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Show 6 HILL TOP TIMES Friday, Nevwnbtr4, 1983 editorials 71 Adf IFir(se By David Barr Air Force News Service T(dl! piys - The greying chief master sergeant a composite of many who have worn the Air Force blue uniform sat hunched over his cup of coffee, staring across the flightline, toward the hill to the west. His memory wandered back over the years to a time when he had first arrived at the hill at Lackland AFB, Texas, for his basic training. His reverie was suddenly broken by the voice of a man much younger than himself. Two young airmen, sitting in the next booth, were talking between bites of freshly cooked hamburgers. 'You'd think a country as rich as ours could afford to pay me .more than I'm getting," said the first.' His friend grunted agreement as he ate. "Boy, does that sound familiar. How many times have I said the same thing?" the old chief thought, taking a sip of his rapidly cooling coffee. , DriimUdirDg soft ion "Yet, when you look back," he thought, "Old Uncle Sugar isn't doing badly toward those guys." The chief with less than a year from retirement pondered his past "dollar days." When he first entered the Air Force back in 1955, two years after the Korean War, he had earned the grand sum of $83.20 a month. Today that amount wouldn't even cover his utility bills most months. Known as what some people would call a "fast burner" in those days, the old chief considered how lucky he had been. His promotions had come right on time for each cycle except for one. He remembered how he had been promoted to chief 1976 master sergeant during the bicentennial and how pay had changed since then. The chief thought of one of his former supervisors who had become one of the very first chiefs. That was back in 1958. Oh, how he had envied that man and His $440 a month. Doing some quick math in his head, he mused, "Good grief, the basic pay I'm getting now could d yes d of the have paid the salary of five and I Here make chief master sergeants. original received and basic a month only they pay, $2,215.20 $440." He grinned as he thought about what the young man in the next booth had said. "Young man," he thought, "if you only knew the $83.20 1 got back in 1955, even with its buying power, still isn't nearly the $573.60 that basic trainees start with today. No sir. "In dollars and cents, things have really changed and for the better, I'd say." in this Air Force The old chief swallowed the last of his coffee, scooted across the booth's slick seat and headed back to his work section. Before leaving the room, however, he put his hand in his pocket and, smiling at the two young airmen eating their hamburgers, shook the coins there a private signal that the "good old days" were not , "back then." They are now if we make them that way.(AFNS) . wirk dictated by scaffefy, If employees are observed by Security Police consuming alcohol in a nondesignated area, they may be issued a DD Form 1805 for violation of Open There are many misconceptions about drinking - Container or Public Intoxication. If such an incident and Air Force employment, including the most would occur then employees could have legal and administrative action taken against them. widespread myth that an Air Force employee is allowed to drink "two beers at lunch." Although "The regulations say I can drink two beers at drinking during lunch is not prohibited, AFR 215-- 7 recommends that Air Force employees do not drink lunch." There are no current policies that allow employees alcoholic beverages prior to or during their workto consume "two beers at lunch." If employees ing hours. Furthermore, there are laws and regula- drink alcoholic beverages during their lunch break tions which govern the sale, possession, and use of at authorized areas are still they responsible for alcohol on Air Force installations. for under the influence of intoxnot duty The following information is provided to answer reporting If in a supervisor's opinion an situations and icating liquor. frequent responses to alcohol-relate- d is incapacitated for duty, a supervisor to help in dealing with current and future incidents. employee medical and security police assistance. request "If it's OK to drink on base, I can drink may If the employee consents, the base medical services anywhere on base." will make an evaluation concerning an employee's In no instance is alcohol consumption on Hill the Security Police will administer a AFB allowed in the work area, offices or parking condition and test. . lots. AFR 215--7 prohibits the sale and consumption breathalyzer "I'm not drunk. I know how much I can drink of alcoholic beverages except in designated areas without it affecting me." authorized by the Base Commander. AFLC SuppleThe final decision as to whether an employee can ment 1 to AFR 215-- 7 designates the locations where alcohol may be consumed. Alcoholic beverages sold safely perform a job is the supervisor's! If the super-viso- r believes the employee can be an "immediate by the base restaurants, open messes, and recreato government property or to the threat tion centers must be for consumption' and cannot be taken into or around the work area. of the employee, fellow workers, or the public," the I "I can drink a beer in my car during lunch supervisor has full authority to enforce leave on an time." employee (FPM Chapter 751). By Jerry Piesik Civilian Personnel - one-thir- "I've regulafiioras had two beers for lunch. Besides, I've done nothing wrong." only If an employee is involved with misconduct, a supervisor has the right and obligation to initiate disciplinary action. When an employee cannot perform the job, cannot return to work or violates any regulations because of alcohol misuse, a supervisor may take appropriate discipline, up to and including removal (AFR In the final analysis, the employee is responsible for his or her actions. If an employee drinks during lunch break, he or she should be "ready, willing and able to work." Don't add to the problem! Just because "everyone" says it can be done, does not 40-750- make ). it a fact. . well-bein- g on-premi- se . Leadership involves selling example, gaining respect By Col. John E. Chambers Davis Mohthan AFB, Ariz. Centuries ago at a small Grecian mountain pass called Thermopylae, a Spartan king and a few hundred men held off thousands of invading Persians. The king, Leonidas, did not hesitate when he said, "Wherever we are posted, there we stand, come life or death, to the end." didn't sit on a rock in the ' background and tell his men to "Do as I say, not as I do! " He led them into battle. He was one of the first to die. His men fought for hours just to retake his body from the enemy. He led and died setting the example. You've all heard it before: "Do as I m- - !. T J a iiai 8 iL. wie taiuiau say, nub us a uu. phrase that seems to come out when the troop mentions his supervisor's discrepancies. It is a phrase that knows no boundaries. It's the excuse for being late, overweight, incompetent and even out of regulations. One I Leonidas A. ? 4.1. 4.- i Irsdinj by example! i it. ? -1 11 Who's responsible for leading by example? Everyone, because every service member at one time or another will be the senior person present. It's obvious Leonidas' troops had high esteem for him; his image was one of strength. The image of strength and its end result in leadership is much more effective than disciplinary ? paperwork. In today's Air Force, to lead by example means that you should be physically fit, clean and neat. The result will be a better you. You need to be competent. The result will be respect for your abilities. Finally, you need to be an individual of honor; the result will be loyalty. Discipline is necessary to maintain a strong united force. Leadership by good example is our foundation. Without it, there can be little respect for authority and precious few good examples to follow. The next time one of our Air Force members disappoints you, think about the example you are setting. Leonidas set the example for his men; his men set the example for history. 3 (TACNS) Safety needed in cleaning procedures By Ron Blair Fire Inspector Many fires occur while people are cleaning metal parts and equipment. It is an important time to be conscious of the danger of the equipment and liquids being used. Here are a few ideas about safe cleaning procedures. Use only safety type solvents. Never use flammables such as gasoline or jet fuel. These fumes are heavier than air and can be ignited from a flame source far away. Keep all sources of ignition out of the area. That means no smoking or open flames. Watch out for hidden flames such as pilot b'ghts, hot water heaters, or operations that produce sparks, which includes grinders and even light switches. Most commercial units have explosion type wiring. tion system that pulls the fumes away from the work area. This ventilation system should be interfaced with any spray operation so that you cannot spray without the ventilation on. - 7 7- Check your equipment before you start. Know, where a fire extinguisher is located, how to operate it and proper fire reporting pro-- cedures. Make sure there are no leaks and that all commercial and safety equipment is in place and operating properly. Be sure fusible links are in place and that they operate correctly. In the event of an actual emergency, the links should fuse and the lid or door should close automatically. If a spill should occur, do not clean it up with sawdust or rags. Use an approved solvent, pick-u- p material. If a spill should occur on your clothes, remove them immediately Have the area you are in well and wash all exposed skin with soap ventilated. You should be on the and water. If solvent should get inground floor level or above. In to an existing cut, see a physician. basements, fumes tend to collect in Cleaning operations are part of our pockets. On most commercial equip- lives and can be done safely if safement, there is an installed ventila ty rules are followed. |