SpOC International Officer awarded Legion of Merit

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Melissa Crisostomo
  • Space Operations Command
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colorado --  Canadian Royal Air Force Brigadier-General Kevin Whale was awarded the Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) at Headquarters Space Operations Command, May 24, 2022. BGen Whale received the award for his exceptionally meritorious service to SpOC as the Deputy Commanding General of Transformation (DCG-T).

For the past two years, BGen Whale has led the men and women charged with the organizational transformation of SpOC. While most organizations pride themselves on a culture of innovation, BGen Whale noted that SpOC is uniquely suited to fit.

“Every organization is working on digital transformation and trying to do things better and differently,” said BGen Whale. “The Space Force is not big enough to not do these things: save time in meetings, communicate on collaboration tools, be more flat.”

During his tenure, BGen Whale’s influence helped expand SpOC’s exchange officer program three-fold, adding over fifty-five new international partner billets throughout the command. Under his leadership, DCG-T reduced the duration of command meetings and number of emails significantly.

“If we didn’t have a group of people waking up every day coming to work and thinking about transformation, innovation and culture, this wouldn’t have happened. Our work here so far is paying huge dividends,” said BGen Whale.

He also emphasized the importance of being physically integrated with our allies in the space domain.

“Space is a team sport,” said BGen Whale. “Being physically integrated here helps drive some shared objectives and information sharing. Having allies and partners is absolutely a strategic advantage. It’s the one thing we have that our potential adversaries don’t.”

He reflected on his career and what kept him going.

“I’ve come to the understanding that it doesn't matter why you joined, it matters why you stay,” said BGen Whale. “One of the things I love about being in the military is whenever you get to a comfort level, you’re pushed to the next level, you’re challenged at the next assignment and we do it early and often.”

BGen Whale leaves SpOC professionals with the following message:

“Get into the mentality of being bolder. Make your leadership uncomfortable, but not angry. Be in that zone of trying new things,” said BGen Whale. “The Space Force absolutely needs that kind of boldness, innovation, and experimentation if we’re going to outpace our potential adversaries. If you think you’re being bold enough, go up a notch. That’s what Space Force needs.”

After a 36-year military career, BGen Whale looks forward to taking off the uniform, spending time with his family in Canada, and working for a Canadian Aerospace company.

Canadian Royal Air Force Brigadier-General Kyle C. Paul will take over as the commander for DCG-T.

 

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