By Laurie Cipriano
l.cipriano@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS - General David Petraeus made a stop at the U.S. Airforce Academy Thursday.  His visit was part of an annual event designed to enchance cadet professional development, called the Truman Lecture Series.  

  "Lives truly will depend on your ability to lead, and to lead well," Petraeus said.  He offered words of encouragement to do that.  "Take the absolute maximum advantage of the opportunity you have here at the Air Force academy to hone and develop your leadership skills," Petraeus said to the packed room of cadets.

  In the case of situations such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan, Petraeus said, "These are the types of environments in which each of you will be leading.  Your missions in them will be challenging, complex and often frustrating.  And it's worth having throught through and prepared for how you will lead when you get there." 

  He went on to say that leaders must have the ability to think ahead and to think strategically.  "Understanding the second, third and even fourth order effects of their actions."