Page 60 - Never Fly Solo

CHECK SIX | 33
messing up. And, most important, they will warn you when
you don’t have the judgment to make good decisions on
your own.
In the fighter pilot debrief, it is common practice to
remove our name tags and rank markings to create an open,
nonretributive environment. The senior ranking officer is
treated the same as a raw young wingman. All give feedback,
admit errors, and call out each other’s mistakes. This improves
training and even saves lives, as egos are put aside for the sake
of the mission. This is a great practice to model in business.

3. Mutual support. I’m guessing you have picked up by
now that you must embody the same qualities you expect of
your wingmen. As the wingmen in your life are watching
your back, you must watch theirs. In fact, the more present
and helpful you are in their service, the more on the spot they
will be for you.
Mutual support is critical for “checking six” to work,
because its effectiveness depends on a two-way commitment.
You never know when the engine failure or the missiles will
come—and neither do your wingmen. The only way to be
sure someone has your back at all times is when both parties
know, without a shadow of doubt, that their wingman is there
for them.

YOU DON’T NEED A FLIGHT SUIT TO BE
A WINGMAN

In a fighter squadron, the ones wearing flight suits and flying
the jets aren’t the only wingmen. We have intelligence person-
nel briefing us about the various threats, the weather staff
updating us on changing weather conditions, the maintenance