CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of commentaries highlighting the pillars of Air Commando excellence at Cannon.
Epidemics have a bad connotation. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been dominating the news lately and is a tragedy. Webster Online defines an epidemic as something that affects a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time.
Across Air Force Special Operations Command, leaders at all levels are fully engaged in promoting and spreading a pride epidemic across our installations. I would argue that we have had infectious pride since AFSOC stood up in 1990; it was evident when I joined the 15th Special Operations Squadron in 1993. All of the units had pride in their mission set, knowing that they brought a unique capability to the fight.
Over the years since 9/11, our operations tempo has increased and our manpower has decreased. However, we still hold pride in our unique core capabilities and have pride in being Air Commandos, even though it is tougher to balance our mission, family and personal well-being.
I have had the opportunity to serve with many great leaders over the years and have been able to raise my personal bar of excellence by observing and learning from them. One theme that stuck revolves around our “cultural wallpaper.” We pass by things each day that are out of place—to the point that we don’t notice anymore. This is true, but it becomes even more evident and clear once you are aware and open your aperture up to your surroundings. I had to learn that I was walking by things unintentionally on a daily basis; I was so task-focused that I did not see them. I had to learn to slow down and observe, and in turn I help others learn to slow down and observe.
Another mentoring technique I use daily is to pick up trash when I see it; even if it is not directly on my path. If I see an Airman pass by a piece of trash, that is an opportunity to have a conversation. My message to Airmen is “Don’t pass by a problem,” it just takes a moment to fix most problems. Whether standards, trash, or something else out of place on the installation, taking time to fix a small problem will prevent larger problems down the road. It also says a lot about an individual and our collective team. It says that we are leaders and have the courage to fix problems. Send us. It’s not a junior Airman thing to pick up the trash—it’s a pride thing.
If you take pride in yourself and project that pride onto your installation and your job performance, eventually it will become an epidemic across the installation. Basic team dynamics will take over at that point and everyone will want to be a part of a professional, high performing team operating from a professional installation.
Lately, I have been going out of my way more than usual to pick up the trash and keep Cannon looking professional, and I feel fine.
Borrowing a line from the famous Saturday Night Live Christopher Walken skit, “I’ve got a fever… and the only prescription is…more PRIDE (not more COWBELL)!”
Good to great, acceptable to exceptional: there is a noticeable difference. I encourage everyone to take pride in themselves and their mission and serve each day with purpose and passion. In the future, we will shoot more, fly more and train harder than ever before. We are America’s Air Commandos and we are proud. Thanks for your service; it is an honor to serve as your command chief!