COMMENTARY>>Get your head in the game

By Chief Master Sgt.
Kenneth McTague
314th Mission Support Group superintendent

March Madness, what a sweet time to watch some good basketball games.

My son, Eli, and I sit there and scope out the talent. He always seems to know the inside scoop on the teams, players and coaches, what the person’s stats are and what awards they have won.

Every once in a while a great player will come out on the court ready to show what he can do. The announcers by this time have already sold the guy as a super hero (complete with cape), who can do no wrong; that is until he messes up and no longer delivers the goods. If he can’t score points, grab rebounds or make steals — well then he gets to sit and ride the pine (the bench) for a while.

What happens next is those in charge pull him aside and tells him “Get your Head In The Game.” The coaches ask if he is alright, if he needs medical attention or if he’s just in shock that he is in the big game. Whatever it is, he has a few seconds or minutes to figure it out. If he can’t he is out, and off the court. Either you’re ready to go or you are not.

This made me think about our role in the Air Force. Have you ever noticed a co-worker who was mentally a couple light years away, who froze up in an important meeting or does not acting the way they normally do. Years ago I would have said a sarcastic remark like “What are doing, waiting for the light to change? Lets go!’’ What I was telling them in a nutshell was, “Hey; get your head in the game. We need to get busy and finish the job.”

No matter the time of year, how long we have been in the Air Force or what rank we are, we are all guilty of not having our head in the game all the time. Some of those reasons could be family, deployment, job stress, relationship problems, money and of course, the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection.

The solution: is getting to know your team mates well enough to know if they are on their game or not. I am not talking about their whole family tree, blood type or all their kids’ and cousins’ names. I’m talking about knowing that person well enough to know when they’re a half a step slower than usual.

When you see it, just ask if they are ok. That alone may be enough for them to get back on track. Maybe they need to talk, take a day off or maybe a long leave to a far away place. Take the time to find out…ask them.

There is nothing better than watching a good game with folks that are into it, who truly have their head in the game. How about the Airman next to you, are they on their game?

Some may say “Chief the guy next to me is my boss, commander or first sergeant.” Don’t think for a moment they don’t have the same problems or issues in their life as you do. In many cases, they’ve just learned to cope better most of the time. Hey, still ask them. Coming from a person junior in rank, it may be the wake up call that need. With that said, I don’t recommend running up to the command chief master sergeant or the wing commander and tell them to “get their head in the game.”
Let’s take care of our own houses first — your troops, your boss and those close to you
How about yourself? Are you good to go? If so, cool. If not, find out why and get back in the game
Remember you were meant to be a player not a spectator.