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Show COMMENTARY TIMES April 30, 2009 Vigilance includes not zoning out to surroundings Hilltop TIMES Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter... Standard-Examiner publisher Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor Lee Anne Henslcy,... Hilltop Times Writer Catherine Cornett Hilltop Times Correspondent Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To Submit news items e-mail hilltoptimes6standard.net or call 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call 625-4300. For Retail Advertising", call 625-4388. 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, 332 Standard Way, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 625-4273 with story ideas or comments, or contact the editor, Mary Lou Gprny, at mgorny@standard. net. Call 625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 625-4388 for Retail Advertising. BY CHIEF MASTER SGT. KEVIN CANOLER Ogden Air Logistics Centerand 75th Air Base Wing Command chief I was going to write an amusing, but pointed, message about saluting vehicles marked by appropriate rank symbols. But the story I'll mention is not that hilarious when you critically think about it, and it represents a more strategic issue at hand. I'm hosting a three-star general officer at one of my previous bases and I hear the jingle on my cell phone. It's him — his mess dress undershirt was not in the bag prepared for him by his aide. I'm not sure what happened to the aide after that, but I grabbed the government vehicle, fully marked with three huge stars on the front, and picked him up on my way to the military clothing sales store since he wouldn't let me go alone. We arrive, and as we are just about to stop the vehicle in front of the west entrance to the Base Exchange, an Airman and a Marine were standing and talking, facing the vehicle. Just like you, I would expect them to see the placard on the front and salute with snap — it didn't happen. Lt. Gen. X exited the vehicle and walked within four feet of them and asked them how they were doing as he walked by, but didn't get a salute from either. Now, you can bet I was steaming a bit, but simply Chief Master Sgt. asked them to stand Candler by the vehicle until he came back out. While the general was purchasing his shirt, I talked with those two warriors about proper courtesies and the respect we must know and execute. After that, I asked them to stand at attention and wait for the general to come out of the BX, salute and apologize for not recognizing the rank prior to then. It was executed perfectly — issue resolved. Now, a closer story to you: I'm out with a commander not too long ago. We drive right up to three service members, and no salute. Keep in mind the colonel placard was there, clearly visible. Of course, I asked her to proceed and enter the building, and I stayed behind to correct those warfighters. Incidents like this happen too often, whether it's a center commander, wing commander or another government vehicle with officer designation on them. "Why?" is my question. I'm not saying I was or am perfect, but I am committed to adhering to our standards and our core values at all times. Are there instances when I lose sight of my surroundings and make an innocent mistake? Sure. And I think that's where it all lies — vigilance. I don't believe for one minute that any warrior who signed up to defend freedom wants, or tries, to be below the standard. It's my opinion that we sometimes aren't simply paying attention to our surroundings. So, I ask you to be vigilant — know what's going on around you, not only for the saluting of vehicles, but also for force protection, safety of others, operations security, everyday standards, and so on. Every service member is on point all the time — stay alert and do the right thing! INTERVIEW ON THE JOB 777-7000 action.line.pa@hili.af.mil ' When you call or send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor 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. Report suspicious activity via the AFO5I EAGLE EYES Dial: 777-3056/5057/3058. Watch - Report Ba i Force Protection is Oiw 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: STAFF SGT. KYLE BRASIER/U.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Williams, 75th Air Base Wing vice commander, is interviewed by television media during the AMA Supercross event April 25 at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium. Williams swore in new Air Force recruits and informed the crowd about upcoming Air Force Week Salt Lake City 2009. Nest *~-'Hnt*s* Tip l(O»n I he Hr-allh an 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 , 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 Croup 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs 777-5333 Military Housing 825-9392 Maintenance Safety Office 777-3333 Safety Office Hotline 586-9300 Union 777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-1852 Family Assistance Center 777-3090 (whenactivated) _\ : What volunteer effort do you plan to do in the near future? Attention Department of Defense federal employees: Tired of smoking but do not have the money to quit? Twelve weeks of free medication will be provided to all Hill Air Force Base federal employees who participate in the tobacco cessation program at the Health and Wellness Center. Call 777-1215 for further information and to sign up. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2009 DUIs: 13 Hill's Last DUI: 25 Unit Involved: Stacey Hansen AAFES vendor, Petals & Blooms manager Tech. Sgt. Christopher Huff . 419th Civil Engineering Squadron Master Sgt. Shane Thomas 75th Force Support Squadron First Sergeant Jason Carrion 573rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron "I would like to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity again." "I am helping to get all units to sponsor an event during Air Force Week through the 'Adopt an Event' program. There will be more than 30 events to support." "I will provide full-time support to the Air Force Week coordination team for the next month." Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. "I usually donate gift baskets, flowers, plants and gift cards to base events and I send care packages, usually full of beef jerky and junk food, to the deployed Airmen." Call 777-1111 any time to request a ride. |