders strive to help others identify their own gifts and talents and then cultivate them, helping them find their place in the puzzle.
Earlier in the year (2009) My younger brother Steve lost his battle to cancer. I was asked to write some thoughts for his memorial, which I did but I could not stop there. I ended up writing a letter to Robert (my 13 year old nephew and Steve's son). It was as much a healing process for me, and it gives a lot of insight into my thought processes. For better or for worse, here it is. It is helpful to realize that while our bodies are mortal, all human beings are eternal - our soul and spirit will never die. Our spirits - the essence of who we are - will live forever! As we begin to think of ourselves as eternal beings, the realization that there is a future will help us cope with the present circumstances. I don’t believe in death. I only believe in death so far as the body becomes a corpse, but the soul continue its journey. Technically even the body doesn’t die. The matter and energy remain constant but changes its form or presentation. The ashes are still billions of atoms that were once the earthly vehicle for my brother (your dad). The body itself, while alive, is constantly changing. No one is the same person they were two years ago. We are 100% brand new! Every atom and every cell has changed, and the thing which maintains the memories and persona is the soul. Even though deep down I know all this to be true when the death first occurs you cannot help but feel saddened, grief and shed a few tears (I most certainly did). Even the death of your physical body cannot damage your being. You are an eternal being. The spirit cannot die. Therefore, when the flesh dies, the spirit is actually set free. Who are we to presume we are more powerful, more knowledgeable, more omnipotent than the forces of nature. Life is a series of unfolding lessons that enable us to grow and become our best selves. Embedded in the challenges and vicissitudes of life are opportunities for growth and self-expression. A spiritual truth for people, indeed the universe, is that the parts affect the whole and the whole affects the parts. Since we are part of the whole, it is in our own enlightened self-interest to devote our vision, energy, and gifts to shape the world that is unfolding. We are complex beings comprised of mind, body and spirit. For our best selves to emerge, we must nurture and balance these three aspects of mind, body, and spirit. The beauty of death is that it can remind you to live. I want you to know that death is something we must all face whether that is as a participant or a witness to. Know that it is on its way and live your life accordingly. Death continues to be, at this point in time, one of life’s enduring mysteries. Perhaps one day in the not-too-distant future, we may wake up to find that, miraculously, death itself has become transparent to the ever-expanding field of human knowledge. When you feel this sadness in your heart, the pain seems unbearable (I felt this more than once when losing someone I loved and cared deeply for). You feel like something went terribly wrong. You are not alone my nephew; just remember this one thing; You will indeed see him again. I know that you will pull through this somehow. One day at a time, it gets easier. Know that Dex is always with you in spirit; loving you and hoping for the best and trusting that you will keep on embracing life and making the most of it. Think about this: If you were once connected with someone, does it make sense that the connection is broken just because of a physical death? No, the connection stays. You may just have to listen differently. You may just have to talk differently. The truth is: the connection is never broken. It's quite impossible to break the most powerful connection in the universe (especially one made by the power of love). When one who you love passes away, remember not the one day he succumbed to death, but the thousands he lived. Do not think me a coward because I did not want to see your dad on his death bed. Part of me wanted to be with him, and the other part of me desired to think of him as I knew him; healthy vibrant, and active. I think of this by imagining in my minds’ eye Steve cultivating a magnificent spirit in facing a serious disease, by making a difference in the life of Robert and Libby, and be a catalyst inside an organization (the Colorado Section of the PGA, and more specifically the Roaring Fork Club concept, or initiate or contribute to a cause). The members of the RFC know his “cause” was the RFC, and why they chose to honor him in such a magnificent manner memorializing him on his selected golf hole. You can shed tears that he is gone (as I have), or you can smile because he has lived (as I do every day). You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back (which is totally unproductive), or you can open your eyes and see all he's left (which will make your world better). Your heart can be empty because you can't see him physically, or you can be full of the love you shared (as I have chosen). You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember him only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on. Grief has a natural place in our lives. Grief turns into healing when you relinquish the pain and helplessness you feel, because there is nothing you can do to bring the deceased person back. Just as there are seasons on this earth that include the repose and rest of winter, so is there a natural winter of the heart. It is our responsibility to become self-knowing enough (self aware)not only to recognize the beauty of these seasons of the heart, but to embrace them for the naturally healing, naturally renewing seasons that they are. Sorrow is one of the seasons that we must let run its course. Losing a loved one (a truly loved one) cannot go without effect. It is natural to feel a certain kind of “hole” in our hearts and minds. When you know you can’t really lose anything or anyone, if you understand there is no real division between you and the one you love or, for that matter, between you and love itself, then the heartache of loss simply ceases to exist for you. The ones we love are like our favorite mirrors in which we not only come to know their image, but our own as well. While you do what you must to go forward with your daily life, let go of everything else in thought that tries to drag you down. This you can do with inner watchfulness. Stay out of the “mud” of self-pity. It will dry on you and harden your heart. Shift your thoughts to what you can do to honor your father’s memory. The best remembrance of a loved one is to carry on what that person stood for. After all you carry him in one-half of what you are today! What unique qualities did Steve possess? You should know he is in you. What were his or her interests or wishes? You should know, you lived close to him for these years. To insure that the meaning of your dad’s life continues after death, you can’t dwell on your feelings of loss indefinitely. If you allow them to consume you, your focus becomes fixed on you – your rage, your sorrow, and your loneliness – rather than the person who is gone. There is nothing that can stay in your mind, there is nothing that can stay in your heart, that you do not willingly remember. You can remember only that which you want to. Shift your focus to doing justice to that person’s memory, and your pain will begin to diminish. I promise this is true Robert, if in each day you define your human choices and commitments, and you gain clarity about them, and you also take time to feel the forces of the Divine in you, then I can promise you that your actions in earth will be extremely beneficial and effective, whether they are turned toward education, toward business, toward art, toward philosophy, toward any human endeavor. Your actions in earth life will be magnificent, and be a source of great pride to your father, mother and the rest of this family. Every day Dexter loved the work he did. It is said whatever you do, don't do it halfway, and my brother certainly did not. Steve had such a confidence in himself, and no one could come close to matching his certainty. Self-confidence is the inner feeling of certainty. It is a feeling of certainty about who you are and what you have to offer to the world. It is also the feeling that you are worthwhile and valuable. Robert: Self-confidence is not acting like you are better than others. Self-confidence is not feeling like you are better than others. Self-confidence never feels false. It is not something that you should feel guilty for wanting. Self-confidence is not the ability to step on others or promote yourself by tearing someone else down. Think about this, and you will see this is what your dad’s behavior mirrored. Robert, my brother pushed my buttons and I pushed his, but nonetheless we had a lot of love for each other and a good understanding of one another. Steve also mirrored the phrase “A lot of the things we do, don’t work out. So what? Better to die trying than to not try at all”. Think on this and you will see your dad saying these words. My brother did not speak out a lot. He was definitely the quiet one in our family (quite the opposite of me in my earlier years). Over the years, I learned to listen to him when he spoke. The lesson I speak of here: Think before you open your mouth. If you force your opinion on others all the time, your words have less weight. If you pick your battles carefully, people will be anxious to hear what you have to say when you do choose to speak. I know for a fact Dex lived his life passionately and purposefully without taking it too seriously. Steve was one of the people I first noticed who truly lived as his authentic self. He never tried to be someone he was not. Each of us is blessed with unique gifts and talents. We are each a piece in a three-dimensional puzzle of life, striving to figure out where we fit. And just like a puzzle, life is incomplete without us. Each of us is important to the whole. Steve embodies this as well as anybody I have ever observed. Steve broke this “code” and was better for it. Steve worked diligently to ensure Robert learned this too. Robert, I guess what I am trying to say here is to live your life. You fit in by being yourself. As I watched and listened to Dex when he was dialoging (that is correct not a monologue) with his son Robert, I became intensely aware of the four basic standards of a true leader. Character is about being and becoming a moral example, which he was actively doing. Steve had character. Even though most of us aren’t going to have our legacies recorded in the history books, that shouldn’t keep us from being people of character, nor deter us from setting a good example to the people we have the privilege of influencing. People of character are authentic. They understand that integrity is more important than image. Image is what others think you are. Integrity is the real you. Parents are the first and foremost teachers of character. Dexter did this. Choices, which are about thinking clearly and making wise decisions, which is what I witnessed Robert learning to do, under Steve’s careful tutelage. Careful decision-making requires a sense of right and wrong rooted in character. Conduct, which is about doing the right things consistently well, and where Robert and Dex ended up, and Consequences, which are about having the harvest of what’s sown. What Steve was doing with Robert was planting love in Robert’s heart and watered it with wisdom and life’s lessons. These four standards build upon each other. Character, or lack of it, influences our choices. Choices have a direct bearing on our conduct. Conduct helps determine our consequences. And consequences are a reflection of our character, choices and conduct. What a wonderful legacy Dex has left us! My brother was a true mentor before the phrase became common. There are several things I learned from observing Dex and Robert, some of which are: a focus on solving the problem; not affixing blame, there is no judgment about right or wrong, good or bad, moral or immoral, simply a concern for behavior and its consequences (I would like to note this is a lot of what is now being taught in the top business schools in the country). He was breaking ground, but not overly impressed with himself. Dex was making sure Robert had a grounding in self perception and esteem. Robert, do not allow others to make your path for you (if Steve represented anything, he represented this philosophy the most). It is your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position. If your dad were sitting here he would make the same admonishment. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions. What you believe in today is who you become tomorrow. No one can be assured of another day, but we must live each day fully, in flesh and most of all in spirit. The real contest is always between what you've done and what you're capable of doing. You measure yourself against yourself and nobody else. Steve had a vision of Robert; the vision means in this sense affirming Robert, believing in him, and helping Robert realize his potential. This is the greatest gift he could pass on, one of true leadership. I would like to think Steve did this in all of his relations with those around him. He knew down to his core self he mattered, and what he did truly belonged in this world. He had the magic of feeling good about himself, regardless of how another responded to him, then his own self worth was not tied to his story of how others saw him or respond to him. That's REAL freedom. He never looked for gratification outside of himself from a type of schooling, job, another person, a parent, or even a particular response from someone. He used his own unique perspective and talents to create his own authentic world, where he was himself always, never fake, false, or judgmental. Dex’s true individual self is one who doesn't need the approval of others in order to know the peace of mind he finds in being just himself. Since he took responsibility for his own mattering, he brought a clean connection to his relationships with others -- not looking for them to fulfill something he wanted. I personally witnessed this several times while observing him work with Robert. Steve continues to be a model of moral authority through his service, his humility, and his contribution Adversity can lead to patience, poverty to greater gratitude, hardship tenacity, loss can teach appreciation, but getting to the awareness and understand of these life lessons is what is the most important lesson. Steve dealt with adversity better than most people I ever met, his tenacity unparalleled, and he earned his way to his position in life. Steve and I both loved the game of golf. It was a passion for both of us, and he absolutely refused to even “bend” the rules of the game. He had that much respect for the game. Golf is a game of honor, and recognizing that a transgression has occurred and taking responsibility for the transgression is a part of the game. This one act instills integrity and fairness to all concerned. Here are some of my thoughts on our game of golf which has evolved over the years. It seems I have become a bit of a philosopher of the game. Steve knew these truisms of golf, and conducted himself accordingly. Golf requires that you show courtesy to others and that you communicate with respect. It is well stated that good sportsmanship must be exhibited at all times and that all play is ended with an exchange of a hand shake. If you are late to the tee box, you are automatically disqualified, no questions asked (value your time and that of others as well). Golf requires an amazing amount of concentration, and quiet is required at all times on the golf course. It also gives you the silence necessary to connect with your true being. Golf has always been optimal for that. Golf is a tough sport. It requires that you not only know the physics of hitting the ball (and what club to use when) but requires intense mental and emotional concentration. Silencing the inner critic after a bad shot; is crucial to regaining clear focus, which is an advanced skill to learn but one that can take you very far in life. Steve proves these theories of golf by practicing, making corrections along the way, being open to coaching, and being persistent we can tackle most of life's tough challenges. Focus on Results. Every golf stroke creates a result. Sometimes the ball goes in the hole; sometimes it goes out of bounds. Golfers tend to focus (1) on the result they would have preferred, which is merely wishful thinking, or (2) on beating themselves up for being so stupid, which is painful. Learn from every swing. Observe the results you actually get. Life never lies, and neither does golf! Robert, I am going to take some liberty with you here. This is advice I feel your dad would be giving, or would continue to give you as you grew up. If you possibly can, use your skills and your time to make a difference. Given all the ways you could use your skills and your valuable time, pick something that serves the greater good. Don’t settle for “whatever.” Be serious, but don’t take yourself too seriously. I want you to remember for the rest of your life on this earth that you were never created to be the slave of any negative thought or feeling, that you were never created to be the subject of some limitation. Dare to be great, because true greatness (true courage) doesn't lie in the absence of fear, but in our ability to use it and, in so doing, transcend the very nature of fear itself. You do this when you take your potential in your sporting activities to the very edge, something I saw your dad do often while skiing. Character cannot be contrived. If it is contrived it will only fool people for a little while. Like a person you know who says he is one thing but whose daily behavior suggests another. Your dad had this character, and he was respected up and down the valley for it. Robert, search only your own conscience for confirmation of what is good and true; this is the best definition of integrity. That which is good and true is not social in nature, but spiritual in need and in deed. Find your passion in life. If you choose a job simply because it pays well, you'll end up bitter, bored and unfulfilled. If you do what you love for a living, you'll never work another day in your life. Your dad was more than simply lucky; he figured this out early in life, and he never had to “work” in the sense I mean here. Make your own luck. Don't sit back and resent others for getting ahead. Consider what they've done to make opportunities come their way, and realize that being "lucky" requires hard work and planning. If you flat-line your way through life, you may avoid some bumpy patches, but you'll also miss the big payoff - the thrill of taking a chance and succeeding beyond your own expectations. There's no such thing as making a mistake as long as you learn from it. We've all done dumb things in our lives. Instead of beating yourself up over it, figure out what you did wrong, and make sure it doesn't happen again in the future. This is just like snow-boarding, mountain bike racing, or your martial arts efforts.