June Luncheon Features STRATCOM Commander

In June, Gen. Anthony Cotton, USAF, commander, U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter discussing STRATCOM needs. Gen. Cotton said his major objective is recruiting the right kind of STEM personnel. He reflected back to 1992 when the threat was nation-states making advances on the world scene. We've come full circle. For the past 25 years, Russia has been rebuilding and modernizing, threatening to pose the same threat as it once did. He talked about deMIRVING missiles as a lieutenant colonel. Now, as the STRATCOM commander, he's being asked how we are reMIRVING our missiles. Gen. Cotton commented that we are modernizing to ensure we remain fully capable 60 years from now. He talked about the commercial that claims, 'We're not your father's Oldsmobile.' Similarly, he doesn't want to be known as the "nuclear guy" but rather, someone who shows a more modernized "strategic deterrence" responsibility to the nation. Gen. Cotton discussed his challenge of making sure managers are hiring the right kind of students. He pointed out that to accomplish 21st-century deterrence, he needs 21st-century thinkers. His second challenge is a peer dilemma-How do we appropriately market and brand STEM as an exciting career? Gen Cotton. reiterated that he's a combatant commander and must ensure he provides the president with all options so he has ample decision space. Gen. Cotton concluded by pointing out that anything less than success is failure, and he finds that basic, simple and profound at the same time.

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