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Show B Fighter' Cv unify September 23. 2004 Commentary: How do you define leadership? By Maj. Dean Judge 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron commander What defines a good leader? Is it someone who comes in early and goes home late? Is it the person who stays out of the way and ''coaches from the sidelines?" 0rt could il be a combination of several traits? Leadership can be defined in a number of ways, but how it's applied defines the.leader. From the first day we enter the Air Force, be it enlisted or commissioned, we look forward to the opportunity to lead others. As a young Airman, I looked forward to the day that I had enough stripes to be a squad leader and eventually a flight chief. As an officer, I looked forward to becoming a senior captain, maintenance supervisor and a squadron commander; and at last all those dreams have come true. Leadership is applied at all levels. When you see Airmen wearing their uniforms improperly or needing haircuts, do you correct them? This is as much a part of leadership as being at work and guiding your Airmen. Leadership is about doing the right thing all the time. Too many noncommissioned officers and officers today ignore someone violating Air Force standards simply because they don't • want to "cause any problems." If you fail to correct an individual violating standards, then you become part of the problem. We often find we have no problem correcting someone when they are not using technical data or not "perform ing their job up to standards, but we don't correct the small things. Correcting the small things can prevent the mistakes that lead to bigger problems. - Maj. Dean Judge In aircraft 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron commander maintenance,'our young Airmen are ____^^^===: placed in situachief and flight commander are all tions where someleaders in this chain. When one of one's life depends on them following these links fails to provide the proper the technical data and not skipping leadership, it can affect those in the steps. If they are not trained properly, rest of the chain. they could make a mistake, leading to Over the years, there have been the damage of an aircraft and maybe several books and articles written on even the loss of a life. leadership and management. Each one How do we prevent this? By prooften defines leadership differently viding leadership at all levels, by profrom the other. No single definition of viding the tools to do the job and the leadership can be agreed upon. Some training they need. A senior airman of our greatest military leaders weapons specialist is a leader, staff throughout history believed in reading sergeant dedicated crew chief is a books and studying leadership tactics leader, and an element chief, flight rrim ntary "Leadership can be defined in a number of ways, but how it's applied defines the leader." in order to become better leaders. For some of them it worked well, as demonstrated by their ability to lead their troops into battle and win. However, reading books and articles does not guarantee a successful leader in today's Air Force, but it can provide a basis for understanding leadership principles. So, how do you define leadership? By being at the forefront of your unit and taking care of your people and living up to the Air Force core values. One of my favorite definitions of leadership is from the book "Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun." by Wess Roberts, Ph.D. "Leadership is the privilege to have the responsibility to direct the actions of others in carrying out the purpose of the organization, at varying levels of authority and with accountability for both successful and failed endeavors." I believe this definition says what is expected of a leader. As a leader, you are held accountable for the success as well as the failure of your organization. In his book. Dr. Roberts lists 17 qualities expected in a leader: loyalty, courage, desire, emotional stamina, physical stamina, empathy, decisiveness, anticipation, timing, competitiveness, self-confidence, accountability, responsibility, credibility, tenacity, dependability and stewardship. If you apply these qualities to your definition of leadership, you can develop into a well-rounded leader. Can these books define leadership for you? Maybe not, but they can at least give you a foundation to build on. The ultimate definition of leadership is up to the person you look at in the mirror. I 3 m i Laundry xlay \xx Balad AB Airman 1st Class Lee Lawson from the 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, washes his laundry while deployed to Balad Afr Base, Iraq. Airman Lawson's unit is four weeks into their four month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. For information on coping with deployment returns, see article "Coping with deployment returns" on Page C. File Photos Last year Col. Charlie Lyon 388th Fighter Wing commander led commanders from throughout the wing in singing "Friends in low places," by Garth Brooks, at the Spouses' "Round-up" Nov. 14, 2003, at Club Hill. 'Round-up' Continued from Page A needy airmen and their families. Airmen Against Drunk Driving provides a safe and anonymous alternative for the Hill Air Force Base community after drinking. The Junior Enlisted Center helps increase morale and espirit de corps for junior enlisted. The Officers" Spouses" Club awards merit scholarships to family members of military and civilian personnel affiliated with Hill AFB. For those participating in the night's events, an optional buffet dinner will be available at Club Hill in the Wasatch Room. "This year's auction is a great opportunity for guests to enjoy a fun-filled evening with a wonderful opportunity to bid on some very unique items," said Carolyn Hagan, "Round-up" Committee chairperson. Items up for auction include handmade crafts, theme baskets and a very special item saved just for the live auction. Tickets for the "Round-up" are $5 presale and $7 at the door. For more information contact Mary Reidy at thereidyfamily@comcast.net. Courtesy Photo Terror threat greater than any other By Kathleen T. Rhem American Forces Press Service Phoio by Stall Sgt. Nakita Carlisle A quilt, handmade by Mrs. Karen Lyon, will be auctioned at the Spouses' "Round-up," a charity fundraiser at Club Hill Oct. 1. ' WASHINGTON - The threat of terrorism is greater than any threat this nation has ever faced, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper. And he said he believes today's Airmen are up to the challenge. The threat of terrorism is "greater than Nazism, greater than communism," General Jumper said. "This threat that we have of terrorist zealots is the most dangerous because these are people who care nothing about life," he said. "They care nothing about our lives, for sure, and they care nothing about their own lives." However, today's Airmen make up the best Published for People Like Staff Sgt. Joel Valle Unit: 388th Maintenance Operation Squadron, military training flight Air Force the world has ever seen, and they are the best equipped to battle this threat. General Jumper said. The service is leveraging technology in new and exciting ways, he said. Specifically, the Air Force is making leaps and bounds in leveraging space technology. It is also working with the other services in areas unheard of just a decade ago. ' The general said surveillance and network capabilities were showcased in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During a dust storm while the main fighting was still going on last year, military leaders saw the Air Force's ability to track Iraqi forces as they tried to send reinforcements to ground forces outside of Baghdad, Iraq. See Terror Page D FighterM&Country Editorial Staff Col. Charlie Lyon Commander Capl. Monica Bland Chief, Public Affairs Staff Set. Nakita Carlisle Editor Job: Maintenance training instructor Time In Service: Eight years, 10 months Most recent accomplishment: Became an maintenance training instructor Goals: To get my bachelors degree If I could change one thing at Hill AFB what would it be: Have people get more involved towards Hill AFB's goals "Ilie Fighter Country is .1 supple meni lo the Hilltop Times, published by MorMedia. Inc.. .1 private firm in no way connected with ihe U.S. Air Force, under exclusive tvritien contract with ihe Opdi'n Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Olfice. This commercial enterprise Ait Force newspaper is an audion/ed publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of Fishier Country .ire noi necewanly I IK offici.il views of, or endorsed by lire U.S. (iovemrneril, (lie Department of Defense or tlw Department of the Air l-orce. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force phoios. 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