Commander's Intent

In this episode of Commander’s Intent , retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks challenges a question many people secretly ask: Why even bother setting goals when most people quit anyway? Derek and co-host Rob break down why goals fail, why vision matters more than resolutions, and how leaders use goals as stepping stones, not finish lines. Through real-world leadership lessons, per...

In this episode of Commander's Intent , retired Air Force Colonel and leadership mentor Derek Oaks breaks down one of the most overlooked but critical leadership skills: creating a shared vision with your team. Drawing from his experience as a fighter squadron commander, Derek explains how understanding individual goals, motivations, and personal aspirations allows leaders to align people wit...

In this powerful episode of Commander’s Intent , Derek Oaks and his guests unpack the true significance behind the rescue of Private Jessica Lynch—and why it was never just about military tactics. This wasn’t a mission driven by efficiency, profit, or ROI. It was a statement of values.  Through firsthand accounts from those involved in the planning and execution, this conversation reveals what hap...

In this heartfelt episode of Commander’s Intent , Derek Oaks and Rob reflect on choosing gratitude even during holiday separation —whether caused by military service, demanding careers, leadership responsibilities, or life circumstances beyond your control. Drawing from years of deployments, missed Christmases, and time spent far from family, they share powerful stories about perspective, service,...

In this episode of Commander’s Intent , Derek Oaks and former senior diplomat Bart Marcois break down how high-stakes leaders make decisions knowing they’ll be second-guessed. Using the 2003 Iraq invasion as a case study, they explore confirmation bias, imperfect intelligence, and the reality that leaders rarely get “good” options—only necessary ones. This conversation challenges listeners to reth...

In this episode, Derek Oaks breaks down the five essential keys to building a successful career —no matter your field. Drawing from his experience as an Air Force squadron commander, Derek reveals why technical competence, communication, leadership opportunities, doing the “required squares,” and understanding how your team fits into the bigger mission are the true drivers of long-term success and...

In this episode, Derek and Rob break down what AI really is, how it functions as a decision-support system, and why leaders must be cautious about trusting it blindly. They share real examples—from aviation to law—showing how AI can boost productivity, but also how it can mislead, hallucinate, and create false confidence. This conversation equips you with a grounded understanding of AI’s strengths...

In this episode, Derek Oaks unpacks one of the most defining traits of great leadership— empathy . Through a deeply personal story about nearly losing his son while preparing for deployment, Derek reveals how empathetic leadership from his commander kept him grounded, capable, and effective during the hardest season of his life. This powerful episode highlights the real difference between narcissi...

This episode dives into the life and legacy of Colonel John Boyd—the fighter pilot and strategist behind the revolutionary OODA Loop. Derek Oaks breaks down Boyd’s unmatched brilliance, his role in shaping modern fighter aircraft like the F-16 and A-10, and how his decision-making model transformed air combat and leadership alike. You’ll learn how Boyd’s Observe-Orient-Decide-Act cycle helps you m...

“The money goes to the trusted and prepared.” In this candid conversation, Colonel Derek Oaks and General Mike Minihan dissect what it truly takes to rebuild and resource the U.S. Air Force for the threats of tomorrow. From the broken acquisition system to the suffocating “frozen middle” of bureaucracy, they expose the tension between process and product —and why only decisive, trusted, and prepar...

In this episode of Commander's Intent , retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks reveals the real reason U.S. fighter pilots stay at the top of their game—and it’s not the jets, the gear, or the swagger. It’s the aggressive, egoless debrief after every mission. Derek walks you through a humbling story from his own instructor upgrade in the A-10, where a single training flight tu...

True leadership isn’t about authority — it’s about responsibility. In this episode of Commander’s Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and Fighter Pilot Derek Oaks breaks down the real meaning behind the word Commander — to entrust, empower, and take ownership. Discover how embracing your own “commander’s intent” helps you lead with clarity in your career, family, and personal life. Through military...

In this episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and leadership mentor Derek Oaks reveals what it truly means to be a confident leader — not one driven by ego or control, but by clarity, competence, and calm under pressure. Drawing from powerful real-life experiences in the cockpit and the Pentagon, Derek shares how true confidence is built through trust, technical mastery, co...

In this premiere episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks shares how confident decision-making separates great leaders from the rest. Drawing from real-life combat and leadership experiences, Derek reveals how to define your “Commander’s Intent” — the what and why behind your mission — and empower your team with the how. Whether you’re leading a bu...