Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 9-18-15

Sept. 18, 2015 COMMENTARY Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
2 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

Life, family, career demand balancing act

by Maj. putting down the infamous BlackBerry. My wife gra-
WESLEY WADE ciously brought this to my attention a few months ago.
My normal routine consisted of walking in the house,
56th Maintenance Group emptying my ABU pockets, and immediately starting
to scroll through emails on my BlackBerry. You never
Whether we’re talking about know when the next earthshattering message will hit
your inbox. She realized when my BlackBerry was in
life, family, or career, it boils front of me, I wasn’t paying attention to her or the kids.

down to balance. Having a healthy As a result, I changed what I call my home-life re-
integration method. Now the first order of business is
balance is the only way we can to talk to them. I deliberately choose not to check my
inbox until after talking about our respective days, how
sustain effectiveness. the kids’ days went, and so on.

0DM:HVOH\:DGH I can recall times as a young When the Air Force published the Comprehensive
officer when working 14 hours a Airman Fitness program, it spoke to my conundrum of
achieving a better balance. Achieving mental, physical,
day was common. There are times social and spiritual fitness allows us to optimize our
duty performance as well as enhance our family life.
when the mission drives us to work extended hours, but Being disciplined and focusing our energy in these four
domains enables us to develop competencies within the
it shouldn’t be the norm. Getting married and starting readiness and resiliency realms.

a family is what helped realign my priorities. It became Why do I think this topic is important? It’s about lead-
ership. All of us are leaders, whether formal or informal.
readily apparent that if I want my family standing Achieving balance in your life translates into being
a more effective leader. I can see it in my leadership
next to me when I leave the Air Force, I better find a development. Now that I have a healthier balance, I’m
better prepared to tackle not only the challenges that
healthier balance of my time. arise in my personal life, but I’m also better equipped
to assist and lead my Airmen.
ACTION LINE One of the best commanders I had the pleasure of

working for made it a point to work reasonable hours.

His perspective was that his work hours would drive the

IZSD#XVDIPLO behavior of the squadron. In other words, the later he
623-856-7011
worked, the later his Airmen would work. He enjoyed

an active family life and ran an effective squadron.

The Commander’s Action Under his leadership, I had an “ah-ha” moment. If he

Line is your direct line to me can accomplish such balance as a squadron commander,

with questions or suggestions then why can’t I do the same as a captain?

about subjects of concern to the Throughout the past year I’ve I struggled with discon-

entire Luke Air Force Base com- necting from work outside the office, specifically with

munity.

I appreciate your feedback.

Your ideas and concerns help Why do you serve?

build a stronger foundation on

which we can successfully com-

plete our mission and take care

of our people. %ULJ*HQ6FRWW3OHXV Airman 1st Class EHIRUHDV$PHULFDQVUDOOLHG3HRSOH abilities together. The colors come
To receive a response, leave 56th FW commander DYLAN VOGEL were reminded what the flag stood together to make the flag just as we
for and among all the hatred and must come together for this country.
your name and telephone num- 56th Medical Group violence in America, people became
DIDPLO\DJDLQ3HRSOHWRRNSULGHLQ It also means safety because I
ber. Action Lines of general interest are printed in the What we saw on the morning of the flag and America. know our country can pull through
Sept. 11, 2001, changed America anything. By living here I know I’m
7KXQGHUEROW5HPHPEHUWKHTXLFNHVWDQGPRVWHIÀFLHQW forever. This was an unprovoked Most people know the 13 stripes safe, and I can count on my country
murder of 3,000 people, simply be- stand for the 13 colonies and the 50 to keep it safe for those who live
way to resolve a problem is to talk directly to the respon- cause they were Americans. stars stand for the 50 states. But here.
more than the symbols, what does
sible agency or through your chain of command. There was a story written about the flag stand for? I know what it Some people look at the flag and
a 2-year-old girl named Christine stands for to me. It stands for pride, see a big piece of colored cloth. When
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along Lee Hanson which hits home when joy, strength, ability, safety and I see the flag, I see heart, courage
I read it because I have a 2-year-old freedom. It stands for pride in our and respect. It’s our symbol of free-
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, daughter. country and ourselves. It gives hope dom. If those we’re fighting against
and represents joy for the heroes can’t see why we’re fighting for
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word. Christine Lee Hanson was on her who stood tall and still stand tall this great country, then let us keep
way to Disneyland with her parents. defending our country. The strength fighting until they see why we’re not
PHONE NUMBERS They died together aboard United is in the hearts of all the American giving up on this country.
Airlines Flight 175. people. The flag stands for the abili-
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 ties we all possess. Some of us can Every day people serve their coun-
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 The actions that took place on run or jump better than others, or try in or out of uniform, civilian and
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 9/11 sparked a new beginning for we can draw or write better, but military alike. Because of these ac-
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 America. Almost every commer- the point is that we must bring our tions we have the freedoms we love.
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900 cial and news station was playing
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 VRPHWKLQJDERXWWKHDWWDFNV3HRSOH This is why I serve my country.
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 saw the flag flying higher than ever Why do you serve?
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 Luke Editorial Staff 7KH7KXQGHUEROWXVHVPDWHULDOIURPWKH$UPHG)RUFHV,QIRUPDWLRQ6HUYLFH$LU
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Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 Public Affairs chief ...................................................... Maj. Matt Hasson
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 Public Affairs deputy chief ........................................... Kiley Dougherty 7KH7KXQGHUEROWLVSXEOLVKHGE\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQR
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 Internal information........................................Tech. Sgt. Timothy Boyer ZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWKWKH86$LU)RUFHXQGHUH[FOXVLYHZULWWHQFRQWUDFWZLWKWKHWK
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Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie LVDQDXWKRUL]HGSXEOLFDWLRQIRUPHPEHUVRIWKH86PLOLWDU\VHUYLFHV&RQWHQWVRIWKH
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