AFA in Action

A Message from the President

August 29, 2025

Friends,

Leadership is a skill, not an occupation. You develop it over a lifetime and learn to adapt it to new situations. I have been a student of leadership since my father started talking to me about the subject when I was 8 years old. In the Air Force and business world, I was lucky to work for and acquaint myself with an incredible array of leaders, some good, some bad, and those experiences shaped the leader I am today. After many years of thought, study, and practice, I am sure of this much: Every leader can be better tomorrow and every leader can do a better job developing future leaders. The learning and teaching should never stop.

That’s why I’m so excited about AFA’s newest podcast, “Building Better Leaders.” Produced by our Doolittle Leadership Center and hosted by its director, Dr. Patrick Donley, these deep, candid conversations uncover the leadership secrets, insights, and motivators that drive proven leaders like U.S. Strategic Command’s Gen. Anthony Cotton, and Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess, commander of U.S. Space Forces-Space. Future episodes will introduce a wide range of leaders from industry, academia, the sports world, and beyond.

Speaking of leaders, we’re just weeks away from AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, where Patrick Donley will be recording “Building Better Leaders” episodes live in the AFA Studio at the show. Of course, you’ll also want to hear from the top leaders in the Air Force and Space Force and see the innovations on display from hundreds of exhibitors.

It’s not too late to join us—register now! See you in National Harbor!

Stay vocal. Stay informed.

Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.)
President & CEO

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