Good leaders display character Published Aug. 7, 2007 By Chief Master Sgt. Franklin Smith Twentieth Air Force Command Chief F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- For members of the profession of arms, character is, and will be, tested every minute of every day. Today's leaders must possess the courage of character, the courage to base one's character on a set of consistent beliefs or a conviction to one's value system. Courageous character traits identified in great Air Force leaders are infectious and inspirational to those who they are entrusted to lead. American history is replete with courageous acts by those who inspired their followers and, at times, the nation. One of the best, if not the best, example of courageous leadership that every Airman should be able to recount was the courage of character displayed by Gen. Billy Mitchell when he stood up to an institution that was unwilling to see the need for change. Because of Billy Mitchell, we all have the privilege of wearing Air Force blue. He stared down the threats of a court-martial and public humiliation for his beliefs in the inherent benefits of air power. He saw the need for an independent Air Force, one that would organize, train and equip air forces outside the influences from the Army. The need for change existed, and General Mitchell resisted all of the forces from within the Army that wanted to ensure that change never came to fruition. Character is manifested in every day behavior by the way we make decisions and take action. How well do you align your thoughts and actions with the mission and the chain of command? Are you well read and well versed with the issues of the day, at both local and national levels? I advocate a developmental approach to your everyday actions. Begin with a reading program in which you educate yourself on the important issues. This educational endeavor will inform your choices and actions and help you understand when you need to align your thoughts and actions with the mission and the chain of command. As leaders, we expect you to believe in something. If you display unwavering character and are consistent in your beliefs, you will gain the trust from those that are expected to follow you. Leaders throughout history have had conviction even in the face of staunch disagreement. The one thing all successful leaders have had in common is that their followers have been loyal to their steadfast commitment to a set of values that served the welfare of our great nation. Followers do not have to agree with their leaders, they only have to trust them to do the right thing. Most importantly in all of this is being consistent, clear and honest in not only words but deeds. If our leaders are consistent in showing the courage of character, they will gain the trust from the masses. Present and future Air Force leaders can hardly be successful without leading by example and portraying values that mirror the institutional values that are good for our country. Whenever we are in doubt, the Air Force core values are the perfect guide and should always serve as the foundation for our actions.