Plumb, Charles
ABOUT
TOPICS
TESTIMONIALS
About Charles Plumb
Captain Charlie Plumb has lived what he believes to be the American Dream. As a farm kid from Kansas, he fantasized about airplanes although he felt certain he would never have the opportunity to pilot one. It would be the United States Navy who afforded Plumb the opportunity to live out that dream.
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Plumb completed Navy Flight Training and reported to Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego where he flew the first adversarial flights in the development of what would be called The Navy Fighter Weapons School, currently known as “TOP GUN”. The next year, Plumb’s squadron the Aardvarks launched on the Aircraft Carrier USS Kitty Hawk with Fighter Squadron 114 to fly the Navy’s hottest airplane, the F-4 Phantom Jet. Code named “Plumber”, Charlie Plumb flew 74 successful combat missions over North Viet Nam and made over 100 carrier landings. On his 75th mission, just five days before the end of his tour, Plumb was shot down over Hanoi, taken prisoner, tortured, and spent the next 2,103 days as a Prisoner Of War.
Following his repatriation, Plumb continued his Navy flying career in Reserve Squadrons where he flew A-4 Sky Hawks, A-7 Corsairs and FA-18 Hornets. His last two commands as a Naval Reservist were the on the Aircraft Carrier Corral Sea, and at a Fighter Air Wing in California. He retired from the United States Navy after 28 years of service.
To this day, Captain Plumb continues to fly left-seat at every opportunity. He has personally owned 8 airplanes, the most treasured being a World War II PT-19 Open-Cockpit Antique. He currently owns a Rutan-designed experimental single-engine Long-Eze.
The Power of Choice
In a daily routine, or in a communist prison camp, each of us has the choice to succeed, to fail…or to become the victim of circumstances.
Adversity
Viewed as opportunity and challenge, adversity encourages growth, and propels us beyond self-imposed limits.
Teamwork
In a world where downsizing forces us to do more with less, we must empower the team. “Packing parachutes” can mean the difference in survival. Yours, and your teams!
Change
Invariably, just about the time things feel comfortable, change hits. And whether that change is positive or negative it can be disturbing and difficult to adjust to. Yet, it’s during those times that ones true value shows up, in taking the risks necessary to adapt to change.
Empowerment
Each of us has assets we often times don’t tap into until we’re challenged. Whether or not we realize it, we each have the inner strength and resources to meet whatever business or personal challenges come our way.
Testimonials
“We continue to receive excellent feedback on the conference – significantly because what many have described as your powerful, life-altering presentation. Your presentation provided our Frontline Leaders with a new perspective on the adversity and challenges faced by each of us, and a renewed commitment to success through the understanding that sometimes, in order to succeed, one has to think outside the “8 inches between our ears,” take a risk, and “tug on a wire.” Thank you for allowing our leaders to grow from your adversity and inspiration.”
– Scott Hammond, Vice President, MetLIfe
“From the preparation, to the audience reaction, your grade was excellent! You took Rob’s pre-program information and weaved it perfectly into your presentation. You gave us many messages and words of inspiration. In each one of us are elements for success, if we choose to use them. The triumph and adversity in our daily lives becomes miniscule in comparison to your experiences – yet you validate them all equally. Your positive spirit is an example, and an inspiration for all of us.”
– Mike Walsh, Nike
“I was fortunate to hear Charlie Plumb at a Chevron convention many years ago. Please let him know that because of him, we all continue to “Keep the Faith”. He continues to be one of my own personal heroes.”
– Linda Lane, Chevron Motor Oil
“Your message will be with all of us for the rest of our lives. Our meeting was unanimously voted the best ever, and it was because of your talk. Your message resonated with every single person. Perhaps, most significantly, was your explanation of life being full of choices and our ability to choose even to FAIL, being one of them.”
– Bob Embry, Delta Steel
“I was captivated by your message. I looked you straight in your eyes the entire time, looking for your pain. All I saw was triumph. I kept listening for your defeats. All I heard were your victories! To say you were inspirational would be an understatement, even now, more than 20 years later.”
– Jeanette Jordan, Department of Veterans Affairs
“Our lives have been, and will continue to be, ever so much richer and more satisfying since we heard you speak. It was years ago, but we still hear your words like it was yesterday. We just felt you should know.”
– Brent Revert, United Airlines