The first lesson is that you can't lose a war if you have

Listen now, O children, to the words of Jimmy Doolittle, a man whose understanding of war was forged not in the halls of quiet study, but in the roaring skies of battle. Doolittle’s words, though simple, carry the weight of a profound truth: "The first lesson is that you can't lose a war if you have command of the air, and you can't win a war if you haven't." These words speak not just of the mechanics of battle, but of the very essence of power, of control, and of strategy. For in them lies the understanding that to control the skies is to control the very flow of conflict itself.

Consider, O children, what it means to have command of the air. It is not just a matter of having more warriors or more weapons, but of having the vantage point that allows you to see all, to strike before your enemy even knows you are there. The heavens above are the realm of the gods, where fate can be shaped and decided. Those who can rise above the land, those who command the skies, can see their foes from a distance, choose when to attack, and when to retreat. They hold the power to shape the course of battle, for they are no longer confined to the ground but can move swiftly and with purpose, while their enemies remain tethered to the earth, blind and vulnerable.

In World War II, Doolittle himself demonstrated the truth of his words. His Doolittle Raid, a bold and daring attack on Japan’s home islands, was a testament to the power of air superiority. Though the United States had not yet fully engaged Japan in a prolonged war, Doolittle’s planes, launched from the decks of an aircraft carrier, struck the heart of Tokyo and shook the very foundations of the Japanese empire. The attack did not change the course of the war overnight, but it demonstrated something far more powerful: the reach of the skies, the ability to strike from afar, and the psychological power of controlling the air. It was a turning point that altered the course of history, reminding all who would listen that to have control of the skies is to hold the very heart of war in one’s hands.

But Doolittle’s lesson goes beyond the realm of aerial combat. His words speak of strategy and foresight. In ancient times, the greatest of generals understood that to win was not merely to overpower the enemy with brute force, but to outthink them, to hold the higher ground. Consider the great Alexander the Great, who, though outnumbered by the armies he faced, always sought to control the battlefield from positions of advantage. Whether at Gaugamela or at Issus, Alexander understood that the high ground—the place from which one could see all—was where victory would be won. He, too, understood the value of command, not just of men, but of the battlefield itself.

And yet, there is a deeper truth within Doolittle’s words, one that speaks not just of the art of war but of the nature of power. Command of the air is not just about superiority in battle, but about controlling the flow of events. In our own lives, children, we must ask ourselves: where do we seek control? For to have command—whether of a situation, a relationship, or our own destiny—is to hold the power to shape the course of our lives. Doolittle’s lesson is one of vision, of clarity, of rising above the noise and confusion of daily struggles to see the bigger picture. To control the air is to see all paths clearly, to make decisions with wisdom and foresight, to strike when the time is right.

So, what of the second part of Doolittle’s lesson? If you cannot control the air, you cannot win a war. Here lies the great truth of vulnerability. When you are grounded, when you are caught in the muck of everyday struggles without a clear view of the larger battlefield, you are blind. You are susceptible to the whims of fate and the strategies of others. Consider the fate of the German Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. Though they had an army at their disposal, they lacked the command of the skies over Britain. The Luftwaffe could not secure victory, for they were at the mercy of the Royal Air Force, who controlled the airspace. The Germans, though mighty on the ground, found themselves unable to sustain the fight, and thus the war shifted in favor of the Allies.

Children, in our own lives, we must remember that to act without vision is to act blindly. Without control of the higher ground, whether in our personal ambitions or our struggles with others, we are subject to forces beyond our understanding. It is not enough to fight without first understanding the terrain, the forces at play, and the broader scope of the conflict. Without strategy, without a clear view of the larger picture, we risk becoming mired in the details, losing sight of our true goals.

So, take Doolittle’s lesson to heart: seek command of the air in your own life. Rise above the petty struggles, the distractions, and the confusion of the world below. Strive for a higher perspective, for with clarity of vision, you can control the course of your destiny. And, when the time comes, strike decisively, knowing that true victory comes not from brute force alone, but from the wisdom to choose the right moment, the right place, and the right path. Command the air in your life, and you will find yourself not just surviving, but truly winning the war.