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Show Fighter Country Page 2a Even when it hurts Putting country above self still bottom line of service By Lt. Col. Steven Barach Operations Group deputy commander "Service" is this week's topic of discussion. The concept of military serone of the Air Force's core valvice ues has evolved somewhat over the last two or more decades. If we look back to the Second World War, which in my opinion was our country's last "classic" military struggle, the idea of service implied part time soldiers suffering considerable discomfort for the if not loss of life overall benefit of a nation engaged in a titanic struggle. And by the way, much of the noncombatant population also "served" through the production of war materiel, volunteer work, or rationing. Another facet of "service" could have included enduring those desperate periods between great wars when the military was pathetically underfunded, undermanned, and underemployed. The idea was that some stalwart souls were needed to form the core of a fighting force for great conflicts sure to follow. The Korean Conflict ushered in a citizen-- series of smaller wars that were locally intense but did not occupy the nation's full economic or military attention our Asia is in Southwest continuing activity a recent example. Advanced technologies which have techni- increased the need for a cally capable force, the "me first" ethos of the 80's, and the Soviet Union's departure from the world stage have all had impacts on our nation, our military institutions, and maybe, our concept of ser- "We need to aim high, but at the right target " Lt. Col. Steven Barach JJ U Operations Group deputy commander full-tim- e, vice. Having come to the conclusion that our concept of service might not be what it used to be, exactly what is it? Or better yet, what should it be? Succinctly put, our notion of "service" should encompass the idea of for the greater good. Or rather, the subordination of personal needs, wants and desires for the benefit of the institution. Noble idea; but how can we mate this concept with the reality of today's Air Force? Currently, we find ourselves not in self-sacrifi- ce High," but at the right target Third, we as individuals need to be able to distinguish between service and bologna. Bologna is putting up with unfair practices in the work section, or not there be can doubt no that we are more, in one of those "in between" funding pespeaking out when we know a course of riods. action is wrong or wasteful, or not doing There are some things that we as the best we can when assigned an unpleasan Air Force and as individuals can do to ant task. Service is knowing where we stand engender and refine our concept of service. First, we need to agree that putting as individuals, as an institution, and as a our country's welfare before self interest country and not backing off. Service is the right and proper thing to do. I don't is doing what is right even when it hurts. think there is much argument about that And finally, service is more an inNext, our recruiting efforts should ternal thing than an external one. Those be focused on those people who are in- who truly serve find strength in humility, clined to serve as opposed to those who understand that standing alone is somewant only a job or training or an oppor- times a part of the game, and are sure of tunity to attend college. We need to "Aim the ultimate correctness of their cause. combat, but certainly not at "peace." Here in the 388th Fighter Wing our operations tempo is very high, while personal and family stability is rather low. Further- Police report: written proof that crime doesn't pay J. Ernst NCOIC, Public Affairs ByTSgt. Darla EDITOR'S NOTE: The purpose of this col- ' umn is not to make light ofothers misfortune, but to show what is happening in military justice in the wing. And it may give a greater appreciation ofwhat the Security Police deal with on a daily basis. The first two weeks of May were full of routine calls, patrols, unannounced alarm activations and minor fender-bendefor the base Security Police. But the SPs were kept busy by responding to a host of calls also, many of them involving members of the 388th Fighter Wing and their fami- at the base hospital's emergency room for a contusion to her wrist, which she said she received during an assault by her husband. Local police were dispatched to residence where the husband was arrested their off-bafor assault and taken to the Davis County Jail. Another wife of an airman was treated for a sprained arm after a verbal altercation turned into a shoving match with her husband. The airman's first se rs not-so-rout- lies. From May through 15, 388th people were involved in two domestic disturbances, one incident involving drugs, one case of shoplifting, a fight at the Noncommisioned Officers Club and a host of other miscellaneous incidents. Starting with the drugs, the wife of an NCO was apprehended on three felony warrants after Security Police stopped her for a traffic violation. A check of her license revealed two warrants for Forgery of a prescription and one for issuing a bad check. A search of her vehicle uncovered numerous prescription drugs. She was turned over to the Davis County Sheriff s Department. Domestic abuse hit home for two military wives during this period. The wife of an airman was treated 1 Safe at Home Domestic Abuse can happen in what seem to be the happiest of homes it crosses all lines of race, sex and economic status. Utah's newly-forme- d Safe at Home program was started by Utah Attorney General Jan Graham and aims at stopping family violence through prevention, identification and treatment For more information on the program call ex-wi- If you're a victim of domestic abuse, man or woman, or if you are an abuser, help is available. Call sergeant was called in to handle the situation. In another act of violence, a night at the NCO Club turned into a midnight scuffle for a 388th airman. Both he and the other party involved were taken into custody by the Security Police. An NCO was given a free ride to the Security Police Desk after attempting to shoplift two pornographic magazines from the base exchange. The magazines totaled $ 1 1 .68. In another BX incident, the wife of a senior NCO was detained for allowing a civilian to use her Identification Card. Both women were transported to the Security Police Desk and read their rights. The of an NCO called the Security Police because he had not returned custody of their daughter. Security Police eventually made contact with him and the matter was handled through his first sergeant and commander. Another mom called Security Police because her daughter managed to get one ankle locked in a pair of handcuffs, without the key. The handcuffs had to be removed with bolt cutters. This was probably one of the few times Security Police responded to take handcuffs OFF someone. And the last entry in our blotter involves another child. An NCO called Security Police when his son was nowhere to be found. All patrols were put on the look out; five minutes later the child was found asleep in the closet! for referrals for counseling, shelter and other services. fe H edited, prepartd and provided by the 388th Fitfut r Win Public Affairs Office. Submit editorial copy to: 388 FWPA (Bid 120. Room 13) at least ona week before publication for that month't isjua. For mora Information, call tha public affair offica at 0 Fighter Country 1 j 777-320- Col. Bent ley Rayburn Commander, 388th Fighter Wing I at Lt. John J.Thomas Chief. Pubtc Affairs TSft. Dark J. Emit NCOIC,Nb6cAffairt SrA.j.C.WoodrinC StoffWrter AIC Almee Groben tditor Fighter Country is a supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by MorMedia, Inc., no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the OgdenALC Public Affairs Office. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of Fighter Country are not necessarily the official views of. or a private firm In endorsed by the U.iGcnmment. the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Unless otherwise indicate aR photos are U.i Air Fore, photos. AWth-rncont- aed herein consUun, endorsement by the of Defense, the U.S. A,r Force or HiOAFB Everything advertised is available without regard to race, color, rel.gwn. sex, or other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Dept |