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Show 10 Hilltop Times COMMENTS Aug. 11, 1989, DuQ(Uss Quo Be positive and work hard to reach potential don't care's will stand still, Col. Robert by Rhein-Mai- M. Richards AB, West Germany n urine a iy4 exercise m Korea, Lt. uen. Charles L. Donnelly (now a retired general), visited a camp area during breakfast. In the mess tent, he observed an obviously cheerful, industrious airman first class serving food. When the general asked the cook what he did to support the exercise, the airman responded that he was the best cook in Korea and it was his job to give the troops a good breakfast, so they'd be fit to go out and fight for freedom. General Donnelly promoted the man on the spot. That airman had a positive attitude and definitely impacted other people positively. In today's military, there are three types of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who ask "What happened?" There is a saying that verifies this idea: "No matter how rocky the road, some people will forge ahead. No matter how easy the i road, some people will la& behind." While doers forge ahead on that road and non-doelag behind, the third group of folks the . rs rare co fomidl by Chaplain (Maj.) David H. Parkinson Hill AFB chapel IHI ow rare a gift today, having no strings attached; given with no recompense or recognition expected. Our world today seems to require some sort of condition for every effort or kindness given. People tend to measure self worth by the way they are treated by others and conditional love or caring falls so short of the fulfillment potential. We treat a with kindall is going well, but ness as long as times of stress or conflict, during often is withheld as a thoughtfulness means of punishment or retribution. Persons who are treated with consideration and understanding during times of prosperity or anxiety develop a confidence in their leadership which promotes loyalty and dedicated service. The gifts of sight to the blind, -- co-wor- ker if they even get on .. the road. Everything in the military, as in life, is all a matter of attitude. As a military judge I have witnessed these three types of people as defendants. It's usually not difficult to tell from the charges or the person's military record, if he (the accused in has an attitude problem at the time of committing the offense. A doer has a positive attitude that only causes a problem if he becomes wrapped up in himself. Most of the time, problems occur when people have negative or apathetic attitudes. A person with a negative attitude is against almost everything new ideas, authority, progress and achievement. A neutral attitude can be attributed to someone who doesn't care about anything or anybody. This kind of attitude causes a person to practically drop out of the real world. Your attitude is your incentive or your drawback. By facing reality, you can always change your attitude. Most problems will affect your outlook on life, but most problems are brought on by you alone. Though often hard to believe, this is a truism. . ... . ... . Some neutral, attitude folks don't try to achieve because they have a fear of failing. Remember court-martia- l) . . , that failing is trying but not succeeding; giving up is worse than failing because you never even tried. Failing is honorable; giving up is not. Hard work is another form of exercise often overlooked. .Work for something, instead of against it or not working at all. People who roll up their sleeves rarely ever lose their shirts. All of us have jobs that are important in the overall scheme of things; otherwise the job would not exist. There is no job in today's military that is small or trivial. The billeting clerk gets the aircrew rooms so they can rest in order to fly safely tomorrow. The motor pool mechanic maintains a staff car so it won't cause an accident and injure someone; The list is endless. You are paid to do a job. You should earn your pay by doing that job the best possible way you can. The world doesn't owe you anything -- except what you earn. The Air Force doesn't need ers who don't think and thinkers ,who don't work. Work at having a positive attitude for just one week. YouH be amazed a the results you'll achieve, and you may like yourself more. Doing positive things for others, your country and yourself is the rent you pay for occupying space in the world. Don't have a negative or neutral attitude; you may be evicted. Editor's note: Colonel Richards is the chief circuit court military judge, U.S. Air Force Trial Article courtesy Judiciary, 6th Circuit, Rhein-Maiof Military Airlift Command News Service. n. ftdiy hearing to the deaf, life to the lifeless, comfort to the struggling, wisdom to the confused, were all given by Jesus Christ as he spent his days on earth. On several occasions he even asked that the gift not be spoken of to others. This kind of caring drew people to him and for many, their loyalty became unquestioned. This kind of leadership has application in the Air Force family today. The leader who shares gifts of time to listen or assist, encouragement during stress, instruction and commendation when work is worthy, will find drawn closer and loyalty increasing. When people feel loved, accepted and needed for themselves, "no strings- attached," they will be more ' inclined to do more than is required of them in service to their leader and their organization. jv. Editor's note: Chaplain Parkinson is the senior Reserve chaplain here. ; co-work- ers - "No hitting below the belt, right?" if used to find a solution, be can good hey inrOc0 but Wendy Whiners' only make things Worse IPJULnJuo by Col. Jack Lauer Moody AFB, Ga. id you ever stop to think how many times you complained or griped about something this week? Maybe you didn't like something at the base exchange, the commissary was out of your favorite food or some regulation or procedure just drove you up a wall. . . i Tf i. n yuu die Hive many ytzvyic, yuu cue a gicai complainer, but that's about all you do. There are many "Wendy Whiners" or "Charlie Complainers" in the world but few "Freddie Fixers." Well, I am here to tell you, if you don't like something on the base or if you want to improve something, you can make the difference. The answer lies in taking actions. Stop being a couch potato and get involved.' " . Yes, involvement is a nasty word. It means you have to give some thought to the problem or situation, try to find a solution and take the time to follow through on the corrective action. A basic rule I use, which helps me stop being a complainer, is: if I don't like something and find myself complaining about it, then I must be persistent, get involved in a solution and find the right person or group to make the change. Or, if I don't want to take the time to find a solution to the problem then I can shut up and stop com. ' : ; ' ' v plaining. It's that simple. So, the next time you hear people complaining' about work areas, the regulations or some on- - or organization, ask them what they have done to correct the problem. We have many avenues at hand to help people make changes -t- he model installation program, the suggestion program, the inspector general, direct lines, advisory groups, commander's calls ... ; off-ba- and so on. YouH find if you use the system, it will work. Everyone can make a difference, but there must be commitment. Every day, I start off by saying that I am going to make life better. It may be helping someone I work with, improving how the wing operates, or making something in my own family better. If everyone tried to improve one thing every day, this world would be a great . place. " So, if you see something that needs fixing, don't stop complaining, but make sure you take the extra steps and follow through with the solution. You can make a difference every day. The real question is, do you? se Editor's note: Colonel Lauer is deputy com- mander for resource management with the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing at Moody. Article courtesy of Tactical Air Command News Service and the Moody Excalibur. i . l.V. I. |