COMMENTARY>>Team Little Rock: Setting the example

By Maj. Dennis Higuera
314th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander

Training the world’s best combat airlifters is one of our primary missions here at Team Little Rock. We provide world-class training that makes our base a showcase. But it’s not just the training we provide that gives us world-class status. Just as important is the example we all set. We lead by example, and the impact of our example cannot be underestimated. In one of his famous quotes, baseball legend Yogi Berra said, “You can observe a lot just by watching.” So who is watching our example, and what do they observe?

Obvious answers are our peers, subordinates, supervisors and the general public. Of course we want to set a good example for them. But one group most of us don’t think about is foreigners, both military and civilian, here and abroad. Foreign military members from 38 countries visit Team Little Rock to learn how we operate, maintain and sustain combat airlift. They watch us in classrooms, briefing rooms and while traveling throughout the base. Foreigners also see us when we’re deployed. From the foreign military members we train and advise, to the interpreters who help us do so, our actions are observed more often than we realize.

What makes our example worthy of their attention? The reason is quite simple: They observe a lot about us just by watching.

They watch us doing more than just our jobs. They observe us living our core values. We show that our wealth and technology are not the main reasons for our greatness. Rather it’s our people who make us the greatest air and space force on Earth. A few weeks ago, Chief Master Sgt. Richard Turcotte wrote about the 10 percent in life that makes a difference and that “... we all have chosen to do something with that additional 10 percent.” We’ve chosen to make a difference, to further the noble cause that drives our great nation. And people observe this.

In 2006, I was an embedded training team member in Kabul, Afghanistan. One of our interpreters explained to us why they respect us so much. It was due to what we do, and what we don’t do. He said, “You could take many things and do many things to only help you and nobody would know. But you don’t.” They observed us doing the right things when nobody was looking. They knew we had volunteered to be there, and left our families behind to do so. They observed us striving to do the best we could, trying to make a difference. We set an example by living our core values and it influences their view of us.

Never underestimate the power of the example you set. Your discipline, loyalty, commitment and sacrifice impact the observations of many people far and wide. As such, your example impacts peacekeeping, disaster relief, engagement and even nation building. Your example makes a difference far beyond Team Little Rock. Remember, they observe a lot about us just by watching.