Brigadier General Robin Olds Jr. was an Air Force officer and later an Air Force pilot from 1943 to 1973. From an early age, Olds was surrounded by great fighter pilots who mentored his leadership skills. His character was also influenced by his father; Robin Olds Sr. Olds' character was tested many times as a cadet at West Point and as an Air Force officer at the squadron and wing levels. Robin Olds was a leader of character through early influences and training, experience as a fighter pilot in World War II, and his leadership skills as a wing commander in Vietnam. When Robin Olds Jr. was a child, his father helped guide his son's character development. His father, Captain (later Major General) Robert Olds Sr., was a fighter pilot in World War I who worked with the young Robin Olds and introduced him to many of the Air Force's greatest officers, including Hap Arnold and Tooey Spaatz. These visits from his father's friends helped solidify Olds' vision of becoming a fighter pilot, as demonstrated when he says that "the brotherhood of pilots impressed [him] as much as the thrill of flying" (Olds and Rasimus 6). Although Olds' father was an important influence, his time at West Point was equally influential and also tested Olds' character. One day, Olds and a friend went to New York City on a weekend off. Olds grabbed a “scotch and a soda” and when he returned to check in he was confronted by “a guy who seemed to be harboring a personal vendetta” (Olds and Rasimus 16). When finally asked if he had had anything to drink, Olds truthfully answered yes and was demoted from cadet captain to private. Olds could have easily said no, but instead he chose to uphold the honor code and responded with the truth. After graduating from West Point, Olds finds himself with... middle of paper... lots and maintenance crews. Olds used his influence and these principles of character to help the officers, airmen, and civilians under him. When he needed to get his permission, Olds made sure that all soldiers, rather than just him, were taken care of. Olds did the same on the Braniff 707, making sure everyone on board was treated equally. Olds never wanted special treatment and often went out of his way to make sure his subordinates were properly cared for. Old's actions throughout his life demonstrate that he was a true leader of character. Works Cited Millett, Allan Reed., Peter Maslowski, and William B. Feis. For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012. New York: Free, 2012. Print.Olds, Christina and Ed Rasimus. Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2010. Print

Topic > Brigadier General Robin Olds Jr. was an Air Force officer and later an Air Force pilot from 1943 to 1973. From an early age, Olds was surrounded by great fighter pilots who mentored his leadership skills. His character was also influenced by his father; Robin Olds Sr. Olds' character was tested many times as a cadet at West Point and as an Air Force officer at the squadron and wing levels. Robin Olds was a leader of character through early influences and training, experience as a fighter pilot in World War II, and his leadership skills as a wing commander in Vietnam. When Robin Olds Jr. was a child, his father helped guide his son's character development. His father, Captain (later Major General) Robert Olds Sr., was a fighter pilot in World War I who worked with the young Robin Olds and introduced him to many of the Air Force's greatest officers, including Hap Arnold and Tooey Spaatz. These visits from his father's friends helped solidify Olds' vision of becoming a fighter pilot, as demonstrated when he says that "the brotherhood of pilots impressed [him] as much as the thrill of flying" (Olds and Rasimus 6). Although Olds' father was an important influence, his time at West Point was equally influential and also tested Olds' character. One day, Olds and a friend went to New York City on a weekend off. Olds grabbed a “scotch and a soda” and when he returned to check in he was confronted by “a guy who seemed to be harboring a personal vendetta” (Olds and Rasimus 16). When finally asked if he had had anything to drink, Olds truthfully answered yes and was demoted from cadet captain to private. Olds could have easily said no, but instead he chose to uphold the honor code and responded with the truth. After graduating from West Point, Olds finds himself with... middle of paper... lots and maintenance crews. Olds used his influence and these principles of character to help the officers, airmen, and civilians under him. When he needed to get his permission, Olds made sure that all soldiers, rather than just him, were taken care of. Olds did the same on the Braniff 707, making sure everyone on board was treated equally. Olds never wanted special treatment and often went out of his way to make sure his subordinates were properly cared for. Old's actions throughout his life demonstrate that he was a true leader of character. Works Cited Millett, Allan Reed., Peter Maslowski, and William B. Feis. For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012. New York: Free, 2012. Print.Olds, Christina and Ed Rasimus. Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2010. Print