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Show COMMENTARY It's all in the dash, that which defines your life May 1, 2008 HiUtop X^ ^ TfMES Nlirr I O Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter... Standard-Examiner publnher Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor Lee Anne Henjlcy HllltopTlmes Writer Deadlines: Editorial and nev« items ore due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items e-mail hilltoptimeseitdndafd.net or call 629-4273. For Oanified Advertising, Call 62S-4300. For Retail Advertising, call 625-4383. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corporation, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop Times does not neccessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Governtnent, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Government of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be 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 Standard-Examiner's Davis County Office, 67 S. Main St., Suite 140, Layton, Utah, 84040. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 629-4273 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to Editor Mary Lou Gorny at mgorny@standard. net. Call 625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 625-4388 for Retail Advertising. COMMENTARY BY COL MATT CHINI 75th Medical Group commander L ife is a series of dashes. If you think about it, your life will one day be captured as a birth date and death date with a dash in between. Garth Brooks said it very well, "What's more important is the time that is known in that little dash there in between" ("Pushing Up Daisies," Scarecrow, 2001). We have no control over the beginning or the ending but the dash is in our control. It is the dash that your families and friends will remember and defines your purpose. In the Air Force, our careers are a series of dashes denoting assignments, promotions, decorations and performance reports. Whether this is your first assignment or 11th, you likely approached it with excitement and dread. You were excited about new opportunities and adventures, yet dreaded the necessity of leaving friends and apprehensive about starting a new chapter in your life. If you are like many, life and work take over without much conscious thought on your part. Time quickly flows forward and before long, the dash is gone. You don't have to let that dash pass; you can take charge and help write what your dash means. I'm a firm believer in setting your own destiny and writing your own life story; setting personal and professional goals is part of writing this story. Personal goals are focused on Col. Chini health, family and community and should be the centerpiece of one's life. First, you need to maintain your health to ensure a lasting, productive life so you can be there for your family and community. You only get one body and the quality of your life over the long run depends on how well you maintain it. Secondly, taking care of those family relationships is critical to personal health and the larger community. Your family will be with you long after you decide to leave the Air Force; if you treat them poorly or neglect your relationships, you may never be able to mend them. Third, humans are social animals and thrive in a community where everyone participates, follows laws and helps their neighbor. Professional goals are focused on improving skills and contributing to organizational performance. Many seem to be content with their current role in an organization or how their organization is running. If you look around and can say that your organization is running just fine, then you've ceased contributing. I doubt there is a perfect organization anywhere; they all must adapt and continuously improve. As part of your professional development, seek new skills and always look for new, better ways of doing business. Goals are not — and should not be — static. Sometimes things don't quite work out the way you planned or hoped. That doesn't mean you give up; instead, you set your sights on different goals and pursue those. Again, you are in charge of writing your story. Our Air Force and nation deserve your full effort .and contributions. You, your family, and your community need you to commit to defining your dash. Start today and write the story of your life. 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil The 388th Fighter Wing Viper West F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration team prepares to fly for the families and children selected by the Make a Wish Foundation on Tuesday, April 29, on the Hill Air Force Base flight line. Report suspicious activity vi3 the AFOSI EAGLE EYES program Dial: 777-3056/ 3057/ 3508. Watch - Report - Protect Force Protection is Our Business - Everyone is a Sensor Phone numbers —The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces 777-5550 24-hr, Crisis Information .777-3056 Services V.. 777-4134 Base Restaurants 777-2043 Retirement/Compensation 777-6142 (civilian) Social Actions', 777-3516 Employer Relations 777-7129 Military Pay :;.. 777-1851 Civilian Pay .V..:..777-6246 Air Force Suggestion :..777-6901 Program IG Complaints ::.!!. IT.: ...777-5305 (for appointment) IC Complaints 777-5361 (after hours) ...-,. . When you call or send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please giveyoursupervisor and chain of command the opportunity to work with you in answering questions and solving problems before calling the Action 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 Hitl 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 Assistance Center.777-3090 (when activated) As a dorm resident, what are some types §L of things you do during your free time? Nest Fitnet*Tip from Ihe Hralthnnd Wrllnrii Cenlrr Worried about your child's weight? Do not try to control the amount of food your child eats. This will actually backfire, leading your child to think too much about food and then overeat more. Focus on health and get the whole family involved. Never single out one or two members of the family. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2008 DUIs: 13 Hill's Last DUI: /tfrtd 6 Unit Involved: Airman Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-1111 any time to requeit a ride. Airman 1st Class Alisha Moore 388th Fighter Wing Airman 1st Class Patrick Chandler 75th Air Base Wing "I enjoy snowboarding, hiking and visiting my home in California." "I have a good time playing video games, and I want to get out with a little more rock climbing. During the winter, I love snowboarding." Airman 1st Class David Mills 388th Fighter Wing "I have a Jeep, so wherever it Qoes I'm right with it. I love the outdoors like snowboarding and hiking. We're going,to check out Moab this weekend." Airman 1st Class Andrew Petrovsky 388th Fighter Wing "During my free time I go down to Miller Motorsports park. I'm a big fan of European automobiles." |