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Show B Fighter February 09, 2006 Country "How do you want to be remembered?" By Chief Master Sgt Frank Levand 388th Operations Group superintendent These are historic times for the 388th Operations Group, the entire 388th Fighter Wing and all those contributing to the war effort. Since the September 11, 2001, attack on our nation, our wing has continuously been an active and lethal participant in the Global War on Terrorism. The Airmen in the 388th OG, to include the 4th Fighter Squadron, 34th FS, 421st FS, 729th Air Control Squadron, 388th Operational Support Squadron and Wing Staff - have gallantly deployed numerous times to combat zones in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. To all of them I ask, "How do you want to be remembered for what you did during these historic times?" What "mark" do you want indelibly placed forever in time identifying, recording, remembering your individual role, team role, actions and accomplishments when your nation called and needed you most? I'm proud to say the vast majority of our group's Airmen will be able to boast honorably and read in future 388th FW history books exactly what they did during their time deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. This of course did not come without hard work and preparation for tasks they were asked to perform. These amazing Airmen will be remembered also for sweating in chemical gear during quarterly Operational Readiness Exercises, learning self aid and buddy care so they were prepared to save one another, qualifying on the rifle range to be lethal if called upon, preparing mentally, physically and emo- - tionally for the challenges they faced. During the 2005 Operational Readiness Inspection, they proved to all of Air Combat Command that they are ready. These courageous American patriots will be forever applauded for taking the fight to the terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. They are showing terrorists in no uncertain terms our will is unbreakable and our resolve everlasting. time, Every individual in this group knows exactly how well or not so well they performed their duties during one of the most difficult and important times in the history of the United is States. I'm purposely attempting to impress upon all who read this, that you get few chances in life to record what you did Chief Master Sgt. Frank Levand when it truly counted the most. 388th OG superintendant Even for those who have not per formed or behaved as well as they could or should have, now is the time to turn that around and prove your metwill impact you, your team and the mission, thus forever tle. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but these flaws changing your "mark" in history. I challenge each of you to make that mark something you can be overcome with a good attitude and by working togethwill want to honorably tell your grandkids about. Make it er to strengthen your skills to execute the mission. A genuine effort and attitude at do your best is all that can your indelible signature for all time, with your actions from be asked and expected. What you do from this point forward today forward telling the world this is your finest hour! P Make it your indelible signature for all with your actions from today forward telling the world this your finest hour! a Commentary: "Leadership: It's all about character" By Maj. Victor Mora 388th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander "Leadership is really the unconscious expression of the character and personality of the leader." Edgar F. Puryear, Jr. "It's easy to be loyal when things are going your way, but when the decision goes against you, that 's the true test of character. " Recently I revisited a book I read a few years ago by Edgar F. Puryear Jr., called American Generalship Character is Everything: The Art of Command. Unlike many leadership books from corporate America, ft .American Generalship spoke to me i in a language that I understood, with principles that I could easily relate to. Since then, it has become a touchstone for me that I go back periodically for vector checks, and after assuming command last summer, it was time again to pull it off the shelf for a quick review. Five months have passed and when asked to write a commentary, I thought what better topic than one I had been reflecting on for the past few months character. pro-sup- er ( v pro-sup- Maj. Victor Mora 388th MOS commander yourself "Good character... is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece-b- y thought, choice, courage and determination." John Luther If your answer to the question above was yes or has left room for improvement, it's important to know that your character is not static. Good character is not something you're born with, nor is it a label that once given "Of all the properties which belong stays with you forever. We are in a constant to honorable men, not one is so highly state of learning and growth. I'm a far different person today than I was 15 years ago as a prized as that of character." second lieutenant. Henry Clay Each commander, Chief, senior noncomObviously Henry Clay lived before our missioned officer in charge, NCO and time of specific statements, so the quote applies equally to men and women Airman that I worked for or with has taught me a thing or two about character. alike. What is interesting about his observation is that it is such an obvious statement and Loyalty I'm embarrassed to admit that I really yet I'm sure that many, if not all of us, can recall a person from our military past who learned the true meaning of loyalty only withwas of questionable character, someone who in the last few years. Sure we talked about it seemed more preoccupied with his or her at Officer Training School and Squadron own advancement than in nurturing and Officer School, but I don't think I really developing his or her subordinates. It is, howgained an appreciation for loyalty until I was truth. a a captain and started looking up and thinking ever, simple Above all else, what we look for in our about what was best for the squadron and not leaders is character. necessarily for my aircraft maintenance unit or flight. It really hit home when I became the And, unlike reputation (which is what others think of us and which we can, to some squadron maintenance supervisor, and for the extent, manipulate), character defines who first time I had a group of younger officers we are. The twist is that we are all leaders, working for me. Suddenly I had become a whether it is formal or informal, and if we "they." So where does your loyalty lie? It's expect our leaders to be men and women of easy to be loyal when things are going your character, wouldn't it be hypocritical of us way, but when the decision goes against you, not to look inward and ask ourselves "Am I that's the true test of character. How well do of person of character?" you subordinate your position or desires to non-gend- get the job done? I'm not winter night when the snow was falling and talking about being a "yes the temperature was dropping below zero, I decided to call the day short (or knock it off), man or woman." Your loyalty should be so I told my to clean up the line and all about getting the task bring everybody in. Within a few minutes, the or mission done in the light carts were turned off and folks started most effective and efficoming in. cient manner you know However, toward the end of one row a sinhow. If you don't agree gle light cart was still on. After observing this with the boss, then you for a while, I asked my to find out must voice your objecwhat the deal was. We hopped into the truck and underneath the jet was Senior Airman tions. In the end, however, if Burgess still, working. I hopped out of the it's not your decision to truck to tell him to knock it off, that it was too make, how youxsoaduct cold and w eould fly the schedule, without er s green before he called it a night. He said he only needed "a few more minutes" and then he would wrap things up. Well, it turned out Selflessness Selflessness talks to our core value of to be a typical aircraft maintenance "few Service Before Self. Unlike loyalty, I've more minutes," but I couldn't bring myself to shut him down. So we waited, checking on always had an appreciation for selflessness. him I father who a periodically to make sure he was all Fortunately grew up watching was constantly giving. He was the guy who right. Eventually he finished and we went would buy the first round of drinks, and if home for the night. But to this day I rememnobody stepped up to take the next round, ber the look on his face as he asked me for a he'd buy the second and third as well. And "few more minutes" so he could complete his that generosity spread to everything he did. I work. In the Air Force we hear a lot about mission first, and on that night, Airman never realized his impact on friends and relatives until he passed away a few years ago Burgess was all about getting the mission and the chapel was overflowing with people, done, but it's not always easy. We seem to many of whom had a story to tell about how have built in excuses of not enough money, not enough manpower, too many my father had helped them in some way. How much do you give of yourself to or not enough time. The true test of character make your section, flight or squadron better? is what you do in spite of obstacles. It's easy How much do you give of yourself mentoring to say no. It's much harder to say yes and then and nurturing those Airmen placed under commit to finding a way to get things done. your responsibility? Leadership isn't a right Again, I'm not saying be a yes man or woman. If it "no kidding" can't be done, you that comes with rank or position; it's a privilege and an obligation that carries a huge owe it to the boss to let him'or her know, but responsibility to put those you lead first. a person of character never looks for the easy Being a leader of character is all about giving way out. I've only written about three attributes of of yourself to improve your organization and character. There are so many more that one the Airmen within it without regard or concern for your next promotion. Paul "Bear" could easily fill a book, but I only have one Bryant once said, "Show class, have pride small section to get my thoughts across. . and display character. If you do, winning (in My hope is that I have sparked an interest that you will continue to explore as you our case, promotion) takes care of itself." develop as a leader in our Air Force. I would like to leave you with this closing thought: Determination I learned a valuable lesson about determi"Character, in the long run, is the nation as a lieutenant at Langley Air Force decisive factor in the life, of an Base. As the junior maintenance officer in the individual and of nations alike." fighter squadron, I worked swing shift. One Theodore Roosevelt FighteiCountry Editorial Staff Col. Robert Beletic . Capt. Rob Goza Airman 1st Class Stefanie Torres.... speaks-vorame- er Commander Chief, Public Affairs .......Editor about your character. three-leve- The Fighter Country is a supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office. This civilian 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 endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Advertisements contained herein do not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force or Hill AFB. ls Everything advertised is available without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. The Fighter Country is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, 5887 DAve., Suite 113, Hill AFB UT, 84056-501- 7. Story submissions for the Fighter Country can be brought by the office, to the editor at fighter.country. hill. af.mil or faxed to 777-292- 3. Deadline for submissions to Fighter Country is no later than Monday, noon, two weeks prior to publication. For more information, call the public affairs office at 777-320- 0. |
