An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

"Asking a fish to explain water," and other questions from the AETC Symposium

  • Published
  • By Capt. John Severns
  • AETC Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When Col. Brett Morris, director of research for the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, gives a presentation; he likes to open by provoking his audience.

"I start by asking people, 'Can you explain American culture to me?'" he said. "It's like asking a fish to explain water; because we are so immersed in our culture, we don't see our own biases."

Our biases, and those of other cultures, are part of his seminar on the differences between American and Arab culture, one of more than 70 seminars being offered at the 2009 AETC Symposium here in San Antonio Jan. 15 and 16.

The symposium is an academic and technical showcase for the future of the Air Force, with seminars organized around five "discussion tracks" and a technology expo hosted by the Alamo chapter of the Air Force Association. Colonel Morris's seminar, part of the International Understanding discussion track, is just one of many that focus on the human aspect of war fighting.

Another discussion track, Education and Training Innovations, will include seminars on the future of Air Force training, as well as efforts to infuse officer and enlisted Airmen with a warrior mentality.

Lt. Col. Tony Moninski, the officer in charge of Air University's effort to retool the Air and Space Basic Course, will discuss changes to that course to ingrain new officers with a "warrior ethos."

"The original ASBC focused a lot on doctrine and team building, but not so much on the actual war-fighting role of the Airman," he said. "The new course will focus on developing a warrior ethos in new lieutenants. Starting in March, we'll be adding hand-to-hand to the curriculum, and replacing some of the operational-level lessons with combat skills training and a wing-level exercise."

He continued, "We'll continue to emphasize the 'family business,' teaching lieutenants how the Air Force brings air, space, and cyberspace power to the fight, while instilling an expeditionary mindset early in their careers."

Airmen who attend the Operational Skills discussion track seminars will be able to discuss lessons from the current conflicts and the role of air power in counterinsurgencies. The other two tracks are Leadership and Distance and Future Learning.

For a complete list of tracks and seminars, or to register, go to www.aetcsymposium.com. Travel is being provided by military air from most wings, and both lodging and registration expenses are reimbursable.