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Show October 25, 2001 Positive attitude the key to dealing with change only be determined with some amount of uncertainty. Patriotism, love of country, pride in our flag and our resolve to preserve freedom rank highest in the category of things that by Col. Gerald Yearsley 4l9fri Logntics Group ccrrancer remain the same. cjr j;' a wmur Air force leader tiHk mc ur tuiure one word will stand out and sjiJ in id is "change." The advice thai all others. Hut ent with it was to not tear change hut embrace n looking for the positives and opportunities it can provide. Plan according, stav (legible and be prepared was how he ended our conversation As I look ba.k over the past 10 to I S sears, he couldn't have I started been more rij.-h-t by asking questions like. "Why plan if its just going to change anyway'' and "What is the point in being prepared it the change affects what I am doing." For me it was easier to worry, whine and complain about all the unknowns rather than face the change head-on- . I quickly realized the advice given me earlier contained all the necessary elements if I was looking for both peace of mind and success. Looking back now, few things remain the same f rom our organizations to the way we conduct our business. W'e have adopted and over used the phrase "flexibility is the key to air power " It is interesting to note the dynamics of change and our reactions to it. It is also interesting to me after all that has changed to see what is still the same and unaffected by the agent of change. I am one that is very comfortable with change when it is predicted, planned, implemented over time and doesn't violate my common sense. In other words, I see the Colonel Gerald L Yearsley S?erji Don't let world events by Capt. Nancy X. 419th Logistics Group Commander n. need and agree with it. Change, however, unpredicted like the recent world events reminds me more of the saying by Thomas Paine way back in 1771 "These arc the times that try men's souls" rather than the advice given me by that senior leader so many years ago. The words of Thomas Paine spoken such a long time ago were not only relevant in his day but continue to provide valuable insight for us today. He wrote "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a price upon its goods, and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." What changed, what stayed the same and what's next can you out s-t-r-e- -s-s There are numerous may be experiencing. emotional responses to stress or trauma. Some of the more common indicators are agitation, anger, Card 4 19th Medical Squadron recent weeks, we have watched corporate downsize, the stock market tumble consumer debt rise at an alarming rate. With these circumstances alone, it's no wonder our community is displaying symptoms of stress In and anxiety. In its simplest definition, stress is the combination of demands placed on a person's money, time, emotions, and energy and their body's response to those demands. Stress can also be viewed as our physical and emotional response to change. Stress affects us all - positively and negatively. We all accumulate stress every day, and we actually need stress to survive. Gcxxl stress gets us up and going each day. Our response to is to stress designed negative help us cope. Unfortunately, our bodies are unable to distinguish g(xd stress from bad stress. And since stress often accumulates, we must actively manage our lives to eliminate and control it. Military members can reduce the amount of stress in the lives simply by preparing themselves for traumatic incidents. Experiences with rescue and or recovery efforts, combat, deaths, suicide, severe injuries, shootings, and terrorist acts can all be considered traumatic incidents. Deployments also bring with them a multitude of stressors. Even minor daily stressors can accumulate and become a problem if they are not well managed. Exposure to these conditions can overwhelm our normal coping abilities. This makes it important to be aware of signs of stress. When we see symptoms of stress we know to increase our attention to stress management andor get additional help. These symptoms or physicals responses to stress include chest pain, headaches, fatigue, loss of energy and reduced sexual interest. Not all symptoms of stress are outwardly observable. For that reason, it is just as important for members to be familiar with the various ways in which stress changes our attitudes and line-of-du- ty perception. For example, someone under an excessive amount of stress might appear jumpy, on edge or Stress can also cause overly observant. individuals to become confused easily, or disoriented to time and place. If further evidence is needed, look no further than an individual's emotional response to daily situations to gage the amount of stress he or she anxiety, irritability, panic and paranoia. Stress management is something we all do. We often talk about what is going on in our lives by sharing thoughts and feelings in the course of normal conversations with others. Hopefully, we also provide our bodies with the physical care they need by eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and incorporating a sufficient amount of sleep and exercise into our daily routines. When dealing with trauma or high levels of stress, it is important to reduce incoming negative stress and actively reduce stress levels. We can do this by: Acknowledging stressful times in our lives Avoiding chemical stressors Communicating - listen & talk to others Keeping focused on the things you can change (versus the things you cannot) Staying in the game and not isolating ourselves Maintaining a normal routine Smiling, laughing, and expressing a positive '' attitude Additional help with coping and stress management is readily available! The Internet is full of articles and resources on stress management. Your local library or bookstore has many good reads on coping better. The 419th Fighter Wing and active-dut- y chaplains, or other religious leaders are a good resource to assist with personal worries. The Life Skills Support Center at Hill AFB has many resources available for family and military members. Of course our own, individual supervisors. First Sergeants, Command Chief, and host of commanders who comprise our senior leadership are available to assist anyone having difficulties. All communities have mental health centers that specialize in coping with stress, depression, anxiety, and other disorders. It is appropriate to contact one of these centers when stress negatively affects your job, family relations, or social life. If offered, after a critical incident. Critical Incident Stress Management personnel are trained to assist with stress responses. I encourage to take service of this when it is anyone advantage available. I am also available to discuss concerns about stress and coping techniques and can be contacted through the 419th Medical Squadron. Taliban: new term for Americans ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE,Ga.-Sin- ce the Sept. 11 attacks on America, the Taliban has become part of the nations vocabulary. The combination of religion, politics and some ideals lay the groundwork for very understanding those opposed to the United States. The Taliban (which means student) is the Islamic fundamentalist group that rules most of Afghanistan and is the host of Osama bin Laden. Since its rise to power in September 1996, only Saudi non-Weste- rn Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan have recognized the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan. The Taliban movement was started in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 1994 by a group of who students an extreme espouse interpretation of Islam. The Taliban captured the capital of Kabul from the mujahedeen regime in 1996, ousting the government of Burhan-u- l Din Rabani. The Taliban's founder and spiritual leader is Mullah Mohammad Omar, whose goal is to transform Afghanistan into a perfect Islamic state by enforcing a strictly fundamentalist way of life. As a result, movie theaters were closed, and television and music were banned. Men were also required to grow full beards and women were forbidden access to education, employment and healthcare. Afghanistan is slightly smaller than Texas and has a population of more than 26.5 million people from approximately 20 different ethnic groups. For members of our wing, our counterparts on active duty, and all that are involved in the business of defense these values have always been there and worn proudly on our shirt sleeve so to speak. This has been true even in periods when it may not have been popular to be a member of the military or associated w ith this line of work. It is so refreshing to see all who call themselves Americans openly display their rebirth of awareness in these fundamental values. What has changed and how that will affect what's next is yet to be determined. What remains the same is the advice given to me by that senior leader to plan, stay flexible and be prepared for any direction we go. In all probability we will proceed in the direction we have carefully planned out for both our short and long term courses of action. Staying vigilant, flexible and prepared is the guidance from our wing commander and being patient is the direction from our commander and chief. Treat change like electricity something to respect not fear. For some who read this article the words of Thomas Carlyle may apply "The block of granite, which was an obstacle in the path of the weak, becomes a stepping stone in the path of the strong." For others, ready now, your challenge is to maintain that razor sharp edge. The bottom line is that freedom has never been free and if its time to again pay a price, we are prepared to do that. Chief's Corner by Chief Master Sgt Marva Harper 419th FW Command Chief Master Sergeant Rumor Control It This is much like the comment that you have to have a degree to get a promotion on PEP. That is also untrue. Yes, if all things are equal it may be a tie breaker, but it is not a requirement. We have promoted many who did not have a degree. PEP is designed to promote those who do an outstanding job for the Air Force Reserve and the competition is high. Every squadron submits their best candidates so if you get a coveted PEP promotion you are "one of the best." If you do not get it that doesn't mean that you should give up trying. It is in fact a good sign of how great the people in this wing are that we have so many people considered to be the best. It is much the same with Outstanding Airmen of the Year. If you are selected as your squadron nominee, group nominee or even wing nominee you should be proud. There are ,400 people in the wing and being selected to represent them at any level is an accomplishment in and of its self. Unfortunately, there are many outstanding performers and they cannot all be recognized at the same time and at the same level. is time once again to dispel some rumors going around the wing. The prevalent one right now is that you only get a Promotion Enhancement Program promotion once in your career. This is untrue. Members are eligible for a PEP promotion to one grade over the grade of the slot they are assigned to. For instance, if you are in a technical sergeant slot you can be PEP'cd to master sergeant. If you are in a master sergeant slot you can be PEP'ed to senior master sergeant and so on. Let's say you are currently in a staff sergeant slot doing outstanding work and get a PEP promotion to technical sergeant. Later in your career you move into a technical sergeant position; you are then eligible, if you have filled all the requirements for consideration, to be PEP'ed to master sergeant. If you are moved to a master sergeant position you are then eligible for PEP to senior master sergeant. And of course, if you get a senior master sergeant slot later you can be considered for chief master sergeant. There is no limit on the number of times you can be PEP'ed. 1 You belong to the "BEST" We have all said over time how great the people in this wing are and that is true of both our civilian and military workforce. It was really brought to light with the recent events of the past month. As soon as the World Trade Center and Pentagon were hit I began receiving calls. Many of the people were offering to help wherever and whenever they could. New members of the unit called to make sure we knew where they were in case there was a call up. A few people who were out of town even offered to come back if we needed them. Most everyone has been supportive of the wing and the Air Force needs. Not once did someone tell me that their personal needs were more important than the obligation they signed up forto protect and defend the United States of America. We tend to get caught up in our own world but when the chips are down the people of the 419th Fighter Wing are ready and willing to do their job without hesitation. That is why we are proud to be in this is great wing-gr- eat people! day-to-d- IN MEMORIAE): Master Sgt. Frederick William Hitt The 419th Fighter Wing lost a member of its family when Master Sgt. Fred Hitt passed away in his home October 4. Funeral services were held at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary on Tuesday, October '.:.- , 9. , : He worked at Hill Air Force Base as a civil servant for more than 20 years and was honored recently for 30 years of service for his time in active duty and as a reservist. Sergeant Hitt retired from the 419th Maintenance Squadron earlier this summer where he served as an engine management scheduler. Those who knew Sergeant Hitt said he always understood what it meant to be part ' of a team. , "Fred routinely volunteered for deployments during his time in the unit, said Senior Master Sgt. Dean Fischer, a supervisor in the propulsion flight. "He was such a professional. I'll always remember him for how meticulous he was in his work and for his tireless efforts to discover ways to make us more efficient." An avid outdoorsman, Sergeant Hitt had a passion for golf and had become a "complete" player according to his peers.. He was part of a foursome whose team won the Hill Air Force Base Commander's Cup several years ago. "Fred was a long ball hitter, and a dead-ey- e putter," said Master SgL Merrell He dropped everything in sight." Turley, 419th Armament Systems Flight, Surviving family members include his former wife, son, four brothers, and a sister. ; H Sergeant Hitt will be missed. : ' .. Air Force Reserve Command To ay Mission Statement provide Citizen Airmen to defend the United States and protect its interests through aerospace power. 419th Fighter Wing Mission Statement To Fly, HeadsUp Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 419th Fighter Wing public Affairs Office. DEADLINE for submission of articles is 10 working days before each scheduled wing unit training assembly. Articles should be typed and double-space- d on a line. HeadsUp is a Reserve supplement to the Hilltop times, published by Mor Media, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U S Air force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office, this civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for Air Force Reserve members of the U.S. military services. Contents of HeadsUp are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed bv the U S of Air or the Defense the Force. government, Department .. Fight and Winl 419th FW STAFF Brig. Gen. F.C. Williams Capt. James R. Wilson Senior Airman Lara Gale Stephanie Johns Commander Chief of Public Affairs Staff Writer Editor Ipooi |