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Show Varcn 2. 2:31 Chaplain keeps faith through career challenges by Staff Sgt Jifji Verchlo Operation Northern Watch Pubic Affairs LVCIKLIKAIR BASE,Turkey (ACCNS) He never knew 20 years ago he'd be where he is today. Initially, he wanted to just serve his country in the United States Air Force-Nolater, he's not only his serving country, but he's also servthe ing (CapL) Rick Harvey, Combined Task Force's chaplain, deployed here from Hill AFB, enlisted in the Air Force as an administrative specialist with the idea of separating after four years. After being called into the office of two senior N'COs, the then-SeniAirman was to Harvey persuaded give the Air Force a double take. "I've got to tell you that I was a little intimidated going in to talk to those guys," said Harvey. "They were both seasoned veterans, and I was just an airman. But looking back on it now, I'm really glad I took their advice." NCOs talked ChapThe brown-sho- e lain Harvey into another enlistment He accepted, and in just a few short days came an assignment to Izmir Air Base, Turkey. Upon his arrival to Turkey, Harvey decided to follow his love for languages, and he commissioned the aid of a Turkish tutor. At a time when Libya felt its need to flex its muscles, personnel at Izmir were being deployed and moved around at a very high rate. Noticing that his Turkish language skills were quite proficient, his commander at the time assigned Harvey out of his normal job in administration and onto the Turkish telephone switchboard. "My Turkish became really good," said two-decad- es Lord-Chapla- in or the chaplain, "every day I talked Turkish on the phone and with my It became so good that I was able to attend a Turkish university to learn French being taught in Turkish." When his commitment in Turkey rs. V' ( ... . concluded, the Georgian packed his bags and headed to Falcon Air Force Station, an assignment that would inevitably change the course of his life Colo., forever. "I was working for a three-sta-r general at the time, and I was attending Bible study in my off time. The chaplain who class said to me taught the Bible-stud- y that I had a gift. He said I should pursue becoming an Air Force chaplain," Harvey explained. Soon after, Harvey's boss just happened to ask in passing, "So Rick, what do you do in your off time?" Harvey expressed to his boss that he was attending school in the mornings before work, and that he aspired to become a chaplain. Harvey just thought it was polite conversation when the general said, "I can help you make that happen." The next day, the then-Staf- f Sgt. Harvey was really surprised after finding out his boss had called Washington to discover what it would take for one of his troops to become a chaplain. The general then handed a detailed outline for an outline the sergeant Harvey to follow would follow to the tee. "When I first saw what was going to be required of me, I thought I would never be able to do it," Harvey said. "It takes a masters degree to become a chaplain,' and I know now that it was my faith that kept me on track." Through determination, Harvey completed what was required of him to reach his dream, even though the Lord saw fit . 1: - , : t ' yl f' "SiC " v . v. ,. " 7 ; t " - . ' f " o . ' ' t jV : . f - . , r ' V ' , - ft if .. .,. " ; ir a- v . V-- -' K - f -- - ; - i ;.. ,," - - ' - - - : Chaplain (Cap!) Rick Harvey to challenge him around every corner. In 1998, 18 years after joining the Air Force, Harvey accepted his calling and was licensed as a minister by the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., which, according to the chaplain, is the largest Black organization in the world. Harvey talked about what it means to him to be a chaplain in today's Air Force and a chaplain serving at Operation North- ern Watch. "I love the Lord and his greatest creation... people. To be able to serve the Lord and my country at the same time is very rewarding," he said. "To serve God in this type of environment; an environment that can be chaotic and sometimes tumultuous makes it very challenging, but at the same time very satisfying. Deployed ministry makes you draw on your faith, and that's when you realize how good of a relationship you have with the Lord. It makes you really reach down, but God gives you hope for a brighter day and hope for peace." When Harvey prepares to head back home, hell be able to find solace in the fact that he made a difference to the mission and to the people. "When I get on that plane, just knowing that I was able to help the Lord spread his word will be very gratifying," Harvey said. "God's word of love can cross an ocean, peak any mountain and grace any valley, and it's great to know that I play a part in that every day." Arnold knew what makes leaders successful by Col. David Proochick Staff Judge Advocate Articulateness: A comparatively HANSCOM AFB, Mass.(AFMCNS) Generally the most important requisites to be a successful military leader are: . Basic knowledge: Exact, clear knowledge - not a hazy smattering. Knowing the basics of your profession; of every assignment you are given - this is your "technique," this constitutes your "tools." Hard work: Unrelenting, hard work. Some people have a natural capacity for it; others have to develop it No outstanding success is ever achieved without it Vision: Look beyond your immediate assignment, and be mindful of your relation to the next higher echelon of command, and the next, and the next, and so on, to the highest level or overall sphere of activity you can envision its being a part. Envision possibilities yet undeveloped: new horizons of activity. This is the kind of vision that begets enthusiasm; and enthusiasm is the eager, driving force that converts dreams into realities. Judgment: Not only the judgment that makes quick, correct decisions, but the ability to judge human nature as well. , overlooked factor, but nevertheless, a most important one. Many an excellent idea is "stillborn" because its originator did not have the ability "to put it across." Public speaking courses are excellent aids to acquiring this skill. Properly adjusted human relationships: Firm- ness, plus tolerance, a sympathetic understanding , of your people and their problems, as well as an under- standing of one's relation to the person at the top. Best of all, of course, is practically applying the Golden Rule the simplest and the best code of ethics as Hilltop Times Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are Is inspiration paramount? Gen. George Patton said inspiration was quite impor- tant: 'Success in war lurks invisible in that vitalizing the spark, intangible, yet as evident as lightning warrior's soul. It is the cold glitter in the attacker's eye, not the point of the questing bayonet that breaks the line. 'It's the driver's fierce determination to close with the enemy, not the mechanical perfection of the tank Personal integrity: Maintaining the courage of that conquers the trench. It's the cataclysmic ecstasy one's convictions. By no means should this be con- of conflict in the flier, not the perfection of the machine fused with stubborn thinking. Its exact opposite, gun, which drops the enemy in flaming ruins. Yet volresilient thinking is a must: you must be able to umes are devoted to armaments; pages to inspiration. accommodate thinking quickly and accurately in this So the essential formula you should have as a founrapidly changing world. Personal integrity also means moral integrity. The leader who is genuinely respected dation is: basic knowledge, hard work, vision, judgis the leader who keeps his moral integrity sound ment, articulateness, properly adjusted human and is trustworthy in every respect. relationships, personal integrity as well as inspiraThese are some important components of a great tion. Use this as a starting point, a recipe for sucleader. Don't take it from me. These thoughts are cess. Adjust to suit your soul. yet devised. "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force Quality Systems for America 's Air Force distilled from a detailed letter written by Gen. "Hap" Arnold Nov. 5, 1946 to a Lt. Col. Stefan. Even though the two never met, General Arnold wrote a thoughtful response to Colonel Stefan's inquiries. Perhaps the best measure of leadership is doing what General Arnold did taking the time and energy to help inspire others. not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc., of the products or services advertised. 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