Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 4-29-16

2 April 29, 2016 COMMENTARY Thunderbolt
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeaf b http://www.luke.af.mil

Introspection spurs us to be better

by Chief Master Sgt. Over my 53 continuous years with the Air Force, rst
JACK JOHNSON Jr. as the son of a great senior NCO, and now as the longest-
serving enlisted Airman on active duty, to which I owe
NATO Allied Command Transformation Welsh and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody
my deepest gratitude, I’ve seen a lot of historic advances.
NORFOLK, Va. — We are all It is through my own personal and professional introspec-
created different. We think differ- tion that I see many of our Air Force’s greatest attributes
ently, perceive things differently of yesteryear and today centered on its promises to the
and interpret success and failure American public, sometimes despite tremendous odds.
through very different lenses. At Through the diligence and dedication of our total force, we
each person’s unique period in life, have always been successful.
he begins to look back, wondering
Chief Master Sgt. if he truly made a difference. For Those attributes and/or actions developed during the
Jack Johnson Jr. 1960s and 1970s, in my view, were about building our force
with the best sustainable force to ght current and future
many, that difference can only be de ned by one’s self, re- wars. We addressed war ghting, sustainment, readiness,
gardless of achievements, big or small. The “should have,” quality-of-life, and training and education with the strat-
“could have” and “would have” perspectives sometimes egy to win decisively. Not one Airman or family member
occupy our thoughts. During this sometimes-lonesome was not aware of what alert status we were in, whether
period, even the highest achievers and strongest leaders go overseas or stateside, in church service or at a base mati-
through a period of introspection. Introspection has such nee — they knew!
a powerful impact on a person’s life, not just the wise, but
ACTION LINE everyone — even our lowest-ranking Airmen or family The 1980s and 1990s brought signi cant change, paved
members — all have stories awaiting the best seller’s list. See inTroSPECTion, Page 12
56fw.pa@us.af.mil As our great Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III
has said, “Every Airman has a story.”
The Commander’s Action Line
is your direct line to me with ques- Analyzing failure, realizing success, who owns it?
tions or suggestions about subjects
of concern to the entire Luke Air by Col. a rational evaluation of all the details to accomplish often drive us to one-on-
Force Base community. RYAN SAMUELSON is detrimental to building a team who one computer-based training modules
is eager to serve, learn, x and better and short slideshows. That is training
I appreciate your feedback. 379th Expeditionary Operations Group execute our Air Force’s diverse missions. and an important step, but it is not
Your ideas and concerns help In more than 22 years of service, I have education. The bedrock of our military
build a stronger foundation on Editor’s note: The views expressed come to believe nearly 97 percent of all success is comprised of a professionally
which we can successfully com- in this article are those of the author events we deem as failures by a person educated, not just trained, force. Only
plete our mission and take care of and do not necessarily reflect the or a team are attributed to one of three through consistent supervisor follow-
our people. of cial policy or position of the Air reasons; and supervisors and leaders up, experience-driven opportunities,
Force, Defense Department or the U.S. own them. Let us evaluate. team discussions, leadership engage-
To receive a response, leave Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus Government. ment, and an open and collaborative
your name and telephone number. 56th FW commander First, did you properly set out expec- review of failures are professionals
Action Lines of general interest are AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — tations and provide appropriate and truly educated. “Click, click, click, print
printed in the Thunderbolt. Remember, the quickest and “We have an issue. I’ll call him in and robust feedback? certi cate,” doesn’t work. Education is
most ef cient way to resolve a problem is to talk directly to a multifaceted process. If all you do is
the responsible agency or through your chain of command. gure out why he failed to…,” said the It is the foundation for everything. CBT, then supervisors and leaders own
supervisor who walked into my of ce Where those on your team finish is any failures as a result.
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along that sunny day. rooted in where you ask them to start.
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, If you have not set out clear priorities, Third, did you take time to see if the
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word. “Stop,” I said. “Find out the facts, let expectations, limitations and goals, procedures by which your teams operate
me see the outcome of the mistake, and take caution criticizing the paths they are broken, inef cient or ineffective?
PHONE NUMBERS let me see if I own it before you say he take. Course corrections ingrained with
failed.” open and consistent communication are Did the process fail the professional?
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 paramount to setting up professionals In the military, we operate in one of the
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 A puzzled look from the supervisor and their teams for success. If you are most dynamic environments on the
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 ensued. The details of the individual in charge, listen intently, ponder more planet.For those in the deployed environ-
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 and the failure are inconsequential. and talk less. Seek feedback, provide it ment, challenge what you see and how
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900 Tying failure immediately to an indi- and make your expectations concise. you operate if it is not leading to success-
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 vidual seemed too easy a conclusion for ful mission execution.When we apply an
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 me. What mattered was the process of Secondly, did you properly train, or organize, train and equip “in-garrison”
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 analyzing failure in hopes of realizing more importantly, educate the profes- mentality to the deployed environment
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 unit success. After all, in the military sionals you serve with?
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 amazing patriots strive daily to make a See SuCCESS, Page 15
Housing office ...................................................... 623-856-7643 positive difference surround us. The demands of training for the
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 multitude of missions Airmen are asked
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 A rush to judge the professional who
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 experienced failure before engaging in
Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 Luke Editorial Sta The Thunderbolt uses material from the Armed Forces Information Service, Air
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028 Force News Service, AETC News Service and other sources. All advertising is handled
Office of Special Investigation .............................623-856-6821 Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus by Aerotech News and Review. They can be reached by calling 623-487-7321.
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Public Affairs ........................................................ 623-856-5853 Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper
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