OCR Text |
Show 2 TIMES July 3, 2014 * 1.41 l top 4N, TIM Weekly Since 1948 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Standard-Examiner publisher Mitch Shaw Hilltop Times Writer Sarah Stoll Hilltop Times Correspondent Dana Rimington Hilltop Times Correspondent Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items email75abw.pa@us.af.mil or call 801-777-1902. For Classified Advertising, call 801-625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call 801-625-4388. Charles Horton The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop Times does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Government 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 Standard-Examiner, 332 Standard Way, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 801-777-1902 with story ideas or comments, or email 75abw.pa@us.af.mil . Call 801-625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 801-6254388 for Retail Advertising. HAWC Nest Marlin, from the Health and Wellness Center Studies have found that people who have smoked for years can dramatically reduce their risk of lung cancer and many other cancers by quitting. QM' TODAY. For assistance call the HAWC at 801-7771215. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2014 DUIs: 5 Hill's Last DUI: page Unit Involved: -FYN ey-ltreit ZUuy Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 801-777-1111 to request a ride anytime. Hours of operation: Fridays-Saturdays 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Sundays 9 p.m.-midnight. COMMENTARY Taking inspiration from our founding fathers BY GEN. JANET WOLFENBARGER Commander, Air Force Materiel Command WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — The Air Force is no stranger to challenging times. That's certainly the case today where, in the current fiscal climate, much is outside of our control and we are faced with a great deal of uncertainty. As I weigh that uncertainty, though, it occurs to me that our challenges today aren't so different from those faced by the founders of this nation 238 years ago this July Fourth. In signing the Declaration of Independence, our forefathers literally put their lives on the line. Reputedly, Benjamin Franklin cautioned, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." All those present signed, pledging "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor" to an uncertain fate. Our world today is ad- mittedly more complex, but the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — principles endorsed by those first American patriots — have endured and will continue to sustain us as an Air Force and as a nation through uncertain and challenging times. As we celebrate this Independence Day with our families and friends, all members of Air Force Materiel Command can be proud of what we do to help those principles endure, by executing our mission of equipping our Air Force for world-dominant airpower. Happy Birthday, America! 'Brown's Bag' — budget and leadership lessons BY BRIG. GEN. MARK A. BROWN Comptroller, Air Force Materiel Command WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — As I depart for my new assignment as the 2nd Air Force commander at Keesler AFB, Miss., I can't help but reflect on my previous assignments and what I've learned in my nearly 28 years of service. As a comptroller, I obviously pay a lot of attention to the budget environment. While current headlines might seem dire, today's fiscal environment is typical of a post war inter-war period. After two-plus decades of war — including major Air Force participation in humanitarian efforts — we should not be surprised that the nation is seeking a peace dividend. A similar trend has occurred immediately following major conflict since before the birth of our Air Force. The recurring pattern of upward and downward trends in the Defense Budget shows a predictable historical pattern with the national threat being the causal indicator. The nation has always provided additional resources needed to address a clear and present danger. Unfortunately, our track record in predicting the next threat in terms of timing and characteristics is not that good. Today's budget debate is really about how much is "enough" to achieve near-term readiness with reasonable investment in an uncertain future threat. The Defense Budget is a complex calculation, with one of the major cost drivers being personnel. Personnel costs are 38 percent of the Air Force Operations and Maintenance budget. Therefore, end strength changes achieved through programs such as early retirements and reductions in force boards represent hard budget decisions and threat calculations. The force management programs are a necessary step we must take as a force. However, as the threat and the budget change, so do the personnel decisions. These strategic policies can have the very tactical impact of causing frustration and uncertainty, especially among our junior force members. I always warn those who serve to be careful making decisions based on headlines. Airmen, talk with your commanders, career assistance advisers and other mentors to find out if you are at risk of being separated under one of the involuntary programs. Check your personnel folders to make sure all your records are up to date before separation boards begin reviewing them. If you want to serve, try your best to continue to do so by doing what you have a passion for and doing it well. Service is a privilege and an honor that we should all be allowed to pursue. As we go through these changes, we must strengthen the team by supporting each other and working as one. How can we support each other as good Airmen and leaders? Leadership is an Air Force core competency required without regard to a specific badge or specialty. It is an art, and not a science, because of the very real human dynamic. Therefore, like any art, we must practice and develop this skill set in large part through lessons of life — good and bad — that inform our future actions. In that light, I offer the following 11 points as my leadership perspective, or what I call "Brown's Bag." Point 1: What gets measured gets done. Publication in law, DODI or AFI may not be enough. Leaders should measure, grade and govern the things that are "no fail" in their business. How do you know it is being done as you directed? Point 2: Bloom where you are planted. Our business is global and will take you to places that you are yet to dream about. However, it is not based on your personal desires but the needs of the Air Force. An Air Force career, at some point, will require you to let go of your geographical preference in order to fully serve. Be ready to do that; have the discus- sion with your family. You never know what you do or do not like unless you try. Although it may feel like you are a flower planted in concrete, it is your job to show up and grow regardless of the perceived environment. I have loved every one of my assignments and didn't pick any of them. Point 3: You are neither betterlooking nor funnier on the day you take command or a leadership role. Don't let your rank get in the way of who you are. Continue doing the remarkable things that got you to your position. The special attention you are receiving is out of respect for your position. Earn it each day and it will continue to be yours. Seeing it as an entitlement is the beginning of your downfall. Point 4: Leaders must be willing to be lonely. Leaders must move the ball sometimes in no more than two years. This often means changing the status quo. Some may not be happy with the leader when this occurs. That's okay. You are put in a position to lead — not to win popularity contests. Point 5: Rank does not equal knowledge. Find ground truth and answers to your questions wherever the expertise exists. This could be two stripes or two stars. When I was a commander, I had a lot of meetings to figure out why traffic continued to back up at the front gate, but I wasn't satisfied with the explanations. One night, I rode his bike to the front gate with a couple of soft drinks in hand. I shared the soft drink with the airman first class gate guard and learned everything I needed to know. Point 6: Get mad and get over it. The days of toxic leadership plagued by emotional flare-ups and temper tantrums are over and have no place in today's Air Force. Leaders can and must be demanding but must not allow their anger to ruin their decorum as leaders. This is critical for a successful organization and to have the free exchange of ideas. Point 7: Read something every day. I was inspired by the admirable leadership of Bill Creech, which I read in "Creech Blue." This leader has passed away, but his lessons of rebuilding the then Tactical Air Command, post-Vietnam are timeless. There is much to learn beyond our brick and mortar classrooms. Point 8: Every human being deserves respect. Our nation and our Air Force believe in human dignity and respect. Nothing anyone can do disqualifies them from deserving human respect and dignity. Leaders must keep this in mind as we develop policies and actions that address large and diverse populations. Point 9: Once your health is gone, so are you. We are all replaceable and we should make time for our health. Our Vice Chief of Staff goes to the fitness center most days, so we should make the time as well. Point 10: Your intellect can take you to positions that your character cannot sustain. With the seemingly constant news of military leaders failing their core values, I implore leaders to keep integrity at the forefront of who they are. Our intellect will get us promoted, earn us distinguished graduate status and garner many other well deserved accolades. However, our character will sustain us and make us the leaders needed by our Air Force and the nation. Point 11: Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness. Leaders must be willing to stand-up and say that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. Our goal is to help treat it and get our Airmen back to the fight. If you strain your ankle during training, we take you out of formation with full intent to get you well and to return you to duty. Mental illness must be viewed through the same lens. LuE‘ ITYlh Report suspicious activity via the AFOSI EAGLE EYES program Dial: 777-3056 / 3057/ 3058. Watch — Report — Protect a Sensor Force Protection is Our Business — Everyone is 777-3056 Program Security Forces 777-3056 Hill Straight Talk 24-hr, Crisis Information 777-4134 IG Complaints Force Support Squadron 777-2043 (for appointment) Base Restaurants Retirement/Compensation 777-6142 IG Complaints (civilian) (after hours) Equal Opportunity Office 777-5455 Fraud, Waste or Abuse Employer Relations 777-7129 (recording) 777-1851 Loud Noise ....................... Military Pay ............ .......................... Civilian Pay ..... ........ ......................... „„„„ 777-6246 (complaints) Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 75th Medical Group 777-9696 777-5305 777-5361 777-5361 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Public Affairs 777-5333 Military Housing 825-9392 Maintenance Safety Office 777-3333 Safety Office Hotline 586-9300 777-1985 Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (or) 777-1964 Union 777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-1852 777-4681 Family Readiness Center (when activated) SUICIDE PREVENTION ASSISTANCE Mental Health Clinic 777-7909 Chaplain 777-2106 Military OneSource (800) 342-9647 National Suicide (800) 273-8255 Prevention Line TriWest Crisis Line (866) 284-3743 TriWest Behavioral (866) 651-4970 Health Contact Center EAP (800) 222-0364 777-1163 Occupational Medicine Services 777-2255 Wingman Advocates |