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Show comments HILL TOP TIMES November 13, 1987 Many have tendency to think their part is not as important By Larry Austin Chief, cost accounting, Comptroller Division Eril ave you ever wondered what you contribute to the national defense? You work for the Air Force -- the second largest member of America's armed forces. But do you feel you're just a voucher examiner, nut tightener, welder or clerk? Because we sometimes think that our jobs are tedious, we have a tendency to believe they are not very important in the overall defense picture. One of my former bosses had a plaque hanging on his office wall which read: Those who have fought and almost died for freedom have a taste for it that the protected will never know.'" The more I contemplate this statement, the more I appreciate it. Most of us will never be asked to put our life on the line for freedom in the same way as those who actually participated in wars and skirmishes throughout the world. We do, however, lay our lives on the line in a different way. A significant portion of our life is devoted to the preservation of freedom through the jobs we report to every day. Everytime we pay a voucher, tighten a nut, weld a seam or serve a customer we are contributing to the preservation of freedom. We are making it possible for those who actually go into combat to do so with the attitude, equipment and support to win. If our freedom is to be preserved through fu relations are a must for harmony with now essential skills H u ma n problems Dealing he Air Force, being a very large and diverse family of personalities, with a critical requirement for unity toward common goals, often under adverse conditions, has great need for human relationship skills which promote harmony and family solidarity. Some counsel and insight regarding these skills is given in the New i uiirn MwwwwBWWtwwwwmwwwtwwwTwwwgwTwmwwwMw rrTTTrm I,,, HfasSSsf School time-fram- sues which are in conflict. Immediate handling of the situation, while neither time nor physical distance can cloud things, is what is suggested in the injunction: "quickly, while thou art in the way with him." course which seems to, go against our basic desire for fair play. Further consideration gives a greater non-emotio- time-fram- oe ii ? "L greatly enhanced. e in which most The problems can be best handled is now. Time sometimes heals, but more often confuses and distorts the is- him..." (Matthew 5:25) This injunction, given by the Savior, is effective when applied to interpersonal relationships. Upon first consideration, it would appear that we are being advised to give in to those who oppose us a toe-to-t- an -- only solves the problem, but , builds a relationship with others is "Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with de .. - not Testament: side-by-si- , though we, figuratively speaking, place our arm around the other person in an attempt to see, as clearly as possible, their side of the confrontation. In doing this, we demonstrate a concern for them and for justice, rather than a defense for our own position. Our ability to work through the disagreement, in a way which By Chaplain (Maj.) David Parkinson Senior reserve chaplain insight. We are being admonished to avoid confrontive behavior; to relate to our opponent in such a way as to leave open lines of communication in a environment. Thus, the counsel given is in two parts: how to deal with confrontae tion, and the making it effective. most Let's consider the first part, the confrontation. The counsel to "agree with thine adversary" is to agree to understand the other's point of view; to agree to keep communication lines open; to agree to keep emotions out of it. Even our body language should communicate a apto the rather than a proach problem approach. It should be as ...ui ture conflicts and tests of power, we must constantly keep an eye on the ultimate, reason for our jobs. We must realize that we are making a contribution. Our actions on the job can contribute to or detract from the morale of combat troops; increase or decrease a weapons system's chance of functioning properly; or add to or diminish a contractor's confidence in dealing with the Air Force to provide goods and services essential for our national defense. We may not have the same taste for freedom that those who have fought and almost died do, but we are daily giving a portion of our lives by making a definite contribution. Let's dedicate our time on the job to the preservation of freedom -- by making sure our contribution is the very best which we can give. . Even when emotion is evident in our adversary, it can be moderated and even completely changed if we act calmly with a sincere attempt to understand hisher side of the problem. It is difficult to argue with someone who is trying hard to understand your point of view. When this kind of behavior is modeled, the natural reaction for the opponent is to do the same. When two people search together for the solution to a conflict, the settlement is usually almost immediately forthcoming. If each of us in the Air Force community would give each other the benefit of the doubt and seek to understand the other's point of view, we would experience far more unity and the effect would greatly enhance the mission of the Air Force. tPt?G)(?uDDg Getting ready mentally By SSgt. Louis Arana-Barrad- as Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office A. I drove to work the other morning, I was taken aback by the majestic splendor of the Wasatch Mountains. It was a dark and rainy morning. The mountains were shrouded in low clouds and mist. With the mountains in their autumn colors, and the winds sculpturing the clouds into strange wispy figures, it was a truly beautiful sight. It was my first realization that winter would soon be here. Then, as I drove through the base, I noticed that several cars skidded or swerved a bit as they were driven through puddles or were making turns. Another sign of winter approaching. Maybe people should realize that it's time to start the annual "winteri-zation- " of their vehicles -- and also their way of thinking. That's right. Everyone should have ?? rJDDuO!? is just as important the common sense to prepare their car for the winter, ensuring that everything works, that snow tires are put on and that all emergency sup-- : plies are replenished. However, how many people stop to think about preparing themselves mentally for driving in winter condi-- j tions? I'm sure there are a few peo4 pie who do. But also sure there are; many more who don't. To a native Utahh or person ac- customed to winter driving, it should be a piece of cake to prepare. But what about those people who have just come from an assignment to a tropical area? They need to prepare themselves. The base safety office has informa-tion which can give the theory of winter driving, but it's the driver who must put it into practice. Start getting ready now. Don't wait until the mountains and valley are snow covered. Because then youH be too busy controlling your car to enjoy the beauty. ; J j ; r C ? QiTJO. timei Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hill Top Times arc not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Depart ment of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office staff, Bldg. 1102, Room 118, Ext. 77321. Hill AFB Editorial Staff: Maj. Dick B. Baldwin s SSgt. Louis A. Staff Writers: Chris Baierschmidt Ernie Shannon ' " A1C Jay Joersz Sports Editor , Ralph C. Jensen Deadlines: 4 P m- - Monday, week of publication; "around hiU items, 10 a.m. Monday, week of publication; ads, 2 p.m. Wednesday, week of publication. Public Affairs Officer I?!,; Arana-Barrada- " ,.E' clas-sifie- d |