From cadet to combat zones — Maj. Gen. Thomas Sherman ’95 has led at every level. Now vice superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he returns to where it all began to share lessons from three decades of service. In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Gen. Sherman explores leadership, mentorship and what it takes to prepare tomorrow’s Air Force and Space Force officers for a complex world. Tune in for powerful insights on trust, accountability, and legacy in and out of uniform.

• Leadership is a human experience - focus on connecting with and caring about people.
• Love what you do and love the people you lead; passion inspires others to follow you.
• Embrace failures and challenges as opportunities for personal growth and development.
• Set the right culture and values within your team to build trust and mutual support.
• Be present and engaged with your team, understanding their motivations and experiences.
• Leadership is about more than rank or position - it's about earning genuine trust and respect.
• Invest time in understanding different generations, cultural nuances, and individual perspectives.
• Balance professional excellence with personal growth and life experiences.
• Support your team's development by providing encouragement and holding them accountable.
• Your legacy is built through individual interactions and the positive impact you have on people's lives.

00:00 Introduction to Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman '95
01:29 Choosing Leadership Over Flying
07:23 The Impact of Mentorship and Values
12:46 Heritage and Evolution of Security Forces
17:43 Personal Growth in Aviano, Italy
24:17 The Importance of Work-Life Balance
29:50 Culminating Command Experience at Bagram
42:25 The Role of Family in Leadership
51:29 Continuous Self-Improvement as a Leader
56:27 Embracing Failure as a Growth Opportunity
01:00:06 Legacy and the Impact of Leadership

Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman is the Vice Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. He is serving as the chief operations officer to the Superintendent and overseeing the Academy’s blend of military training, academics, athletics, and character development for cadets.

Gen. Sherman commissioned in 1995 from the Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He built a distinguished career as a security forces officer. He’s held command at nearly every level.

His key assignments include leadership of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB and critical staff positions at the Pentagon.

In May 2024, Gen. Sherman was tapped to serve as the Academy's Vice Superintendent