This research project proposes a strategic leadership vision about the need to acquire an agile mindset across the joint military force of aerospace professionals. The United States began the new century with a violent reminder that its enemies are also agile minded. In the face of the most technologically advanced military in the world, on September 11, 2001 an agile-minded adversary attacked the United States by using a cunning idea to turn a passenger conveyance into precision guided missiles. The lesson for airmen from this attack is that they cannot fight the type of wars they want to fight because their next adversary will exploit deficiencies in their combat airpower and deny them information superiority. Acquiring people with agile minds is the essential competency that will reliably produce the competitive edge needed to win in full spectrum combat. However, the window of opportunity is rapidly closing as US student achievement in science, technology, engineering and math continues to race to the bottom of all industrialized countries.
