Usaf Ribbon Rack - If you know anything about generals, you know that they usually wear a lot of ribbons on their dress uniforms. These strips of colored fabric, sometimes called "chest candy" by service members, symbolize career achievements. So when someone walks into a room with a box that looks like it's covered in paint samples from the hardware store, they're sending the message that they've "been there" and "done that."
That's what pilots noticed when Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, the new commander of the Air Mobility Command, removed nearly all of his 32 ribbons from his uniform for a final official photo. Of those 32 ribbons, Minihan retained only three on his chest, all of which were based on units rather than individual awards. One of Minihan's public affairs officials said the general's intention was to demonstrate his commitment to team performance rather than individual glory.
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"Gen. Minihan's decision to wear these three ribbons is consistent with AFI 36-2903's recommendation to wear 'all or some' [ribbons], and the few he has chosen are consistent with his team-oriented approach to leadership.” — Lindsey Wilkinson, Associate Director of Public Affairs Air Mobility Command, said Task & Purpose.
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The press secretary reported that during his tenure as deputy commander of the US Armed Forces. The Indo-Pacific Command began wearing fewer ribbons on its service uniform from 2019 to 2021.
"Gen. Minihan has decided to reduce the number of awards he wears on his clothing for certain events, including retirements and promotions in honor of others,” Wilkinson said. "He feels that the event should not be about him or his achievements, but about the member he should be honoring or recognizing."
US Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, right, the incoming Air Mobility Command commander, receives his new rank during a promotion ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Oct. 5, 2021. Minihan was promoted to the rank of general. (US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaac Olivera)
Ribbons left on Minihan's uniform include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters, the Unit Merit Award with four oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Distinguished Unit Award with the letter "V" for valor and two silver leaf clusters, Wilkinson said. An oak leaf cluster represents each time an individual received an award, a silver leaf cluster represents five separate oak leaf clusters; and "V" stands for personal valor in combat, according to the Air Force.
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Although his commander profile does not list each of his 32 ribbons, it states that Minihan received three Legions of Honor, six Air Medals, seven Air Achievement Medals, the Republic of Korea Cheonsu Medal, the by the President of South Korea for "outstanding services". in the interest of national security," and the Order of St. Mauritius, which honors individuals who have made "significant contributions to the support of the infantry," according to the National Infantry Association.
Minihan's decision may seem like nothing more than a unique wardrobe choice for a four-star general, but it immediately sparked an outcry on social media, especially in circles frequented by current and former military members.
"Minihan is one of the most amazing officers the Air Force has," one commenter said in response to a post about Minihan's number of tapes on Reddit. The comment received 221 points, that is, hundreds of viewers shared the commenter's opinion.
"This man cares about his flyers 100%," the commenter continued. “I'm very happy that he has this job. He's going to knock it out of the park.
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“He's the epitome of a hard hitting [tactical athlete],” said another. “Definitely one of the best managers I've ever had the pleasure of working with. This is such a win for AMC.”
Lt. Gen. Michael Minihan (center) flies a C-130J Super Hercules over central Arkansas, Sept. 17, 2021. Minihan, a pilot-in-command with more than 3,400 flight hours, completed his C-130J chief officer training during a recent visit to LRAFB . Minihan was promoted to general before taking over Air Mobility Command on Oct. 5, 2021. (US Air Force photo by Airman Sgt. Jayden Ford)
An airman who worked in aircraft maintenance at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and as a flight engineer at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, when Minihan was there, told Task & Purpose that Minihan was "always available, you never felt, that you need to be on your toes around it.
The four-star general "always made you feel like you were the only person who mattered when the two of you talked," said the airman, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
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"You could see the commander lifting weights as he strapped in and took control of the plane, and he always wanted to know about the younger crew members he hadn't flown with before," the pilot said.
"He asked where you're from, how long you've been flying, do you have kids, a wife, etc.," the airman said, referring to Minihan's service as a C-130 Hercules, KC-10 Extender pilot and C - 32 transport aircraft.
Other commentators described Minihan as a "stand-up guy", a "down-to-earth dude" and a "pretty awesome commander". It's a rare accolade on an Air Force subreddit that routinely criticizes service leadership. One pilot, who said he suffered a mental breakdown during the large-scale exercise, recalled that Minihan had turned over responsibility for the exercise to a lower-ranking commander so he could check on the pilot.
"He got another message that one of his pilots was in distress, and he threw everything [operational readiness training] at [the task force commander] and
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To where I was to make sure everything was okay," the pilot wrote on Reddit. “I would follow the Mini everywhere. I envy everything about AMC and want to go back to work for them.
Lt. Gen. Michael Minihan, center, speaks with a group of pilots before flying a C-130J Super Hercules at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Sept. 17, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Air Chief Jaden Ford)
If all this praise sounds exaggerated, remember that the Air Force, like many of its sister services, struggles with mental health and suicide, which many pilots attribute to poor leadership. Minihan's efforts to stand up for his pilots had an impact, and for someone as high up in the military food chain as a four-star general to give up his personal ribbons further underscores that dedication.
Air Mobility Command will need such guidance going forward. The command provides airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation to keep the rest of the Army fighting around the world. The command made headlines earlier this year for its key role in transporting 124,000 people from Afghanistan in the final days of the 20-year US war there. As the U.S. military prepares for long-range combat in a possible future conflict with China, the command is also facing a completely deadlocked process to acquire its next aerial refueler, which the military desperately needs as the current fleet is decimated. part.
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However he chooses to address these issues, Minihan seems to want to do it one way: with his Airmen. As Wilkinson said, the general "believes that any success he has is a reflection of the Airmen and members of the Joint Services that he has had the honor of leading and serving alongside him during his 32 years of service."
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David covers the Air Force, Space Force and all things Star Wars. He joined Task & Purpose in 2019 after covering local Maine news and FDA politics in Washington, DC. David enjoys hearing the stories of individual Airmen and their families and sharing the human side of America's most technologically advanced military branch. Contact the author here.
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