COMMENTARY >> Back to basics

By Chief Master Sgt. James Sargent
463rd Airlift Group superintendent


This past spring has been very busy here at the Rock! We’ve successfully completed three operational readiness inspections, multiple deployment rotations and the day to day training mission that keeps us all busy.

There are numerous challenges that lie ahead to include host base transfer and the many leadership changes that happen every PCS season.

With all that, it is easy to get caught up in the “project of the week” and lose focus on one of our primary responsibilities...Leadership! All of us are leaders, from the youngest Airman to the oldest chief. Below are some back-to-basics leadership guidelines we all can review to keep our focus sharp.

1. Engage -- take charge and be decisive in every situation -- don't waiver in the face of adversity.

2. Be professional -- be an expert in our profession of arms -- lead, supervise, and follow with confidence. Apply the core values in every endeavor of our profession and "coach" everyone to maximize individual and unit success.

3. Be knowledgeable -- know, understand, study, and apply our military standards, instructions, and directives in all endeavors.

4. Know your people - be an analog leader -- attain a "look you in the eye" attitude. Get to know them and personalize the opportunity to understand and appreciate who you lead and supervise.

5. Don't settle for second best -- set the standard bar high and hold your people accountable -- properly apply the disciplinary actions -- reward and recognize for those who strive for excellence.

6. Team Build -- be inclusive, firm, fair, equitable and consistent in your duties and responsibilities toward everyone. Instill a sense of pride, spirit, camaraderie and esprit de corps -- cheerlead success and excellence.

7. Communicate -- A four-way process -- up, down and across all levels and do it again. The most crucial aspect of enlisted leadership and supervision.

8. Be respectful -- treat others with compassion -- zero tolerance for maltreatment, harassment and discrimination.
9. Have fun -- invigorate and encourage social functions -- people must relax and have fun away from work.

Our mission, Combat Airlift, is our top priority! We have no place for "latch-key" supervisors or "caretaker" leaders who expect others to maintain the health, morale, welfare, discipline and readiness of our forces.

So step up and become the leader our Air Force needs!

Combat Airlift!