OHNG Warfighter Culture Fundamentals 

PRACTICE Blameless Problem Solving

Major General David Johnson / Assistant Adjutant General for Air  ~  WATCH VIDEO ON YouTube

• Focus on solutions and help others grow.
• Approach problems as validation that you are empowered and capable of solving them.

The famous Apollo 13 lunar mission is an excellent example of blameless problem solving. Celebrated as a "successful failure," despite facing a catastrophic oxygen tank explosion. The astronauts and NASA engineers collaborated effectively to return the crew safely to Earth through effective problem solving, ingenuity, teamwork, and communication. Every member of Mission Control and the crew focused on addressing the problems rather than assigning blame for the initial failures. In Houston, NASA engineers worked to troubleshoot issues and identify solutions that the astronauts could implement based on the equipment onboard. Once decisions were made, the crew and Mission Control staff worked together to ensure success. The Apollo 13 mission has become a historic symbol of human resilience, ingenuity, and the power of teamwork in the face of adversity.

Soldiers, Airmen, and Civilian team members can adopt this mindset by prioritizing solutions, rather than pointing fingers or dwelling on problems. The Ohio National Guard team is good, fair, and honest and strives for excellence. When problems occur (as they may), identify lessons learned and use those lessons to improve ourselves and the processes so we don’t make the same mistake twice. Get smarter with every mistake. Foster a culture where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for learning and improvement, rather than as grounds for blame. Encourage brainstorming, collaboration and open communication, which sometimes includes healthy, respectful disagreement. However, once a decision is made, everyone MUST commit fully to its success.

Of notable interest, the Apollo 13 crew included lunar module pilot Fred Haise, a former fighter pilot with the Ohio Air National Guard's 164th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Mansfield, Ohio!

As we integrate the Warfighter Culture Fundamentals into our daily practices, I urge you to reflect on how you can weave these principles into your routines. This week, discuss with your team how you've incorporated this mindset into your work.