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Show COMMENTARY TIMES October 9, 2008 Wait a minute, wasn't that my idea after all? BY MAJ. RYAN COLBUHN 519th Combat Sustainment Squadron deputy director Weekly Since Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter... Standard-Examiner publisher Mary Lou Gorny. Hilltop Times Editor Lee Anne Heniley Hilltop Times Writer Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news Items e-mail hilltoptimesOstandard.net or call 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call 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 necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government, 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 militaryx. ian wire services andVlill Air Force Base public departments. Call 625-4273 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. Y ou're sitting in a meeting and the entire group is wrapped around the axle trying to solve a problem. You throw out an idea for a solution to the problem, but no one seems to notice or acknowledge what you've said. Five minutes later, some other guy (perhaps higher ranking or in a higher position) says exactly the same thing and the idea is met with rave attention and acceptance. The hair on the back of your neck stands up. Your mind races, "But that was my idea! He stole my idea and now he's getting the credit!" You get a little bitter. You disengage. You stop contributing. How unfortunate. Gen. George C. Marshal said, "There is no limit to the good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit." In a society that progressively places worth in a person's ability to produce valuable ideas and solutions we may have become oversensitive to getting acknowledgment. Recognize that I said "produce valuable ideas," I didn't say "identify problems." There is an overabundance of people who are more than happy to identify a problem. Regrettably, that is typically where they stop. Some call these people "complainers." Our Maj. Colburn leaders want people who can recognize AND focus on solving organizational challenges. That is valuable. Whether you get individual recognition or not, know that your contributions to our mission, regardless of the position you hold, are vital to our success. Sure it's difficult to get shot down or see your idea walking away in another guy's pocket, but isn't it best that the idea gets implemented in the first place? That's not the only good idea you have; there are more where that came from! Smile, knowing your idea was accepted and move on to your next opportunity to lead., Yes, lead. Leadership isn't always about barking orders or being in command. Leader- ship can happen in small ways every day regardless of your official position. If you are waiting to be in the "right" position or rank before you are going to step up and make a difference you're in the wrong state of mind. Example: Our squadron administrative assistant does not hold a position of high rank. However, she makes a huge impact on our organization. She is constantly throwing out ideas and solutions. She serves as a great sanity check for things. And best of all, she's not in it for the credit. She doesn't get discouraged when we don't accept her suggestion or idea. She's in it to make a difference and wants the best possible outcome — regardless of whose idea it is. This is what "service before self is all about. It's not about you; it's not about me. It's about the Air Force and the nation we've volunteered to defend. You have the ability to make a difference regardless of your position. Gen. Marshal obviously had a lot of great ideas and he didn't let them sit inside his head. Do what he did: Get them out there and make a difference. Report suspicious activity via the AFO5I EAGLE EYES program Dial: 777-3056/3057/3058. Watch - Report - Protect Force Protection is Our Business - Everyone is a Sensor 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil I've noticed over the past three seasons driving on Wardleigh Road from the 1200 building area to the upper hill that the trees on the north side receive much needed water and are growing wonderfully. Meanwhile on the south side, these poor trees are struggling to survive. What Is going on? Thank you for your question and for caring about keeping us a "Tree City USA!" The landscaping schemes and vegetation on either side of Wardleigh Road are completely different. And although the trees on both sides of the road appear the same, they are actually different. For example, the trees and vegetation on the north side of the road require frequent watering while the trees on the south side of the road happen to be a drought-resistant strain. Even so, in this deserTfieatMfieru^is needed for the south side trees. So there is, however, an irrigation drip sytem that keeps them waterea\$zaughout the season. These trees have started their dormant stage. You will see that of the many species of trees on the installation each will begin the fall dormant stage at different times. I appreciate your concern, but the trees are not dying; it's just a natural occurrence, so enjoy the fall foliage. Even the trees on the north side appeared to be dying, when in fact they were turning colors earlier this year. Phone numbers —The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: k^cri Security Forces..; 777-3056 24-hr. Crisis Information 777-3056 Force Support Squadron 777-4134 Base Restaurants 777-2043 Retirement/Compensation 777-6142 (civilian) Social Actions 777-3516 Employer Relations ...........777-7129 ALEX R. LLOYD/US. Air Force Trees on Wardleigh Road as seen on Oct. 7. Please give your supervisor ing the Action Line. This will When you call or send an e-mail, your comments will beand chain of command the help me better serve your inrecorded and staffed through opportunity to work with you terests. Items of basewide inthe agency responsible for ac-in answering questions and terest will be published in the solving problems before call- Hilltop Times. tion. Military Pay 777-1851 Civilian Pay 777-6246 Air Force Suggestion. 777-6901 Program Hill Straight Talk 777-9696 IC Complaints 777-5305 (for appointment) IC Complaints 777-5361 (after hours) fraud. Waste or Abuse. „. 777-5361 (recording) Loud Noise 1-877-885-9595 (complaints) 75th Medical Group 777-4918 Civil Engineering..... ..'...777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs 777-5333 Military Housing....«#.U: 825-9392 i Maintenance , Safety Office 777-3333 Safety Office Hotline 586-9300 Union 777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-1852 Family Assistance Center 777-3090 (when activated) Aerospace Expeditionary Force model adapts Question: I want to quit smoking. How many times must I try to quit before I am successful? Answer Go easy on yourself. Ex-smokers average 37 attempts to quit Quitting is a process. It takes as long as it takes for you to get to the quitting point and the closer you get the harder you may fight it Tobacco addiction is considered to be one of the hardest addictions to quit Increase your chances for quitting by signing up for the Health and Wellness Center Building 533 Tobacco Cessation course. Call 777-1215 to sign up. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2008 DUls: 26 Hill's Last DUI: Unit Involved: Airman Agalmt Drinking ind Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-1111 any time to request a ride. Shah of Iran. Worse followed 15 months latering environment, the USAF introduced a when the U.S. attempted to rescue diploconcept initially called the Expeditionary mats seized from the American Embassy in Aerospace Force. Tehran. In that April 1980 joint U.S. military eginning Oct. 1,1999, the United The concept helped the USAF transidisaster and other efforts the U.S. armed States Air Force deployed Aerotion from the Cold War; refine structure forces demonstrated shortcomings in muspace Expeditionary Force 1 to and organization, and frame modernizatual cooperation. Southwest Asia led by select members tion, recapitalization and transformation of Team Hill, including the 388th Fighter Dissatisfaction with these efforts led to efforts. The 1990s' very high operations Wing as lead wing and members of the the National Defense Reform Act of 1986 tempo, by a force 40 percent smaller than in 75th Air Base Wing. The deployment cul- which attempted to institutionalize joint 1987, prompted the AEF construct in order minated a decade of USAF change and service actions. It strengthened the role of to meet existing commitments, be ready to development to remain a vital part of the combatant command's Commander in meet others, and afford Airmen and their the national defense establishment. Team Chief in planning and conducting their own families predictable deployment schedules. Hill continues to be an integral part of the operations, and it supplied the Commander Though no organization in America was service's relatively new rotational system in Chiefs with designated operating head- ready for Sept. 11,2001, none was more featuring 10 AEFs. quarters for each of their components. This ready for the aftermath than the USAF. obviated the need for a service headquarters From combat to humanitarian operations, While U.S. military services have always been expeditionary in nature, the AEF ini- arriving on-the-fly to organize a Commanderby the end of 2001 there was some progtiative is a significant innovation in USAF in Chief's air power. ress in reducing the adverse effects of the history; in effect, improving during a period The conclusion of the 1990-91 Persian relentless operations. After 9/11, requireof downsizing what the service brings to Gulf War and collapse of the Soviet Union ments here became at least as challenging the joint fight. It institutionalizes an expedi- hastened large force structure cuts already as before. With the high demands of Operationary focus into practically every facet of under way in the American military. By tions Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, the service, including all Airmen — active 1992, the USAF faced a much different set the AEFs excelled to support the Combatant duty, Reserve and civilian. It helps to make of circumstances than before. Beginning Commanders' war fighting and deterrence the USAF the successful player it is in the was an era of continuing small scale demissions. Their initial surge in requirements post-Cold War national defense strategy by ployments, often led by the USAF, such as resulted in the Air Force using Airmen from leveraging its unique strengths as an aero- Operations Provide Comfort, Northern and almost every AEF pair to fulfill requirespace, and increasingly cyberspace, combat Southern Watch, and Noble AnviL ments. service. Throughout the 1990s, forces were conAdjustments continue to be made, and With the switch to an all-volunteer force tinuously deployed around the world, often there is still more to be done. This involves and severe cost restraints of the middle on very short notice and for prolonged dura- not only adjusting the AEF, but also adjustand late 1970s, prior piecemeal attempts tion. The varied and fast-breaking regional ing training and other programs. at quick-reaction air forces languished. crises appeared to be the model for the In addition to constituting some of the An embarrassment came in January 1979 foreseeable future and prompted the U.S. to AEFs, Team Hill continues to support and when the U.S. dispatched unarmed F-15Cs reassess how it prepared, maintained and sustain all of them along with other elements to Saudi Arabia in response to the fall of the employed its military forces. In this operat- of national defense. BY DAVE KENDZIORA Ogden Air Logistics Center historian B |