---
title: "How the US Air Force tricked CSAF McPeak into staying in the military"
date: "2018-03-31"
modified: "2020-10-22"
authors:
  - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/podcast/how-the-us-air-force-tricked-csaf-mcpeak-into-staying-in-the-military/"
categories:
  - "Air Force"
  - "History"
---

# How the US Air Force tricked CSAF McPeak into staying in the military

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17317937/origin.jpg>)

---

Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts](<https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-the-mighty-podcast/id1097347489?mt=2ls=1>) | [Google Play](<https://play.google.com/music/m/Ik74jtwxcqatfrhejduirp5dk7y?t=Podcast__We_Are_The_Mighty>) | [Stitcher](<https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/we-are-the-mighty-podcast>) | [Spotify](<https://open.spotify.com/show/04iDsWhqVtpV2DwVRYli76>)

In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, we once again speak to [General Merrill A. McPeak](<https://generalmcpeak.com/>), who served as former Air Force Chief of Staff, National Security Council, a military adviser to the Secretary of Defense, and to the President.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17317938/origin.png>)
*The salty and well-respected Air Force Chief of Staff General Merrill A. McPeak (Photo from Wikipedia Commons)*

The General currently has three books out, *[Below The Zone](<https://generalmcpeak.com/product/below-the-zone/>), [Roles and Missions,](<https://generalmcpeak.com/product/roles-and-missions/>)* and *[Hangar Flying](<https://generalmcpeak.com/product/hangar-flying/>),* about his time being ringside during one of the most tumultuous moments in recent history: the Vietnam War, where Gen. McPeak was an attack pilot and high-speed forward air controller.

During his impressive career as a fighter pilot, the general logged in more than 6,000 hours of flight time, including a period where he was a solo pilot [with the elite Thunderbirds](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/air-force-thunderbirds-niagara/>).

### Related: How to stay fit and not get fat after you get out of the military

**In this episode, we talk on a wide range of topics, including:**

- \[2:40\] The general describes the many occupations he's held during his remarkable career and the influential politician with whom he didn't get along.
- \[5:20\] How the Air Force tricked the clever general, who had no intention making the military a career.
- \[10:50\] One significant piece of the general's uniform he didn't want to wear.
- \[13:40\] The general explains what he would have done with his life if he hadn't joined the Air Force.
- \[19:20\] What a billion dollars gets you when setting up intelligence offices.
- \[20:50\] The general's advice for anyone who is interested in becoming Chief of Staff
- \[29:40\] What Americans should do if they want to become warriors.
- \[37:35\] The general's easiest subject in college that wasn't ROTC.
- \[42:07\] The general's personal take on movie pilots.

### Also Read: [These are the best military movies by service branch](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/these-are-the-best-military-movies-by-service-branch/>)

**Hosted By:**

[Blake Stilwell](<https://www.facebook.com/StilwellAngel/>): Air Force veteran and Managing Editor

[Tim Kirkpatrick](<https://www.facebook.com/tkirk35/>): Navy veteran and Editorial Coordinator

[Orvelin Valle (aka O.V.)](<https://www.facebook.com/orvelinvallecreates/>): Navy veteran and Podcast Producer

## Author
Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com