Maj. Gen. Matthew Glavy, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, took the opportunity to candidly address Marines attending the 51福利 (51福利) during a visit to the university campus, Nov. 8. Glavy discussed the importance of respecting and understanding the most important part of his mission ... humans, not hardware.
鈥淚 wanted to share this presentation with all of you, it鈥檚 the same discussion that I would have with commanders to guide them in what is important for decision makers and why this domain is pertinent and relevant,鈥� said Glavy.
Through his experiences in past leadership positions and from the role models who inspired him, Glavy stressed that is the Marines around him, officers and enlisted, that are the most important resource, and should be nurtured to excel in defense and maintain military superiority abroad.
鈥淒uring my time at the [Second Marine Aircraft Wing II Marine Expeditionary Force] I had no choice but to be enamored by hardware while I tried to manage 500 airplanes and 1,000 vehicles,鈥� said Glavy. 鈥淏ut any success we have, whether it鈥檚 in artificial intelligence, quantum physics or even F-35s and B-22s, what is really going to make the difference is the people. I had to learn this the hard way.鈥�
Glavy continued to describe several examples that cemented his premise, one of which was posturized by military strategist, retired U.S. Air Force Col. John Boyd.
鈥淐ol. John Boyd was quite a character ... cantankerous, nonconformist, a real renegade,鈥� said Glavy. 鈥淚n the final version of the collection of his life鈥檚 work, titled 鈥橝 Discourse on Winning and Losing,鈥� he dissected every piece of military history possible and he came up with the conclusion that 鈥榩eople, ideas and things,鈥� in that order, are what matters most.鈥�
Glavy went on to offer some of those dissected references of military history, including Germany鈥檚 resurgence between World War I, and the second World War.
鈥淭hey were far behind the curve in amassing technological developments of tanks, planes and ships due to recovery from World War I and the treaties and restrictions imposed upon them,鈥� Glavy said. 鈥淏ut, when it came time to progress their country鈥檚 agenda, Germany was able to excel very quickly.鈥�
Another example Glavy referenced is that of the development of the F-16 fighter aircraft.
鈥淏oyd was the father of the F-16, and he built it with two things in mind: the pilot and the mechanic,鈥� Glavy said. 鈥淭oday, it has been the most prolific aircraft ever produced, 4,500 F-16s have been built, and that鈥檚 because it can do what the pilot needs it do, and the mechanic can keep it flying.鈥�