Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, So. AZ Edition, July 7 2017

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July 7, 2017 Desert Lightning News www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
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Be S.M.A.R.T. when setting goals
by Master Sgt. DEERICK GRAY
96th Weather Squadron
A goal is the result or achievement toward which effort is directed. Goals can be short or long-term, personal, professional, spiritual or physical, and are usually specific to a person or group.
According to Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican Uni- versity in California, you are 42 percent more likely to reach a goal by writing it down. In short, a goal that is not written down is just a thought.
On my first and second deployments I had no strategy for setting goals. For my third deployment, I bought a journal and wrote down my goals and plans to make them a reality. As a result, I com- pleted three online college courses and earned two Community College of the Air Force degrees. I also completed sev- eral hours of professional development,
became debt free and most importantly, effectively managed my time. I achieved more on my third deployment than my first two combined.
When setting goals, you must make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely, or S.M.A.R.T. A specific goal has a greater chance of being accomplished and al- lows for strategic planning. A measur- able goal establishes concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the at- tainment of each goal set. You should set milestones to track progress and make corrections as needed. To ensure goals are attainable, you must figure out the best route to take to achieve your goals. The Professional Development Guide describes this as the planning phase. You are the best person to determine if a goal is realistic based on your abilities. For instance, a goal of losing 50 pounds in 30 days is not realistic. To ensure your goal is timely, have a reasonable comple- tion date and adhere to the checkpoints
set. If these steps are skipped, you will easily get off track.
As the individual setting the goal, you should also make sure people who can assist in achievement know it. For example, if your goal is to make senior airman below the zone, it is probably a good idea to let your supervisor know your intentions. Making your goal known shows your motivation to live the core value of excellence. Can you really be “excellent in all you do,” if you do not set goals to become excellent? Also, setting and achieving goals gives you confidence to set greater milestones and achieve them.
Setting goals is an important aspect of life that has been proven repeatedly. My current goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting. One of the mile- stones I set was the completion of four classes during this deployment. I am well on the way to accomplishing that milestone. Knowing my strengths and weaknesses has made accomplishing
this easier. It is never too late in life or on a deployment to set goals.
So, I pose the question, “How many of you have goals?” We all have to start somewhere. I will see you at the finish line.
Juneteenth celebrates abolition of slavery
Don’t underestimate importance of sacrifices
by Chief Master Sgt. MATTHEW LUSSON
31st Fighter Wing
Editor’s note: This commentary was first published Feb. 19, 2015.
As I was reviewing some enlisted performance reports and decorations today, I started contemplating a huge event in my life that occurred almost 20 years ago.
In April of 1995, I asked my then girlfriend Tiffani, a fellow Airman at the time, to be my wife, for better or worse. We were married later that year, and along our journey these past 20 years, we have seen many places, been blessed with two wonderful children and made many friends.
What really got me thinking though, were the numerous sacrifices that my wife and two children have made.
Throughout the journey, my kids have been asked to change schools six times, each time giving up old friends to make new ones. Some of those transitions were easy, but some have been difficult. The resiliency they have shown each time though, inspires me. In some instances, they have actually been the ones itching to move, long before I ever was. My wife has been asked to give up two different jobs along the way as well, not really ever getting the opportunity to start a career. Additionally, my family has had to deal with me missing many birthdays, anniversaries, etc., due to my temporary duties and deployments.
We, as service members, raise our right hand and solemnly swear to defend the United States, against all enemies foreign and domestic. We signed on the dotted line vowing to give our lives in its defense, if needed, but nowhere on that contract does it say that our families should do the same.
Whether you have a wife, husband, partner, children or simply family back in your hometown, we all have someone, somewhere along the journey with us that didn’t sign that contract. They endure the difficulties, the uncertainties of deploy- ments and the joy of reuniting with one another after those separations.
My family has sacrificed so much over these years to allow me to do what I love, which is taking care of our Airmen. I cannot say “Thank you” enough or rewind time to make up for those missed birthdays and anniversaries. I don’t think any of us would change a thing, but I simply wanted to let them know how much they are loved and appreciated and that I understand the sacrifices they have made.
Two things I ask: First, don’t ever underestimate how much the support and sacrifice of our families means to our success. Second, please ensure you go home tonight and thank those you love, give them a call if they are not with you, or give them a big hug if they are.
I can think of no greater thing than serving in the world’s greatest Air Force alongside the world’s greatest Airmen, but without my family and their support and sacrifices, none of it would have been possible. We all look forward to seeing where the journey continues to take us.
WASHINGTON — “Juneteenth, the annual observance commemo- rating the June 19, 1865, announce- ment of the abolition of slavery, represents what is possible,” Navy Vice Adm. Kevin Scott said at a Pentagon ceremony today.
“I am three generations removed from slavery in the state of Vir- ginia, and so when I think about Juneteenth, I think what it must have been like to be in Galveston, Texas, on that day when those sol- diers were over in the town,” said Scott, the Joint Staff ’s director of joint force development.
While slavery was abolished in states in rebellion by the Eman- cipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, that news did not reach Texas until Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger traveled to Galveston with Union troops and issued General Order No. 3. It stated “The people of Texas are informed that, in ac- cordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
“The soldiers represented what this country could be and what this country should be,” Scott said, adding, “That uniform represented something.” Scott spoke in the Hall of Heroes, a room in the Pentagon where the names of all the Medal of Honor recipients are listed.
Juneteenth’s personal meaning
Juneteenth has significant per- sonal meaning for Scott, who explained he lived in segregated
Portsmouth, Virginia, in the 1960s. “It touched home for me 100 percent, when as a new, shiny pilot with my wings on, I was stationed
in Norfolk, Virginia,” he said.
As he drove his mother around nearby Virginia Beach and excit- edly pointed to sites, she suddenly fell silent, he said. She said she never imagined he would have made it where he was -- not because of his potential, but because of the tremendous challenges African-
Americans faced, he said.
“She said, ‘When I was a young
girl growing up, we couldn’t go to Virginia Beach.’ I get choked up just thinking about it.”
Possibilities, opportunities
“Embrace the excitement and hope of Juneteenth,” Scott urged.
“It’s about what is possible. It’s about the opportunity,” he said. “That spirit of Juneteenth in terms of what is possible should motivate us, should drive all of us, for our children’s sake and for our sake.”
Scott reminded the audience that many ordinary things -- just like his drive around Virginia Beach -- are actions that once were restricted for African-Americans but are now guaranteed freedoms that people can do without a second thought.
“We need to stand by each other and support each other and celebrate this day for what it is,” he said.
Courtesy of defense.gov
COMMENTARY