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Show February 12. 2004 Leadership is job one STEP up A By Maj. John Cartwright 388th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander 'it With the upcoming uncertainties that are facing us at home and abroad, it is important that we remember all the leadership skills we have learned over the years. People under our supervision over the upcoming months will the noncomlook up to us missioned officer and officer to make decisions, procorps vide guidance, calm nerves or just plain lead. It is our charge not to let them down. If we fail them, then we have done what the enemy is trying to do to us: decrease our effectiveness and combat capability. You may ask, "what does this have to do with me if I am not an NCO or officer?" Well it has a lot to do with you. In every organization you have leaders who are there because of their position, and you also have informal leaders from within. You may just be that person. Even an airman basic in a time of crisis can lead men and women twice their age to success or safety. You need to recognize your skills as a leader and be ready to act upon them when the time is right. You never know when you may be called upon to become such a person. There are many ways people can lead others, but in my experience, there are a few methods and practices that stand out to make one a successful leader during a time of crises or conflict. The first rule is to maintain absolute integrity. Most leaders say integrity is absolute and the basis for all that we do and say. If you do not maintain your integrity, you will not be trusted, and once lost trust is almost rlw UtWiln'if.iiifi ftiT m IX nrtVtiT. iiiSf i i The first priority Is that the leader must get out to where the action is where those who are doing the actual work are making things happen. They cannot lead from behind a desk, in an 0 o office. Maj. John Cartwright 368th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander impossible to regain. My next leadership philosophy, is to know your stuff. No one can know everything, but the more you know about what you are responsible for, the better. As a leader you also need to show uncommon commitment. Your troops will not follow if they think your commitment is temporary or that you may quit the goal short of attainment. And as a leader you need to set the standard high and let your troops come up to the bar. It has been my experience that when you set the standard high, 99 percent of the troops will attempt to meet or exceed your objectives; however, when set low, all you get is low results. You will set the benchmark for your element, flight, squadron or so set them high and wing watch your people soar. The Air Force over the last several years has stressed my next principle of leadership and that is service before self. This part has two main components: the mission and the people. Sometimes the mission comes first and sometimes the people do. However, with a real leader, one thing never comes first personal interests and well being. Finally, the last leadership principle that I feel you need to show as an officer, NCO, or airman, is to get out in front. There is a time and a place for a leader to sit back in his chair, relax, and think about the day's events, unfortunately, many leaders have their priorities wrong. They sit first and ask questions after they have read it in an The first priority is that the leader must get out to where the action is where those who are doing the actual work are making things happen. They cannot lead from behind a desk, in an office. The upcoming months will find leadership traits in all of us. Take these principles to heart no mater how many people you are responsible for, whether it is 7,000 or two. Good sound leadership will see you through, and into the next chapter in your life. 0 (Photo by Senior Airman Nakita Carlisle) . New Master Sgt. Brett Kolasch, 729th Air Control Squadron element chief of ground radio operations, Is joined by his wife, Christie, and his son, Nicholas, as he receives his promotion under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP) program at Friday's annual awards ceremony In Hangar 37. Col. Charlie Lyon, 388th Fighter Wing commander, and Chief Master Sergeant Paul Weseloh, 388th FW command chief, tack on the new stripes. IDEA brings employee $10,000 to flyable condition, submitted his idea pertaining to a procedure previously accommissile fin door actuaplished on an 's tor. It saves $2,009 for each F-- 4 being regenerated at AMARC. These actions save labor and material costs associated with the e repair of actuator assemblies identified for removal during later modifications. Mr. Herman's idea saved AMARC and the Air Force $72,324 in its first year, said Joe Beakey, AMARC aircraft mechanic supervisor. (Courtesy of AFPN) By 2nd Lt. Beth Tucker Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center Public Affairs F-4- AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. A suggestion that saves labor and material costs on F-- 4 Phantom actuator . assembly repairs here earned an aircraft pneudraulic systems mechanic $10,000, courtesy of the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program. Steven Herman, who works in. the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center's regeneration branch restoring F-DAVIS-MONTHA- N one-tim- Dynamic duo: Father and son soar as rare pair of Senior Airman Madelyn Waychoff 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs By Lt. Col. Peter Davidson can truly say he's got his son under his wings. The 388th Fighter Wing Operations Support Squadron commander and his son, 1st Lt. Paul Davidson, are a rare Air Force tandem: they are both active duty F-fighter pilots. Colonel Davidson proudly watched his son graduate from pilot training Jan. 30 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. His son has now joined him as an 6 fighter pilot and is stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. This is an unusual circumstance, because now both father and son are actively flying the Colonel Davidson commissioned in 1985 after going through the University of Arizona ROTC program, and then completed his pilot training in 1987. But before he went to college he was accepted into a local plumbing union apprenticeship program and spent a couple years learning commercial plumbing. When he was on a job Air Force Base, at Ariz., he watched the pilots fly 0-2-s, F-1- F-1-6. Davis-Month- and s. careful because Paul can spot the over arms makes it a unique experience. "It didn't take me long to realize inflation." I'm sure we drive (my wife) crazy that I could probably attain the same Lieutenant Davidson said he feels when we get together and talk with honored as well. "It's awesome to be our hands - 'there I was at the bandit's goal if I put my mind to it," he said. able to listen and relate to my dad's 'Talk about a life changing event -deep six...' Old fighter pilots love to fulltime student status while supporttell stories and relate their heroic stories now. It's also nice to be able to learn from his experiences, and the deeds. Now I have to be a little more ing a wife and two children. I hope this is encourag other experi to someone enced pilots so I ing who is on the know what I have to look foredge of making a decision to folward to." low their dreams; He was it can be done." accepted at the A number of Air Force father and son Academy, and combinations when he graduathave flown the ed he decided to but the become an 6 field narrows pilot like his dad. when both are on "I decided to active duty and fly the 6 because it has the currently flying at the same most exciting time, said mission, not Colonel because I felt Davidson. pressured by my "I feel very dad," he said. "I (Courtesy Photo) blessed; the fact always felt supLt Col. Peter Davidson, 388th Operations Support Group commander, and his son, 1st that Paul and I and my ported, Lt. Paul Davidson, celebrate LL Davidson's graduation from pilot training Jan. 30 at share the same parents have Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Father and son make up a rare Air Force tandem of active profession in always let us duty 6 fighter pilots. OA-3- 7s j37 F-1-6, F-1- F-1- F-1- F-1-6 pilots decide what we want to do with our lives. It seemed to me, while I was in pilot training and from talking to dad, that every mission with the 6 is a little different, that you never get bored. It's essentially a jack of all trades." Colonel Davidson says he's proud his son is a pilot, but he would've been proud no matter what he'd done. "I know that Paul, just like his brothers and sisters, is not satisfied being the status quo. I've seen in their lives that they want to do something that will make an impact on the people around them. "But, I have to confess that when Paul started high school I used the line, 'Hey son, did you ever think about joining the Air Force?'" Colonel Davidson said although he encouraged his son to join the Air Force, Lieutenant Davidson made his own decisions and went his own way to achieve his goals. Colonel Davison cherishes his special relationship with his son. "There is an overwhelming satisfaction in having the opportunity to literally raise up the next generation that will carry this blessed nation to new heights," he said. F-1- Published for People Like... (Civilian) Wes Ehlers Unit: 388th Range Squadron Job: Range control specialist Editorial Starr Colonel Charlie Lyon 2nd Lt. Vernon Thompson Senior Airman Madelyn Waychoff Time In Service: 12 years Most recent accomplishment: Helped renovate a new office space for the range control specialists Goals: To put in a few more years and then retire, and possibly go into buisness with my sons and grandchildren could change one thing at Hill AFB what would it be: wish that a more opportune time would be chosen to close gates for training, instead of around lunch time If I I 1 t Commander Deputy Chief, Public Affairs Editor n The fteterr Comntn n a supptcuicnl the miltop Times, poHvshed by MorMedia. 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