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Show HJlc flMES Februarys 2010 MES Weekly Since 1948 HtfHop Times Editorial Staff: tee£arter... Standard-Examiner publisher ***-*Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor ineHensley Hilltop Times Writer Catherine McNally 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 hilltoptimesestandard.net or call (801) 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call (801) 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call (801) 625-4388. jThe 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 (801) 625-4273 with story ideas or comments, or contact the editor, Mary Lou Gorny, at mgorny@standard. net. Call (801) 625-4300 for Classified Advertising or (801) 625-4388 for Retail Advertising. AWC Nest f iLntii Tip (torn Ihr Hraflh an COMMENTARY For Airmen, extraordinary things happen every BY MAJ. SCOTT M. FINCH 55th Contracting Squadron commander O FFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. —As military members, most of us understand we're a part of something special. I'm not sure I realized the full reality of just how unique our profession is until I stepped away from it. I didn't stay away long, but when I returned, it was with a new sense of appreciation. I served almost 10 years on active duty, but currently enjoy the privilege of serving part-time in the Air Force Reserve as an individual mobilization augmentee. My full-time career is in the private sector working for a large financial management corporation. Experiencing both careers side-by-side has allowed me to view my military experience in a new light and deepened my gratitude for the time I spend on active duty. While I thoroughly enjoy my civilian job and have enormous respect for my co-workers, I'm convinced the business world falls far short when it comes to leadership and taking care of people. I say this not to disparage. Clearly what we do in the military is unique and to expect as much from a nonmilitary organization is setting a very high standard. Each of us is taught a culture of "service before self' from our earliest days in basic training, and this is something very hard to translate into the business world. Here are just a few examples of the uniqueness of our profession I've witnessed: • While serving in support of Operation Joint Guardian in the mid1990s, the vice chairman of the joint chiefs came to Ma}. Finch visit us during the holidays. The general learned that one of my team members recently lost a family member, but was unable to get home. The general quietly sought out the bereaved service member and ensured he was on his personal helicopter and plane to the states. It was a small thing for the general to do, but it had a big impact on the service member and to those of us who witnessed it. • A few years ago, I was planning to attend a conference at Langley Air Force Base, Va. My physical training test was due, and since I was going to be on orders, it was a good time to take the test. I notified the senior individual mobilization augmentee, a colonel in Air Combat Command contracting, that I'd be testing at Langley. When I showed up to test, I was surprised to see the colonel there in PT gear. He wasn't due to test, he simply felt it was his duty to personally provide me a wingman to run with. It was a small thing, but I still appreciate the leadership he showed. • Recently, my first sergeant told me of the status on his efforts to prepare a squadron member for career development SENIOR AIRMAN ALEXANDRE MONTES/U.S. Air Force The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performs as part of the w team's Summer Drill Series July 11 at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Moments like this, where the professionalism of America's Airmen is on display, is what Maj. Scott M. Finch, 55th ; Contracting Squadron commander, misses most when he's not on i active duty. testing. He quizzed the Airman on possible test questions and as a result of their joint efforts, the young man is not only prepared to pass the test, but is in a position to excel. We take this type of thing for granted in the military, but I'm compelled to celebrate it as special when you compare it to other professions. The dedication military members feel to ensure subordinates are mentored and prepared for career advancement is a small thing to many, but I'm convinced it's a treasure of our profession. • The sounding of retreat and the playing of the national anthem every day is something I tell my friends and civilian coworkers at home about. I'm not sure they understand, but I look, forward to that loudspeaker. It reminds me of where I am and , how good it is to be here. It's one. more small thing I miss when I. return home to my civilian career. Whether it's a simple order ;; from a general to make room for a grieving service member, the v first sergeant showing concern for his Airmen or the simple daily routine of playing the national anthem, once you've left the Air.,. Force for your next chapter in , life, you will one day look back r-, and find what was once a routine, experience is now viewed as ani(, "extraordinary occurrence." ,< These small things are what :. make the profession we chose SQ. very special. TEAM HILL IN ACTION 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil Report suspicious activity vi3 the AFO5I EAGLE EYES program When you call or send an e-mail, your comDfcl: 777-3056 ments will be recorded and staffed through the / 3057/ 3058. agency responsible for action. Watch - Report Please give your supervisor and chain of comProtect mand the opportunity to work with you in answering questions and solving problems before Force Protection calling the Action Line. This will help me better is Our Business serve your interests. Items of basewide interest - Everyone is a will be published in the Hilltop Times. Sensor Phone numbers —The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces 777-3056 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) IG 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 (when activated) Get fit at 50 and beyond! This six-week course will help you get started or advance your level of activity, exercise, strength and flexibility. Meet either Tuesday or Thursday, from 11 a.m.-noon, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 9, or Thursday, Feb. 11. The class will be held at the Health and Wellness Center. Call (801) 777-1215 to register. TODD CROMAR/U.S. Air Force Airman Christopher Higginbotham, 649th Munitions Squadron, greets and collects money from Guillermo Rendon, 507th Combat Sustainment Squadron, and Jessica Rendon, 418th Supply Chain Management Squadron, for a potluck lunch held at the 649th MUNS, Jan. 22. As one of the primary organizers of the lunch, Higginbotham helped to raise money and awareness for the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. What is your favorite Super Bowl food or drink? THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2010 DUIs: 3 Hill's Last DUI: . 9 Unit Involved: jilrmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers C' ' are unavailable. V ' -Call 777-11J1 any time to request a ride. Senior Airman Cameron Hutchings 75th Force Support Squadi ron IMA with Air NationalGuard Guai "I like to eat the little smokies sausages during the game." Senior Airman David Dearstone 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron "I like to watch the game with a cold Corona!" Chief Master Sgt. David R. Nordel OOgden Air Logistics Center! 75th Air Base Wing command chief "Growing up my family always had cold beer, warm fresh sourdough bread and fresh cracked crab." Airman 1st Class Michelle Peterson 75th Force Support Squadron "Margaritas are my drink of choice when watching the Super Bowl." |