CJCS Reading List about more than just books

Published June 19, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rau
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - -- The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, recently released his 2012 reading list in support of his commitment to the Profession of Arms and the development of Joint Force 2020.

The CJCS Reading List consists of 18 different books all designed to capture the values and ethos of military profession, promote innovative thinking to prepare for the operational realities of an uncertain future, and provide insights into the foundations of our service cultures, explained Dempsey in his Chairman's Reading List statement.

These books are soon to be available at the Buckley Education and Training Office to assist Team Buckley with its professional development. A concept that remains critically important to the joint forces.

"Professional development is the corner-stone to cultivate tomorrow's leaders and should be a career, or more importantly, a lifelong pursuit," explained Chief Master Sgt. William Ward, 460th Space Wing command chief. "When we open our minds to new ideas and perspectives it inspires analytical thought and innovative problem solving; two essential skills indispensible for today's military leader."

The reading list also gives individuals a chance to catch up on their professional development and expand their personal knowledge.

"Professional development is important, because without it we grow stagnant," said Mariesha C. Vargas, Buckley's education and training chief. "It expands your knowledge basis, sharpens your critical thinking skills and gives you that distinctive edge."

As for a recommendation from the reading list, Ward gives military leaders a couple of starting points.

"George Washington and the American Military Tradition, by author Don Higginbotham, and Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, written by Simon Sinek, endows the reader with superb studies of leadership," said Ward. "Although these selections focus on different aspects of leadership, they both have the potential to impart tangible action every Airman can take in leading others to mission accomplishment."

Vargas on the other hand, provides a recommendation for a book that looks back into history to give the military possible advantages in future conflicts.

"I really enjoyed On War by Clausewitz," said Vargas. "In this age of high-tech tactics and asymmetrical warfare, it is important to remember that how we fight will change over the centuries, but the principles of war are timeless."