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Show COMMENTARY TIMES May 4, 2006 Caring mentors will help Air Force prosper "Ifyou want one year of prosperity, grow grain. any organization. What is mentoring? A mentor is a person If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow, people." of greater knowledge or wisdom who shares his or her experience to help develop abilities — Ancient Chinese Proverb of those junior to them, also called proteges. BY COL PENNY BAILEY Mentoring helps prepare officers, enlisted, 84th Combat Sustaingment Wing deputy director and civilians for increased responsibilities by encouraging job competency, military educaMentorship is a buzzword these days. Some tion, professional development, higher educaconsider it a form of counseling, communicattion, and serving the needs of the Air Force ing, or learning by example from someone and our nation. Mentoring encourages people (usually senior to you), while others call it by promoting communication, and personal leadership. Whatever you want to call it, it is and professional development. something that can certainly be beneficial to Why Mentor? Mentoring should take place because everyone gains when there is a healthy exchange of information. Not only does the mentor and proteg£ benefit from this exchange of ideas and information, but the Air Force as an organization will benefit greatly. Who should mentor? You. It is important to remember, the senior leader of an organization, such as a wing or group, is not the only leader. All supervisors, civilians, enlisted and officers should be mentors. Because everyone who enters the Air Force regardless of rank or grade needs helpful guidance and assistance to do their duties to the best of their abilities, all ranks and grades have valuable experiences that should be passed on to the younger generations. If the Air Force is to continue to be the best in the world, it not only needs superior weapon systems, but personnel who are advanced in their knowledge and skills because caring mentors took the time to listen, learn and advise to the best of their abilities. (This article is condensed from an article Colonel Bailey wrote for Air & Space Power Chronicles in 2004.) 777-7000 actjon.line.pa@hill.af.mil Bare facility l read an article recent- tary personnel, as well as civilians working on the base, will ly on the front page of be able to use the facility." What the Ogden Standardabout retirees? Examiner about the new fitness center. You are quoted Thanks for highlighting an as saying, "What we're stuck issue I am sure others may with now is a brand-new buildbe wondering about. Let ing that's basically going to be bare. However, about $350,000 me clarify a couple details so we can equipment all understand the issues clearly. needed for exercise is not available.1' Is this not so- First, the 75th Air Base Wing's liciting the local community for Services Division did properly plan for the needed equipment in the new funding? Also, you're quoted saying, "In $10.5 million fitness center, but due response to the funding short- to channeling additional funding to support the Global War on Terror, fall, a fundraiser will be held during the annual Davis County we were not provided any funding Gala this September, which will for fitness equipment. The equiphave the theme of "Hometown ment requirements cannot be, and Military Heroes." Isn't this also have never been, included as part of Illegal and against military poli- military cotistruction program fundcy and Department of Defense ing. So, in effect, we will have a new directives because you cannot beautiful fitness center this fall that have a fundraiser and accept will not have needed equipment indonations for items that are paid side. If it comes down to it, of course, for by appropriated funds? What is wrong with the current we will move some of our existing equipment in the fitness center? equipment from the current Hess When the original Fitness Cen- Fitness Center over to help out. The ter was planned and approved, point is - we do not now have sufficient equipment to properly operate it included new equipment. What happened? One last com- both the Hess Fitness Center and the ment in the article also needs to new one as we'd like to do so for our customers. With an increase in fitbe addressed. You said "Mili- Q A ness center space to serve all eligible patrons, we simply need more equipment. Anyone who has worked out in our present facilities certainly is ready for an expansion to eliminate the crowding experienced each day. Second, I certainly agree with you that government employees are not allowed to solicit funds for their agencies. I can tell you neither I nor other base senior leaders have done that. land many other senior leaders were asked by very caring, dedicated, and committed community members what gift they could provide that might positively provide the greatest benefit for our military, our civilians, and our families. Several options were discussed and I did mention the issue with lack of equipment for our new fitness center, which is going to be used by our military (active duty, Reserve, and Guard), our civilians, and our families. By the way, we active duty members certainly owe a debt of gratitude to our retirees, and they and their authorized family members are definitely included in our eligible customer base. They are always welcome and encouraged to participate in any and all fitness initiatives we offer. Third, you are correct that agencies are required to operate with the funds Congress provides. Congress, however, made an exception to this rule by allowing federal agencies to accept and use gifts under certain parameters. Should members of the local community donate the new equipment to the Air Force or donate cash to purchase the equipment, the Air Force can accept the donation. There is a very clear process we use to go up the chain of command for permission to accept gifts. We did Photo by Airman 1st Class Jenny Chong not violate federal rules when we Senior Airman Emily Warplnski (right), mentioned the various needs, includ- an Explosive Ordnance Disposal teching the lack of equipment. We never nician with the 775th Civil Engineer asked for contributions, we merely Squadron, shows Col. Scott Chamstated some challenges the base was bers, 75th Air Base Wing commander, facing. Last year, the Utah Defense and Layton Mayor Stephen Curtis the Alliance donated equipment for use results of a joint remote opening dein Hill's depot maintenance activivice shot during a tour with nine local ties. That gift has allowed tis to train mayors of the EOD shop Monday. The new workers and bring new workpurpose of a JROD Is to remotely open loads to the base, a great economic a suspicious package. boost to Utah and its citizens. dedicated community. As I say at Fourth, regarding the fundraiser all Newcomers Welcome events, we mentioned in your inquiry. The fund raising initiative is not an Air Force live at the best Air Force base in the world due to our important mission, project, but rather a community activity that is a second priority to the great opportunities for recreation off recognition the community desires to the base and our caring community. provide to each of the cities' military It just doesn't get any better than at Hill! heroes and to their families. I, as Thanks again for speaking up - all one of thousands here, continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of our the best! supervisor and chain of command the opportuWhen you call or send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the nity to work with you in answering questions agency responsible for action. Please give your and solving problems before calling the Action Phone numbers — The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Military Pay 777-1851 Civilian Pay • 777-6246 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 Program IG Complaints 777-5305 (for appointment) IG Complaints 777-5361 Security Forces 777-5550 24-hr. Crisis Information • 777-3056 Services 777-4134 Base Rejlauranli 777-2043 Rctircmcnt/Compcnialion 777-6142 (civilian) Social Actions : 777-3516 Employee Relations 777-7129 (after hours) Line. This will help me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest will be published in the Hilltop Times. Fraud, Waste or Abuse 777-5361 (recording) 75th Medical Group 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs 777-5201 Public Affairs Information 777-9696 Control Line Military Housing .\ . 777-2963 Maintenance Safety Office >. 777-3333 Union 777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-1852 Family Asilstance Center 775-3090 (when activated) May is National Fitness Month. What are you doing to improve your health and fitness? Tony Bishop Staff Sgt. James Smith 526th Flight Systems Sustainment Group 367th Training Support Squadron "My wife and I work out about four times a week." "I am trying to get my mile and half run time to below 9 minutes and 30 seconds. Basically, I'm shooting for a 100 on my physical fitness test." Craig Snow 508th Aircraft Sustainment Wing "I run every day and try not to eat chocolate." Hilltop flMES Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Col. Scott Chambers 75th ABW Commander Charles Freeman Chief, Public Affairs Barbara Fisher Editor Tech. Sgt. Crystal Robles Assistant Editor Beth Young, Mitch Shaw, Airman 1st Class Jenny Chong and Airman 1st Class Clayton Murray Staff Writers Shannon Smith Page Layout & Design Deadlines: Editorial and news Items, 3 p.m. Friday. For more information, call the editor, 777-4598. Steve Alsup 84th Combat Sustainment Wing "I am a kayaker. I'm planning a lot of kayaking trips and I plan to enjoy the waters out there." Senior Airman Jeremy Ellis Rene Foremski 34th Fighter Squadron 309th Maintenance Wing "Now that the weather is nice, I'm going out hiking and mountain biking more." "My daughter and son have been encouraging me for a long time, so I quit smoking. My children are my number one 'hoorahs' - every day they tell me they're proud of me. I've also started running and playing basketball and soccer with my kids." Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with [he 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 limes are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U-S Government, (he Department ofDcfcnsc 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 Ogden Publishing Corp., of the products or services advertised, l:veiyihing advertised in this publication shall IK made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex. national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 152. Gill 777--t5°-8 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to "hilltop.times^hill.af.mir. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2006 DUIs: 9 Hill's Last DUI: Unit Involved: Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide - rides wbco dMhlnatttl driver* urv unavultakbr. Call 777-1 Ulaty timt to rtqtata riJt. |