In this episode of The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices, host Andrew “AJ” Cox sits down with James Walsh, a United States Air Force veteran whose lifetime of service, education, and leadership took him from the enlisted ranks to the officer corps and ultimately to decades of continued service supporting Airmen and their families.

James entered the Air Force in 1966 at just 19 years old, choosing to enlist while facing the possibility of being drafted. His journey would take him far from his home in Hartford, Connecticut, beginning with an assignment to Taiwan and continuing through assignments and experiences in places including Korea and Greece.

Throughout the conversation, James reflects on his transition from enlisted Airman to commissioned officer and the responsibilities that came with leadership. As a young lieutenant, he found himself responsible for approximately 500 people, experiences that helped shape a leadership philosophy centered on listening, understanding people, earning their trust, and having the courage to make decisions.

That philosophy eventually earned James a description that followed him throughout his career:

“Tough, but fair.”

Education also became a defining part of James’ life. What began with taking college courses while serving overseas grew into a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching. His experiences in uniform eventually allowed him to pass those lessons on to others through leadership and management education.

James’ service to the Air Force continued long after his active-duty career ended. He returned as a Department of Defense civilian, eventually spending more than two decades working at the Pentagon. His work included personnel policy, benefits and entitlements, Airmen and Family Readiness, and programs directly affecting service members and their families. He ultimately retired from federal civilian service in February 2025.

AJ and James also discuss the lessons behind James’ book, You’re a Leader, Now What? Build Trust, Inspire Teams, Drive Results, including communication, collaboration, conflict management, situational leadership, and the importance of understanding the people you lead.

The conversation even turns to artificial intelligence and its place in modern leadership. James explains why leaders should embrace useful tools while never allowing technology to replace their own responsibility to think, evaluate information, and make decisions.

And, of course, James takes on the rapid-fire questions, including a memorable zombie-apocalypse combination involving a bazooka and the National Anthem, and why a German Shepherd best represents his military career.

When asked whether he would do it all again, James doesn’t hesitate:

Absolutely. No regrets.

After a lifetime dedicated to service, leadership, education, and helping others, James leaves listeners with a simple but powerful message:

“Be kind. Gain trust.”

🎙️ Host: Andrew “AJ” Cox — U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) 🇺🇸 Guest: James Walsh — U.S. Air Force Veteran

The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies. Collect • Preserve • Educate • Inspire