Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 10-16-15

Desert Wings Commentary October 16, 2015

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Balance is key to healthy life

by Maj. Wesley Wade later his Airmen would stay at work. ing about our respective days, how the kids’ days went,
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He enjoyed an active family life and ran an effective and so on.

squadron. Under his leadership was when I had an “ah-ha” When the Air Force published the Comprehensive Air-

Whether we’re talking about our life, family or career, it moment. If he can accomplish such balance as a squadron man Fitness program, it spoke to my conundrum of achiev-

boils down to balance. Having a healthy balance is the only commander, then why can’t I do the same as a captain? ing a better balance. Achieving mental, physical, social and

way that we can sustain effectiveness. Throughout the past year I found that I struggle discon- VSLULWXDO¿WQHVVDOORZVXVWRRSWLPL]HRXUGXW\SHUIRUPDQFH

,FDQUHFDOOWLPHVDVD\RXQJRI¿FHUZKHQZRUNLQJ QHFWLQJIURPZRUNRXWVLGHRIWKHRI¿FHVSHFL¿FDOO\ZLWK as well as enhance our family life. Being disciplined and

hours a day was common. There are times when the mis- putting down the infamous BlackBerry. My wife graciously focusing our energy in these four domains enables us to

sion will drive us to work extended hours, but it shouldn’t brought this to my attention a few months ago. develop competencies within the readiness and resiliency

be the norm. My normal routine consisted of walking in the house, realms.

Getting married and starting a family is what helped re- emptying my Airman Battle Uniform pockets and imme- Why do I think this topic is important? It’s about lead-

align my priorities because it became readily apparent that diately start scrolling through emails on my BlackBerry; ership. All of us are leaders, whether formal or informal.

if I wanted my family standing next to me when I leave because you’ll never know when the next earth-shattering Achieving balance in your life translates into being a

WKH$LU)RUFH,EHWWHU¿QGDKHDOWKLHUEDODQFHRIP\WLPH message will hit your inbox. more effective leader. I can see it in my leadership devel-

One of the best commanders I had the pleasure of work- She soon realized that when my BlackBerry was in front opment. Now that I have a healthier balance, I’m better

ing for made it a point to work reasonable hours. His per- of me, I wasn’t paying attention to her or the kids. I’ve prepared to tackle not only the challenges that arise in my

spective was that his work hours would drive the behavior changed what I call my home-life reintegration method and personal life, but I’m also better equipped to assist and lead

of the squadron. In other words, the later he worked, the deliberately choose not to check my inbox until after talk- my Airmen.

An open letter to my peers – ‘The in-house recruiter’

by Tech. Sgt. Tarshishcia J.S. Aiken celebrate with my husband and son, and was that his father pointed toward us and said, it certainly was worth it.
Holloman AFB, N.M. I excited to do some Christmas shopping as “Go ahead.” The little boy took off at the I’ll never forget the little boy and how
D¿UVWWLPHPRP speed of light running our way, and when
I’ll never forget the first time my Air he reached us, he threw his little hand up to enthused he was to salute me and my friend.
Force pride shot through the roof of my ,WZDVODWHZKHQDQG,OHIWWKHRI¿FHDQG the middle of his forehead to salute. He looked up to us and wanted to be us.
heart. I didn’t want to miss the store. So, I asked
my best friend to tag along and, against our By this time in our careers, saluting had When I became an NCO, I saw that little
It wasn’t upon graduating basic training; better judgment, we went directly to the toy become habitual for us. So, right on cue, we boy in every young man and woman who
that was more of a weight lifted relief. It store — uniform and all. honored him back with a crisp salute as if he entered the Air Force. They all reported to
ZDVQ¶WWKH¿UVWWLPH,VDZDQ)5DSWRU ZHUHDQRI¿FHU+HJDYHDELJJULQDQGUDQ WKHLU¿UVWGXW\VWDWLRQVHDJHUWRVWDUWWKHLU
take off, and it wasn’t when I, as a young When we got there and began walking in, back to his father. The dad smiled, waved career with pride to serve their country.
Airman, stood tall saluting during the sound I noticed a little boy and his father leaving. and said, “Thank you.” They looked to us and looked to us to guide
RI5HWUHDWDWP\¿UVWGXW\VWDWLRQ Having good “attention to detail,” just as them.
the Air Force teaches us, I took note that Right then, a surge jolted through me as
1R7KH¿UVWWLPH,H[SHULHQFHGWKDWOHYHO the boy was wearing a military costume. if I’d been on a roller coaster, and it was But then, something unexpected hap-
of passion to serve this country was on a I thought it was a little funny because it at that moment when my Air Force pride pened.
cold and chilly night outside of a toy store wasn’t Halloween. shown brighter than it ever had before. It
in Newport News, Va. was a surreal moment, and it took us a bit About a year or even as early as six
What parent would allow their child to to gather our emotions before we went into months into their careers, the enthusiasm
I’d just left work but desperately desired play dress-up randomly and furthermore do the store. to be a part of the world’s best Air force be-
to catch a good, one-time sale. Although I it out in public? gan to fade. Suddenly, “Yes, sir” and “Yes,
was tired after a long day, I was determined It wasn’t the best judgment to wear the PD¶DP´VWDWHPHQWV¿OOHGZLWKFRQ¿GHQFH
WRJREHFDXVHLWZDVWKH¿UVW&KULVWPDV,¶G I also noticed the little guy was tugging uniform out in a public place, but that night,
aggressively at his father’s arm. It was then See PEERS, Page 4

Commander’s

Action Line

email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil

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Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.
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The Commander’s Action Line should not be the
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