NSA-Oklahoma Monthly
Meeting Information

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Doubletree Warren Place,  6110 S. Yale, Tulsa, OK

You Have Got to be Kidding Me: Lessons Learned from Building the Crown Jewel of Afghanistan

Colonel Jim Wilhite in Two Powerful Sessions 

Everything was right with the world for Dr. James Wilhite when suddenly his world got turned upside down. Called to active duty for the Army, Dr. Wilhite became Colonel Wilhite and embarked on a mission that seemed impossible to accomplish.  He was asked to build a university with no money and with no full time staff – build it using the model of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.  And complete the mission in ten months.   With drive and determination and many answered prayers, Colonel Wilhite’s mission was successful.

NSA Oklahoma is proud to offer you the opportunity to learn from American patriot Colonel Jim Wilhite and hear how he was able create the National Academy of Afghanistan out of virtually no resources.  As speakers, we can often feel that we are in that same place – trying to build a business with very few resources.

Join us on February 13 and be inspired just as CSP Carl Potter was when he heard Colonel Wilhite speak in early 2009.  Motivated by Wilhite’s story, he created a new element in his speaking business that has generated over $200,000 in revenue.  Once you have heard Wilhite’s story, you will no doubt see opportunity to grow your business in today’s economy.

TWO POWER-PACKED SESSIONS

Session 1:  You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me

In session one, Colonel Wilhite will share his inspiring story that will challenge you:

• The mail can change your life
• You are not as important as you think you are
• Where are you going?  What will you be doing?
• It’s not the end of the world but you can see it from there
• When your life changes, remember who supports you most
• Take care of the people that take care of you
• Don’t take, “I don’t know” as the final answer
• Always carry a camera

Session 2:  Lessons Learned from Building the Crown Jewel of Afghanistan

In session two, you will gain from his lessons learned:

• Mission possible with two exceptions
• Selling time shares
• Keep your friends close and your enemy closer
• We did it!  How do you like me now!
• And…..what did we/I learn from this?
• Be willing to adapt to your surroundings
• The impossible is only because you made it so
• Keep a sense of humor
• Remember we are in the people business
• Don’t gloat with your successes
• Don’t dwell on your failures
• Learn from both

Today, five years later, the first class of eighty-five second lieutenants have graduated with degrees in engineering, political science, and/or foreign language.   Initially three hundred and fifty-two potential candidates applied for approximately one hundred positions with the newly formed academy.   The potential candidates for the latest application process exceeded three thousand.   

Now with over twelve hundred students enrolled the forecast of the academy is projected to be approximately four thousand within the next two years.   Women begin the course work in March 2010 which is more than one hundred and forty years before West Point allowed women to attend.   While the National Military Academy of Afghanistan is referred to as the Crown Jewel  the mission itself has also been referred to as the Crown Jewel of Operation Enduring Freedom

In his newly released book, We Answered the Call: Building the Crown Jewel of Afghanistan, Wilhite describes the grit and determination that Colonel Wilhite and a group of individuals demonstrated that eventually became one of the most documented and successful missions of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Books will be available for purchase during the program.

Additional information:

National Military Academy Opens Gates to Future Leaders http://www.army.com/news/articles/article_032905_05.html

Afghan Military Academy Graduates First Class http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52805

About the speaker:

 Dr. Jim Wilhite is an American patriot with a distinguished military career with the US Army as well as a career in education.  He has been a school principal, college professor, and has built a military college in Afghanistan.  He is a professor emeritus at Northeastern State University and a military admissions liaison officer at West Point. He holds a doctorate in Education from OSU and served in the US Army for 39 years.  His unique experiences will challenge and inspire business leaders to develop their businesses in the face of overwhelming challenges.

• When: Saturday, February 13, 2010
• Registration: 8:30 AM; Program: 9:00 AM to Noon
• Where: Doubletree Warren Place   6110 Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK
• Cost for this meeting: $50 for guests; FREE! to prepaid members/preferred guests
• RSVP: Kristine Sexter, VP Membership, kristine@kristinesexter.com
• Program information: Dr. Deb Potter, VP Programming, deb@potterandassociates.com

Please note that you must RSVP by Monday, February 8, 2010. 
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