Page 4 - Desert Lightning News 7-17-15

4 July 17, 2015 Desert Lightning News

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Run to the Sound of the Guns…Be a Servant Leader

Commentary by Maj. Tim Grebs

357th Fighter Squadron

Many of us have seen the best and worst in leadership throughout the course (U.S. Air Force illustration by Airman 1st Class Chris Drzazgowski)
of our careers as Airmen. Usually we can think of two names, one good and one
bad, that personify each bound of the leadership spectrum. This reality leads to U.S. Air Force Maj. Timothy Grebs, 357th Fighter Squadron former instructor pilot, opens the
the fact that even though we are called to be leaders in military service, not all of cockpit after his final flight in the A-10 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, June 26. While sta-
us have shown that capability. However, leaders are NOT born, but rather de- tioned at D-M, Grebs served as the 355th Force Support Squadron commander, an A-10 instruc-
veloped through a combination of training, mentorship, and opportunity. This is tor pilot, and 355th Fighter Wing executive. During his final flight before retiring from the Air
why all of us can be leaders, not just a select few. But being a leader is a choice - a Force, Grebs donned a visor cover which read “Everyone Wants to Be Led.”
choice between staying in your foxhole or running toward the sound of the guns.
learned that you don’t really work for your boss, but instead you work for your
There is a plethora of individual characteristics that make up the ideal leader people. We talk all the time about carrying your boss’ vision to fruition, but what
- technical competence, attitude, professionalism, charisma, intelligence, and about the vision of your subordinates? Every Airman has a voice and every Air-
boldness just to name a few. But in my opinion, there is one key ingredient that man has needs. Remember who you truly work for as a servant leader.
is needed to become a true, enduring leader. That ingredient is selflessness.
Do you truly believe that if you take care of those around you, you will be re- I will leave my time on active duty with the thoughts of a former US Army
warded? Should you expect any reward at all? I will tell you this - a true servant Ranger I met at a military hiring conference. He explained that when he was on
leader doesn’t care about rewards. The servant leader knows that selflessness active duty and people asked who he was, he would reply, “I am an Airborne
is eternally fulfilling while selfishness is hollow and temporary. Oh, and here’s Ranger”. After he hung up the uniform he realized that being an Airborne Ranger
the kicker - you don’t have to be a specific age or wear a specific rank on your wasn’t what defined him. He instead chose to define himself as a husband, father,
sleeve or shoulder to be a servant leader. You don’t even have to be best in your friend, and leader. I challenge each of you who have read this to look inside your-
profession, you simply have to live and act for the benefit of someone else. The self and determine who you truly are and what defines you. I hope you all desire
only hard part to being a servant leader is that you must fully commit yourself to to add “servant leader” to that list. If you do, know that there is no bigger fulfill-
others each and every day. ment in life than to live for someone else.

When I became a part of the 355th Force Support Squadron in December
of 2014, I had no credibility whatsoever. I was a black sheep - a fighter pilot
amongst a squadron of 582 services and personnel Airmen. However, I knew I
didn’t need any technical competence; the Airmen only yearned for one thing - a
servant leader. I quickly developed a very simple leadership plan. I would do the
“blocking and tackling” necessary to allow the squadron’s Airmen to execute the
mission with as little impediment as possible. I knew this would cause me to be
unpopular, harsh, and relentless, but I willingly made that choice. See, I quickly

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