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March 4, 2016 COMMENTARY Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
2 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
For want of a nail
by Lt. Col. training and resources to do their assigned tasks. While
MICHAEL DUNN encouraging outside-the-box thinking we also need to define
lanes for the tasks at hand, timelines for completion, and if
56th Training Squadron not already stated, standards for completion. When it is time
to execute the mission a leader must be confident that troops
Lt. Col. Michael Dunn A centuries old proverb states, have been prepared and allow them to execute the tasks at
hand. We must trust every Airman and their supervisors
“For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe whether they are on the line or at the desk. We “trust but ver-
ify,” ensuring mission success through timely corrections. We
the horse was lost. For want of a horse the battle was lost. must also remove roadblocks or provide resources if needed.
For the failure of battle the kingdom was lost all for the Once we entrust ownership of a task to our Airmen and
show how they’re important to the overall mission we will
want of a horse-shoe nail.” find they will work to achieve success.
While in the modern Air Force we do not deal with horses The crew chief is an excellent example of this. The day
a young man or woman accepts the title of dedicated crew
and only worry about nails in terms of foreign object debris, chief something changes in them. Without a supervisor or
a commander watching over their every action, they take
this ancient proverb reminds us that the smallest failure, the extra time to make sure their airplane is clean and
mission capable. They feel the importance of their task and
deviation or discrepancy can lead to much larger failures. In own the responsibility. This applies to any career field if
leaders show their Airman how their piece, however big or
the safety world it is referred to as breaking the safety chain. small, fits into the larger picture.
At all levels from the commander to the most junior super- See NAIL, Page 15
visor, we are responsible for these details. The leader cannot
ACTION LINE and should not attempt to be in all places at all times, nor
IZSD#XVDIPLO can he be the expert on all facets of the mission. How then
The Commander’s Action Line do we ensure this nail gets placed and the kingdom does not
is your direct line to me with ques-
tions or suggestions about subjects get lost? We do this through leadership, delegation and trust.
of concern to the entire Luke Air
Force Base community. Gen. George Patton said, “Don’t tell people how to do
I appreciate your feedback. things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you
Your ideas and concerns help
build a stronger foundation on with their results.”
which we can successfully com-
plete our mission and take care of As leaders, we need to ensure our troops have the skill,
our people.
Are we fulfilling our commitment?
To receive a response, leave Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus
your name and telephone number. WK):FRPPDQGHU by Senior Master Sgt. and commitment. When you’re inter- not. It might be your leadership, your
Action Lines of general interest are RUSSELL EBERLE ested in doing something you do it peers or your subordinates, though I
printed in the Thunderbolt. Remember, the quickest and only when it’s convenient. When you’re will tell you it’s likely all of the above.
most efficient way to resolve a problem is to talk directly to 56th Communication Squadron committed to something you accept no As leaders, we must set the tone and
the responsible agency or through your chain of command. excuses, only results.” be an example to them all. We must
What is commitment? According to model to them the behaviors we desire
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along the dictionary, it’s defined as “an act of We witness this all the time in our from them. Whether demonstrated by
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, committing to a charge or trust.” I look day-to-day interactions with others. If staying late to finish award packages
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word. at it as always working hard, keeping you are interested, you show up some- or performance evaluations, address-
my word and giving my best at all times. If you are committed, you show ing poor performance on the spot, or
PHONE NUMBERS times regardless of the task at hand. up all the time. If you are interested, taking responsibility for the team’s
you allow things to just happen. If you failures while deflecting praise for
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 This is true for me whether applied are committed, you set specific goals their successes. Leading by example
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 to my personal or professional life. and monitor your progress. If you are is a must as it builds trust, fosters
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 While your definition may differ, I feel interested, you leave yourself an “out” teamwork and influences minds.
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 safe in saying we all made a commit- so when the interest fades or the task
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900 ment to our service and our country becomes too difficult it’s easy to move Vince Lombardi said it simply,
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 the day we enlisted or commissioned. on to something else. If you are com- “Individual commitment to a group
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 Our commitment to the success and mitted, you let no obstacle stand in effort is what makes a team work, a
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 protection of both should not and can- your way pushing through when the company work, a society work, a civi-
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 not end there. interest dies or when the task becomes lization work.”
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 boring or inconvenient. As leaders in
+RXVLQJRI¿FH In order to remain the greatest the profession of arms, we must show I believe we all had a desire to be
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 country and Air Force this world has our commitment to the mission and a part of something greater than
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 ever known, we must maintain the the people under our charge every ourselves when we chose to serve in
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 highest level of commitment in every single day. the Air Force. The day we took our
Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245 aspect of our service regardless of how respective oaths, we took on a great
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 mundane or grueling the task. Throughout my career I’ve heard the responsibility.
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028 adage, “Someone is always watching.”
2I¿FHRI6SHFLDO,QYHVWLJDWLRQ .............................623-856-6821 Ken Blanchard, an American au- So now ask yourself, are you com-
Outdoor Recreation .............................................. 623-856-6267 thor and management expert states, It’s true whether you realize it or mitted or just interested?
Pass and registration ............................................. 623-856-4880 “There’s a difference between interest
Patient advocate ................................................... 623-856-8968
Public Affairs ........................................................ 623-856-5853 Luke Editorial Staff 7KH7KXQGHUEROWXVHVPDWHULDOIURPWKH$UPHG)RUFHV,QIRUPDWLRQ6HUYLFH$LU
Security Forces ..................................................... 623-856-5970 )RUFH1HZV6HUYLFH$(7&1HZV6HUYLFHDQGRWKHUVRXUFHV$OODGYHUWLVLQJLVKDQGOHG
Straight Talk Line ................................................. 623-856-7064 Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus E\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ7KH\FDQEHUHDFKHGE\FDOOLQJ
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response .................. 623-856-4878 Public Affairs chief ................................................. Lt. Col. Matt Hasson
Vehicle Maintenance ............................................ 623-935-6576 Public Affairs deputy chief ........................................... Kiley Dougherty 7KH7KXQGHUEROWLVSXEOLVKHGE\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQR
Veterinary services ............................................... 623-856-6354 Internal information............................................... Staff Sgt. Staci Miller ZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWKWKH86$LU)RUFHXQGHUH[FOXVLYHZULWWHQFRQWUDFWZLWKWKHWK
Wellness Center .................................................... 623-856-2273 Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold )LJKWHU:LQJ/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$UL]7KLVFLYLOLDQHQWHUSULVH$LU)RUFHQHZVSDSHU
Youth Center ......................................................... 623-856-7470 Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie LVDQDXWKRUL]HGSXEOLFDWLRQIRUPHPEHUVRIWKH86PLOLWDU\VHUYLFHV&RQWHQWVRIWKH
7KXQGHUEROWDUHQRWQHFHVVDULO\WKHRI¿FLDOYLHZVRIRUHQGRUVHGE\WKH86JRYHUQ
Editorial Information PHQWWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI'HIHQVHRUWKH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH$LU)RUFH
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