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Show •) "• . #HiIltop Times August 26, 2004 Commentary AF decorations: right for some, reward for others I think we have to look at what the awards and decorations program is really about and what standards we expect our commanders, Command Chief Master Sergeant supervisors and troops to use when meaTINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFM- suring success. CNS) - When one talks about military awards The U.S. Air Force Awards and Decorations Program, AFI 36-2803, instructs us to and decorations, the subject evokes a multitude of emotional responses from mil- "Restrict recommendations to recognizing meritorious service, outstanding achieveitary people. Well, I'm no different. I feel a real sense of satisfaction when I'm ment or acts of heroism that clearly place able to get one of my troops recognized by the individual above his or her peers." It our Air Force with an appropriate medal for continues, "Superior duty performance, a job well done as they depart for a perma- attainment of rfonors based solely on academic achievement, or receipt of other forms nent change of station, separate or retire. of recognition do not in themselves justify At the other end of the spectrum, I get cona recommendation for a military decoracerned, no, make that confused, when I see tion." a nomination package for an award come Additionally, it says, "no individual is autoacross my desk where it's clear the nomimatically entitled to an award upon comnee hasn't met the Air Force's standards pletion of an operational TDY or departure the same standards we expect of all our Airfor an assignment." men. What about the Air Force standards and When I hear things like "Hey, I'm a masthe overall "Whole Person Concept" and ter sergeant getting ready to retire at 22, how they fit into the awards and decoration where's my Meritorious Service Medal?" or "I did my job for four years, I'm not plan- program? Would you knowingly nominate one of your noncommissioned officers for ning on PCSing, where's my extended tour an end-of-tour decoration who had not medal?" It's almost as if our awards and decoration met Air Force standards and expectations? Take out your copy of AFI 36-2618, "The program has become one of an expectation, or even a right. How did we get to this point? Enlisted Force Structure," and read the bold printing near the top of Page 1. "COMWhere do we go from here? by Chief Master Sgt. T. D. Osslnger Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center PLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS lesser decoration? MANDATORY." I'll put this in perspective: A chief masNow, turn to Chapter 4 ... read on. Among ter sergeant, retiring after 30 years, has many other things, the Air Force directs that earned and will likely receive an MSM to NCOs "Must secure and promote profesrecognize his 30 years of service to the Air sional military education for themselves and Force. Now I ask you again, should that 22subordinates to develop and cultivate year NGO get a MSM? leadership skills and professional developLet me turn my focus towards the extended ment." tour medal. There are some troops who It goes on to further direct NCOs to "actively decide to "homestead" at one location. participate and encourage others to parThe current expectation appears to me as ticipate in programs offered through edufollows: if one stays put and does a good job, cation services, with special emphasis on every three or four years you get a medal. career development courses and the ComOur current culture - where a majority of munity College of the Air Force programs." folks believe there is an expectation or even I won't reiterate the entire chapter, but you a right to receive an award just because we have done our job- needs changing. I was see where I'm going. ... support installation and unit activities, membership in enlistedbrought up in the system when if you just did your job, you were rewarded every two clubs, professional and unit organizations. weeks ... with your paycheck. The list goes on. Leaders need to look closer at how we deterLet's look back at our NCO getting ready to retire after serving 22 years in the Air mine who earns what particular form of Force. He was a great worker who perrecognition. formed above and beyond that of his peers. Is your troop a superior performer, headand-shoulders above his or her peers? Does Did I mention he had (either by design or circumstance) completed neither a Com- your troop meet or exceed the Air Force munity College of the Air Force degree nor standards and expectations (the whole perthe Senior NCO Academy? Has this NCO son concept) for his grade and peer group? met the Air Force's expectations? Should If the answer is yes then proceed ... you he get that MSM with his record of great are on your way to making the earning of a duty performance? Should we consider a decoration really mean something. Modern day patriots are reason our nation is still free additional compensation, many missed important family eventsat the military personnel flight, on gate guard duty or roaming (our children taking their first steps, their first birthdays or the missile field, turning wrenches on the jets, deep under5th Maintenance Group commander Christmases, anniversaries) and long separations that put us ground in a missile silo, putting the throttles to the firewall on takeoff, ensuring the government funds are wisely spent, or MINOTAFB, N.D. (AFPN) - We often read in our history serving up chow at midnight - you are a patriot in every sense books about patriots. What often comes to mind is someone like of the word. Mel Gibson dressed in early day garb as he was in the movie, "The Patriot." We may even think of Soldiers in rags in the snow What are our attributes? We beat ourselves up unmerciat Valley Forge facing an overwhelming force of British regufully when things don't turn out as planned, but we fail to lars. credit ourselves when our work turns out spectacularly.' Openly, we feel embarrassed when we are decorated for What about modern day patriots? Are there such people who service above and beyond, but deep down, we feel proud risk their lives daily to protect our way of life, our nation that that we did a job well done. our forefathers passed down to us? We willingly place ourselves in harm's way to keep our famiIf you are in the military, I ask you to go look in the mirror. If lies safe, for we know that if we don't, an aggressor or a band you are married, then take your spouse with you. You are now of thugs will soon be putting us all in jeopardy. looking at a true patriot who is willing to put his or her life on the line, suffer whatever hardships come his or her way and Our spouses and family understand this, and they are the cheerfully set about to do his or her tasks. Look outside at your unsung heroes of this clan we call the profession of arms. military friends and neighbors: more patriots. They are the ones who deal with broken down cars in the middle of the winter, and who care for our children who Not one of us decided to enter the military to get rich. There keep them up all night because they are sick or are missis absolutely no way anyone of us can seek out fortune with a ing us while we are deployed to some desolate location military career. But our nation and our citizens can count on us where someone is taking potshots at us. They are the ones to be there to prevent aggressors from taking a>£ay flufc way of who dread the midnight visits by the commanders because life, our liberties, our government or our land. Sp-^^* something has happened to one of our aircraft or one of us. For 228 years, men and women like us have stooauj) atifctj^ken Patriots, you are the reason this nation is still free. You are the oaths to protect and defend the Constitution and our nation reason our citizens can travel the world knowing the United against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Many have given up States is the sole superpower of the world. We are surrounded their lives in defense of our nation. Many more have been by patriots; look in the mirror, look at your neighbor and if you wounded, maimed or severely injured. Our nation's forces are now entirely made in harm's way, we continue to sign on the dotted line for another are married, especially look at your spouse. up of volunteers just like you. Throughout the hardships of tour to continue on in our nation's defense. God bless the patriots of the United States of America - God frequent moves, high operations tempo, long hours without It doesn't matter where you work - whether it's pushing papers bless you! by Col. Gary Lane Hill Street views 'What do you think about speeding on base?' Staff Sgt. Annalyn T. Temple Senior Airman Clayton A. Harper Airman Yolanda L. Pistolis NCOIC of Retirement and Separations 75th Mission Support Squadron Medical technician 75th Mission Support Squadron Airman Jeffrey A. Zinger Customer service 75th Mission Support Squadron Information management apprentice 75th Mission Support Squadron "Speed limits are there for a reason. Just do it." "Even though you're pounding on your brakes, you're still speeding!" "If you're going to do It, don't get caught." <( Bonnie Andersen Renae Atwood Reports and analysis clerk 75th Security Forces Squadron Step clerk 75th Security Forces Squadron "I think it should be "Well, speeding on base stopped. We should do. already happens, especially whatever It takes to accomwith civilians. I see it every plish that and to reduce the day. As for the military, I number of tickets issued." see It once In a while, but we know the rules and consequences." "Don't speed, because you'll get a ticket and you're overworking our office!" The U.S. Air Force — meeting the challenge through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power/' Quality Systems for America's Air Force Hilltop Times Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., 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 service!. 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