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Show ttO Hilltop Times 13, 1988 May D ODD There cannot be any excuses for being late; the mission depends on you by SSgt. Louis A. Arana-Barrad- as Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office C5ood morning Sergeant Jones," the voice said. "This is an exercise recall. Please notify the next person on your list and be at work in less than one hour. Thank you, and IH see you there." You stagger out of bed, hurriedly brush your teeth and comb your hair, dress in the proper uniform, jump into your boots, grab your mobility bag and -- before running out the door and into your car -- kiss your groggy wife and sleeping kids goodbye. Sound familiar? At one time or another most servicemembers get a call like that normally early in the morning. It's usually a telephone recall for an exercise. But, because we never know when one of these calls will be for the real thing, we must always respond as if we going to war. It's part of the service way of life, and something we all must get used to. Not only is it your responsibility to notify the next person on the recall list, but you must get to work on time. That's right. From the time you put down the phone, to the moment you step foot into your work section, you have just one hour. That doesn't mean one hour and five minutes -- it means exactly that, one hour or less. After all, timeliness is the biggest factor in an exercise what it's all about. There can be no excuses, like: "My car wouldn't start. . .the cops stopped me for having a burned out left tail light. . .the traffic was too slow. . .a moose ran into my car. . .or I thought I was dreaming." you're late, the mission is late. Being ready to accomplish the mission is a commitment we must all live with J Because, what if we were called on to take part in a deployment and people were late? We couldn't do the job we swore to do. Everyone, regardless of his or her job, must comply -- and quickly. If just one person a pilot, crew member, cook, maintenance mechanic, munitions loader, clerk, radio operator or any other worker is late, it could impair a unit's ability to get the mission done. If real-wor- ld Granted, an exercise is much different than the real thing, but it's through exercises that we determine if we're ready to do the mission when called upon to do it. That's why we must take every exercise seriously, as if for real. If we aren't ready, then the command isn't ready. If the command isn't ready, then the Air Force isn't ready. And if the Air Force isn't ready, then the nation isn't ready. Remember, readiness begins with you. If you were recalled, would you be ready and get to work on time? I certainly hope so. i ' r ft case things get worse -- we canceled our bonds. Doing so guaranteed us the minimum income for now and the future, even if it gets better. This year's U.S. Savings Bond campaign slogan, "Your Passport to a Better Future," is never more true than now. The stock market continues to be unpredictable; interest rates on savings accounts are low; and we just don't know if we will be able to avoid even a short by Col.ALCRonald U.S. E. Gordon Ogden Savings Bond Campaign Director D t must be spring. I've got hay fever, mosquito bites and a bond drive canvasser beside every drink- ing fountain. And what a year to be harassed to buy bonds. My kid's college tuition went up; the new tax laws wiped out my 2 percent raise; I can't work overtime to help on the car payment; and now theyare threatening a furlough. Uncle Sam wants me to invest in furlough. So, what we need is a nice, safe, "in-betwee- easily beat savings account rates, yet we will not be seriously penalized if we really need money for an emergency. Furthermore, the longer we keep bonds, the more they are heard about the possible furlough. We stuck our money in a sock, or a savings account. But why? Just when we need a safe, competitive and accessible investment in low-payi- investment. Savings n" bonds are just the ticket. Sure, we won't make a killing, but we won't get killed either. We can America? Fat chance! Sound familiar? Do you feel that way yourself ? A few of us canceled existing bond allotments when we worth. In fact, after five years, bonds can earn much more based on the current market rates for notes. So, if the economy gets ng five-year'treas-- Thanks for my homo Ad-re- I'd like to thank all the nice people at the base housing office for the help they have given me -- and other , t ss cCtzt fci fetters to t$t OO-AICP- A, 110 AFD, Utch (COALCPA GIs. Every time I've gone into that office, 1'ye received courteous, :' friendly" and professional help.. The , staff is knowledgeable and always willing to help. Since they move often, GIs and their families have special problems.That's why it takes a spe- dal kind of person to make new arrivals feel welcome -- and to give m frank honest and reliable in- - ple also predict a gradual recovery over the next five years with an accompanying rise in interest rates. If that's the case, why invest in a market that's going to lose ground? Why not buy bonds now, then when the economy turns, we can benefit from the expected increase. Of course, we can't predict what's going to happen. But that's what makes a payroll savings bond plan so appealing. We can always be putting a little away, regardless of what's happening. We know that we are earning competitive rates whether the market is going up or down. U.S. SAVINGS BONDS THE GREAT AMERICAN INVESTMENT T hot again, savings bonds will help us take advantage. Many major investment firms and economists are predicting little improvement for a few more months, then the market is going to "retrench" (it will drop). These peo Lot's war on drugs With all due respect to the Air Force's general counsel, Anne Foreman, I take exception to her comments at the recent Law Day luncheon. . - -- formation on available housing, on or off the base. The housing office staff is doing a great job getting that much needed information out. Satisfied customer She expressed dismay that. Con; . !gress might use the' military' to fight the drug invasion of our countryV She thought it unusual that a force designed to combat foreign adver- saries would be used to counter drugs. However, given South America's "cartels," perhaps dubiously and covertly backed by Communist-blo- c nations, there couldn't be a more These facts are true for the small investor, as well as the large. Many folks only have a small thrift savings plan for retirement. Bonds give them a sound investment that can be used before retirement. Then there's the big wheeler dealer who is looking for a safe way through the uncertain times ahead. That's why bonds are your passport to a better future. subtle, yet deadly invasion of ' America. the True, drug abuse crisis and its criminal derivatives won't end until people are convinced to stop using drugs. But shouldn't we make it as uncomfortable as possible for the w producers until the majority of Americans become drug free? t I believe the using military along -our borders whether on the ground, on the sea or in the sky -- is a most appropriate means to stop a foreign invasion. This invasion may not be armies of soldiers, but the risk is the same. Use our forces r 1 |