General Welsh Speech to USAFA

[SANTACLAUS1919]

Im waiting to here whether ive been appointed to the Academy.... March 26th... nervous as hell...in my application ive been asked many a time why i want to go to the academy... this great american sums it up perfectly... i hope to earn my place among the heros he named... and hope to be able to meet this man's challenges... great speech...

[TheTarung1793]

Respect.

[pocahontas411]

ABSOLUTELY INSPIRING......



[xmethuselahx]

Wow.....I don't even really know what to say. I'm blown away. I'm already very proud of the men and women of the U.S. military.

People like this give me hope for the future.

[sbuzzkill]

Hooah.

[dineroRM]

Inspiring speaker. Held back some man tears.

This man made me realize that I need to rededicate myself to my future men and women.

[brandtaylor93]

I'm in air force tech school right now, what I'd give to go through the academy

[MikeJones0911]

@brandtaylor93 Good luck in tech school and keep in mind that just about everything that this General talked about in his speech applies to enlisted as well. Maybe not on as great of a scale, but if you stay in you will be put in the same leadership type of positions as the Airmen mentioned in this video. Just make sure you are like the Tech Sergeant that knew that his Staff Sergeant was in need and don't be like many other leaders out there that don't care about their troops.

[Cyberwolv]

Great speech by a great leader; I'm so glad I watched this!

[MrDelforce]

Such a great man and so inspiring. Thank you to all members of the armed forces past, present, and future!

[ouel1]

A great American speaking of great Americans. Makes me proud to have served.

Al O. CMSgt (Ret)

[FASTfenris]

Respekt...

[ptwob413]

I'm so honored I was there for this. Absolutely incredible speaker

[Cprovence11]

That is the greatest speech ive ever heard in my entire life.

[NittanyLion15]

I cannot wait to be apart of the greatest Air Force in the world and to lead the greatest men and women in the world. Four more years until commissioning; counting down the days. God bless all the service men and women.

[av8er41891]

It is amazing how General Welsh knows every name and job of these men and women by heart. He is real.

[Htownlive]

Motivating, nuff said!!

[CrackshotP51]

that was amazing. now who the hell gave this 7 dislikes!? im surprised this has any.

[oshaboy]

Thank you General Welsh for your service and thank you to all of the men and women of our armed forces who put themselves in harm's way each day. As Americans, many times, we do not deserve the military that we have. Thank you for maintaining excellence.

[ertresq1]

The most inspiring presentation I have ever experienced. Our nation is incredibly fortunate to have leaders such as General Welsh. Thank you General for the most valuable hour that I have ever spent in front of a computer.

[wsu1858delt]

7 people are terrorists

[wineethadharmaseeli]

Interesting, I am very proud of u

[viperdriver76]

I had the honor of being one of Mark's doolie roommates at the "Trade School". Super person - more honor, integrity, and character in him than all the politicians he has to work with combined. Good to know that our military does produce such leaders, even if they are overseen by corrupt, useless politicians.

[Tranacria]

Twenty-two Years in the military…best damn speech I’ve ever heard.

[MoSooner2]

From Obamanations-- After looking at Gen Welsh, I am embarrassed, really embarrassed that this country would elect such a despicable, incompetent buffoon like Barack Obama to be our Commander-in-Chief. This piece of political corruption is the farthest thing from leadership one could conceivably imagine. We, as a nation, cannot allow political machines to put disasters in our Oval Office to control the greatest nation on earth. We need to find, nurture, and elect true leaders.

[tjotwo]

@MoSooner2

Thanks for expressing this! I had the same thoughts. What kind of a joke for a CnC do we have who chooses slimeballs to advise him, bows to other national leaders, and apologizes for our nation when he is surrounmded with character, integrity, and commitment like this!

[ristin59]

Amazing speech, a great leader!

[BeaVanni]

Amazing speech and a reminder that what the military does for the nation take guts! Thank you, General Welch, for developing such an inspiration speech and reminding so many of us that our service mattered--every day, every hour, every minute.

[MrTFagan]

Wow, Very inspiring! I to know MSgt Decker, one hell of a guy!

[stevied9100]

8:40 , Bart Decker is my dad! I am so proud of him!! And I am so thankful for all of those who serve in the military!!! Such an AMAZING speech!!!

[Viper0619811]

Wow, unbeleivable speech...makes me proud to serve and wear the uniform!

[wildbill118]

Never, in a long military career have I heard such a stirring and inspirational talk on the values and standards we should aspire to as leaders at all levels. Wonderful.

[synchroniz3r]

truly inspirational.

[ImALovah]

wow powerful stuff

amazing speaker

[darrenapriest]

I've never heard anything like this - incredibly moving.

[wp4565775]

3 cowards now.

[AirForceFalcons100]

3 people are communists

[tzetter]

True modern warrior. "Leadership is a gift given by those who follow" amazing example of true leadership in action.

[kjstearns87]

Fabulous. Thank you for serving our beautiful nation. It is veteran's Day. Thank you to all of you  who serve with dignity for all.

[thebnest]

Powerful video. THANK YOU for sharing this with the world. Fantastic story.

[khouin1]

General Welsh, thank you. 27 years, Two services. Now in the Army as a civilian and this is the best speech I have seen by any military leader.

[nuyork143]

WOW!

[RalphCelento]

This speech was very inspirational! General Welsh is a leader and he told the Cadets and other people in attendance what it means to be a leader. I pray that his words hit home with everyone watching either at the AF Academy or on this You-Tube video. After serving 30 years in the AF myself and being a the son of a US Navy Sailor I was touched by his words and encourage all my brothers and sisters of the US Armed Forces past, present and future to watch this.

[sactanker]

I Have herd many a speech in my 30 years in the Air Force, but never one like that of Gen. Welsh at the AFA. I hope everyone of those cadets was paying attention and taking notes, both mentally and on paper.I always made it my primary concern to be the leader that Gen. Welsh was talking about. I have been retired from the USAF some 31 years, but I still keep up with the Air Force. I rate this speech OUTSTANDING. Should be a must viewing for all Air Force members.

[bethel98]

When my USAFA graduate neighbor encouraged me to watch this video, I was not enthused when I saw it's 50 minute long. I'm retired Army, had never heard of General Welsh, and am busy. What a mistake it would have been to have passed on this. It was among the best 50 minutes I ever spent. This should be required viewing for all leaders, but General Welsh's mix of wisdom, humor, and speaking skill makes the time go by quickly and the viewer will come away a better person for having watched it.

[ptwob413]

@bethel98 our commander did make it mandatory lol.......definitely a good call

[CPTChelle]

One of the best speeches I have seen given, great job. It was an honor to watch.

[AmazingOllie09]

I'm speechless and absolutely moved by that speech! We need more leaders like this and hopefully the cadets in that audience paid attention. It's not every day you get to listen to someone like that!!!

[DGonsal760]

I have never served. Our Son is an Officer in the Air Force. We have always been very proud of him. Today after watching the General speak TWICE. We are humbled by his life choice to Serve. Thank you, Sir for an insight so keen.

[atchy12]

Wow! I definitely have to agree with everyone...this is easily the best speech I have ever heard! General Welsh epitomizes the type of leader every one of us USAFA cadets/grads must strive to become. Thank you so much for the wisdom, perspective and motivation you provided to the countless men and women in uniform who will see this! God bless you all! - Atch

[mainesailor]

This is the best speech that I have ever heard..

[mainesailor]

This is the best speech that I have ever heard.

[Davieboy144]

1 person dislikes America.

[MrGreenBayPacker12]

@Davieboy144 Yet only 300 people (of the 27,000 who have viewed) have liked this... how embarrassing.

[oteson19]

@MrGreenBayPacker12 I didnt realize you needed to click one of two buttons on an internet video to show your understanding and patriotism

[Orgasmosexicon]

@Davieboy144 No, I think they just dislike the video. They never clicked on the "Dislike USA" button.

[killingkillian]

@Orgasmosexicon So what your saying is that you hate America and have no sense of humour?

It's intended as a joke. The formula being:

[# of dislikes] + [negative action] + [something in the video] = Funny

Don't get me wrong, they're rarely funny, but the fact that you don't even seem to comprehend it as a joke speaks volumes to your intelligence.

[Orgasmosexicon]

@killingkillian So what you're showing is inability to READ and extreme stupidity.

Go back, get Mommy to help you read the post. *rolleyes*

[Orgasmosexicon]

@killingkillian You apparently couldn't comprehend WHAT I SAID, you dumbass. What does that say about YOUR MORONIC LACK OF INTELLIGENCE? LOL

[bschilpp]

Unbelievable, he is an inspiration and I'm honored to have met him.

[gabo12e30]

Amazing!!!

[geusebio15]

Why aren't awesome military officers running this country?

[BenCraycraft]

I'm a grad from '03. Then BG Welsh was my commandant. He consistently delivered these types of moving, inspiring lectures. At the time I thought he was embellishing some of the facts and stories to increase the impact of his speech. I have since seen what he talked about in this briefing. There are AMAZING people in the Air Force that every cadet who graduates will get a chance to lead. Take what he said seriously, because they all expect great things from you as an Academy grad.

[dhstephens]

After 19+ years in the AF, this is at the top, if not THE top, of all speeches that I've ever heard! Don't gloss over parts, watch the entire 50minutes, you won't be disappointed and you'll see why we are proud to wear the uniform, especially seeing this from my deployed location in the middle east, makes me even more proud to serve!

[osufanaws11]

@dhstephens Thank you for your service, it means the world to me.

[tlages]

That was awesome.

[spazatistically]

way to go for putting this up Ben Brown!

[wchubi]

As a 3-deg, I did not have the pleasure of seeing this in person. After watching it now, I can honestly say I have never been more motivated. Gen Welsh, thank you sir, and I hope I have the honor and privilege to make a difference.

[duckboy81]

One of the best parts -> 46:31

[davidchui123]

Even though the person that linked this to us probably doesn't think most freshman are going to watch this, but the ones that are watching this appreciate him.

[JustBetch]

It was legitimately an honor to be here for this speech. I don't care if I was just one of 2000+ people in that auditorium, this was personal and it was powerful. It is leaders like Gen. Welsh that make you that much more proud to serve. Thank you sir.

-Betch

[fsksack]

@JustBetch you hit it on the head. this wasn't just another lecture

[LiptonCB]

@JustBetch Hey Betch. How are the DeBoalts?

[LiptonCB]

@JustBetch Kyle, of course. Hopefully I'll get to see them around December this year.

[seanlee2009dragon111]

@JustBetch Betch, you are my inspiration! I hope that I can serve under you someday.

[5starHAP]

Amazing.

[brandonpoje]

This is the best lecture I have had at the academy in four years being here... thank you Gen. Welsh for this motivating and awesome lecture.