By Lt. Col. Brian Daniels
19th Maintenance Group
Some years ago a wise “cowboy poet,” singer Travis Tritt, wrote and performed a song called “10 Feet Tall and Bulletproof.” While the song and the video were funny and presented in a lighthearted manner, it made a great point about how alcohol makes us feel invincible.
For you young troops, who are asking who is Travis Tritt and what does the song say, here is a little excerpt: “Well, I start to feel like Superman; then I pick a fight only to find out that my opponent’s holding kryptonite; you’d think I’d learn my lesson, but I’m still paying dues each time I drink and start to think I’m 10 feet tall and bulletproof.”
Now imagine a video that shows a rather rotund redneck man looking into a mirror and seeing a great-looking, muscular guy who, in his eyes, is 10 feet tall and bulletproof.
Everyone who has drunk alcohol surely experienced looking at life through “beer goggles,” and the view is usually much brighter than reality. To illustrate this point, here are a couple of examples that I have either witnessed or are aware of.
First, I had a roommate in college, Bob, who was tall, muscular and was usually among the biggest guys in the room. He was laid back and pretty much minded his own business when he went out to the clubs or bars near the college. I don’t exactly know why, probably due to his size, but he was routinely targeted by drunken guys, who thought they were 10 feet tall and bulletproof. They picked fights with him, presumably to impress their friends or a young lady. What they did not know, but quickly found out, was that Bob was a black belt in multiple martial arts disciplines and was extremely skilled in the art of defense. Bob never seriously hurt anyone, but I witnessed embarrassed guys pick themselves up and have to walk out with their tails between their legs because in a drunken state, they thought they were bigger and better than they were.
The second example was from a news story I saw when I was stationed in Florida. Florida has the intercostal waterway with many nice houses and boat docks lining the shores. Anyone familiar with Florida knows that there are sharks along the coast, and they occasionally make their way into the intercostal waterway. A young man who had been drinking all day on one of those boat docks decided that he was 10 feet tall and bulletproof, so he jumped from his dock onto the back of a very large bull shark that was swimming past. Suffice it to say, the shark was tougher, and it was the last thing this young man ever did.
Here is the so what. In the nearly two years I have been stationed here, there have been a large number of alcohol-related incidents and most, if not all, have been a result of young Airmen drinking too much and making terrible decisions. It is not uncommon to hear that our Airmen have a BAC of .2 or more when tested. This is a terrifying part of command as alcohol lowers inhibitions and contributes to Airmen making horrible decisions that they would have never considered while sober.
The “it won’t happen to me” mentality will ultimately catch up to you. If you’re lucky, it will not result in an unrecoverable mistake that costs you your life or the life of another. Despite what you might think while intoxicated, you are not 10 feet tall and bulletproof.
There are so many options including supervisor or peer intervention, AADD and local taxi services (to name just a few) that are available to help every Airman make the right choice when you drink. The key is making a plan before you drink and sticking to the plan even if it costs a few dollars.
Finally, I think the use of the term wingman is overused in many instances, but it is our duty to protect our fellow Airmen and step in before they do something that could affect the rest of their lives. So, before your buddy decides to pick a fight with Bob or jump on the back of a shark or drive their 4WD on local soccer fields or wake up on someone else’s lawn or fall into a bon fire or argue with a cop at a bar or, on a more serious note, cheat on their spouse, sexually assault someone or take a life in a car…be a leader and intervene before your wingman makes a fatal decision.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
CLASSIFIEDS >> 05-31-13
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE COMBAT AIRLIFTER CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT will take ads
by phone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 982-9421, or you may mail
your ad to 404 Graham Rd., Jacksonville, Ark. 72078. You may also e-mail them
to combatairlifterclassifieds@arkansasleader.com Deadline to advertise in
Friday's issue is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
HELP WANTED
DRIVERS: MAKE $63,000 year more, $2,500 Driver Referral
Bonus & $1,200 Orientation Completion Bonus! CDL-A OTR experience required.
Call now: 1-888-993-0972.
CDL-A TRUCK driver O/Os. Home nearly every day! Excellent
pay! $1.07/mile. Mainstream Transportation. Call today! 866-441-0169.
YARD SALES
MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE sale, 6/1, 7 am-noon, 894 Jamestown
Cir., Jax. (Collenwood subv.)
HUGE MULTI-FAMILY yard sale, 5/31 & 6/1, 14 Country
Village Cir., Cabot. Fishing & camping equipment, toys, tools, children
& adult clothing, lights, furniture & many extras.
YARD SALE, 6/1, 8 am-? 226 Weathering Cir., Austin.
Girl's clothes 3 mos.-4T, toys, household items, miscellaneous, more.
GARAGE SALE, 6/1, 8 am-2 pm, 12 Glendale Dr., Cabot.
2-FAMILY YARD sale, 6/1, 7 am, 109 Lexington Ct., Jax. 2
storage buildings.
YARD SALE, 5/31 & 6/1, 8 am-2 pm, 616 Chaucer Ct.,
Stonewall, Jax. Lots of bargains.
MULTI-FAMILY MOVING sale, 6/1, 7 am-2 pm, 75 Rosebud
Cir., Cabot. Furniture, camping gear, box springs, TV in the box, tons of
scrapbooking stuff!
HORSES
HORSES: LUCKY Acres Boarding Stable, TLC for your horse,
box stalls and paddocks, clean pastures, indoor and outdoor arenas, riding
instruction and training program. Dressage our specialty. (501) 988-2458.
PETS
3 YR. old Catahoula/Golden Retriever mix & 4 yr. old
Beagle/Shepherd mix, free. (616) 485-0019.
AUTOS/ACCESSORIES
2010 MUSTANG Convertible, torch red, black top, V-6,
5-spd. automatic, 37,000 miles, like new condition with excellent miles per
gallon & fun to drive. Price reduced to $17,500. (501) 231-6184.
ATV TIRES, Dunlop, 2 at size 25x10-12, & 2 at size
25x8-12, used but good amount of tread remains, $40 for all. (501) 843-2187.
GREAT BUY!! 2004 Grand Marquis, good mileage, clean
interior, $2,850 obo. Don't miss out! (501) 241-1883 or (501) 658-3224.
2012 CHEVROLET Camaro wheels, 2-20x8, 2-20x9, only 2,400
miles, great condition, $550 obo. (501) 743-5385, leave msg.
2008 HONDA CR-V LX 4-door, black, 64,000 miles, excellent
condition, $11,800. (501) 554-3508.
1998 TOYOTA Rav4, tinted windows, cold A/C, good tires,
black, 5-spd., CD, aux. hookup, 4WD, 152,000 miles, runs well, $3,300 obo.
Call/text (501) 410-2752.
1968 CHEVY C10 project truck, SWB/fleet side, metal bed,
lg. back window, comes w/extra hood, doors, rocker panels, cab corners, grill,
etc. No motor or trans., $1,650 obo. (501) 773-7741.
2003 FORD F150 King Ranch, runs but will need a new 5.4L,
$7,300. (501) 773-7741.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
2008 HONDA CBR600RR, 8,700 miles, $7,000 obo. (918)
978-5012.
2005 WEEKEND Warrior Lite travel trailer, 24', sleeps 6,
Onan generator, outdoor shower, refuel station, heat & air, awning,
non-smoker, $10,000. (501) 983-8022.
ITEMS FOR SALE
SCHOOL BOOKS, 50 Essays, 3rd edition by Samuel Cohen,
$18; Easy Writer, 4th edition by Andrea A. Lunsford, $25. (501) 786-3803.
COLEMAN CAMP stove & lantern, use or class as
antiques, bought new in early '70s, used once, still in orig. box, use liquid
fuel, like new, $75 for both. (501) 843-2187.
CRAFTSMAN, HEAVY duty shop vice, 5" jaw width, opens
to 9", weight 50 lbs., USA made, excellent condition, $50 cash. (501)
843-2187.
KENMORE WASHER & dryer, work well, $300. (443) 243-7583.
PENTAX OPTIO M30 digital camera, 7.1 mp., 3x optical
zoom, lithium ion battery w/2 chargers, USB cable, CD-ROM & case, $90.
(918) 649-5164.
ADULT BIKE, $50. (501) 658-5213 after 7 pm.
FURNITURE
VINTAGE PIANO, Jesse French, handsome furniture piece,
needs tuning, $50; brown leather couch, Flex-steel, excellent, non-smoking
house, $200. 843-7398, Cabot.
TRIPLE DRESSER, matching night stands, real bamboo, brass
pulls, vintage, $400 obo. (501) 835-3135.
HOUSES FOR RENT
3 bedroom, 2 bath, approximately 1500 sq. ft., LOCATION!
Playful cul-de-sac in Cabot. Large rooms, fenced backyard. Pets extra,
appliances. Priced to rent fast at $960 month. Call (215) 264-8728.
3 BEDROOM, 2 bath, living room, den with fireplace,
kitchen with stove, refrigerator & dishwasher, laundry area, 2-car garage,
fenced backyard, pets considered with nonrefundable pet deposit. Close to air
base, Stonewall subdivision, on cul-de-sac. $975 plus deposit. Call (501)
529-7767 or (501) 529-7624.
CLEAN 3 bedroom, 2 bath on Jacksonville cul-de-sac,
Stonewall. All appliances & washer/dryer, fireplace, deck, HOA pool &
T-court, 2-car garage with openers. $975 month. (805) 402-7424.
FOR LEASE: 1700 sq. ft. home in Westhaven subdivision in
Cabot. Very clean, pet free, smoke free home with large backyard. $1,000
deposit (nonrefundable to pet owners), $1,100 per month. Call Tommy @ (501)
680-1246.
FOR RENT: 3/2 house, very nice, 31 Park View, Cabot. $850
month, $550 deposit. Call Richard (870) 329-0019.
HOUSES FOR SALE
VA NO money down, liberal help with buyer's closing
costs. 2215 sq. ft. brick house on 5 acres near LRAFB. Price reduced,
completely updated. Homebuyer's warranty available. Doug Wilkinson, 982-1517.
Call Jack, 804-1616 or Rhonda, 590-6598.
BEAUTIFUL, SPACIOUS 3 BR, 2 1/2 bath, formal dining room,
fireplace, storm shelter, close to Beebe schools, vaulted ceilings in LR &
master. $175,000. Call (870) 615-9009.
BRIEFS 05-31-13
Vacation Bible School scheduled
Scheduled to take place June 10 - 14, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the TCAC. For more information call 987-6014.
Commissary Survey goes live
From Saturday through Aug. 1, an online survey will be available on www.commissaries.com by clicking on the “take our survey” link or accessing the survey directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DeCA-Shopping-Survey.
19 AW Enlisted Promotion Recognition Ceremony today
The 19th Airlift Wing’s enlisted promotion recognition ceremony is at 3:30 p.m. today at Hangar 1080.
Legal Office closure
The Legal Office will be closed from noon to 2:30 p.m. June 14 for an official function. If you require emergency assistance, please contact the Command Post at 987-1900. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Newcomers orientation event
Newcomers in-processing to the base is held at the Airman and Family Readiness Center Bldg 668 on Wednesdays from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Spouses are encouraged to attend. Call 501-987-6801 for an appointment.
19th FSS Change of Command
The 19th Force Support Squadron change-of-command ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. June 7 in Hangar 1080.
Auto Hobby Shop closed June 8
Due to the Cruisin’ at the Rock Car Show being held at the TCAC, the Auto Hobby Shop will be closed June 8.
EFMP Quarterly Movie
Kid-friendly movie presented at the Thomas Community Activity Center Bldg 868 from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Drinks and snack will be provided. Call 501-987-6801 for scheduling.
Scheduled to take place June 10 - 14, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the TCAC. For more information call 987-6014.
Commissary Survey goes live
From Saturday through Aug. 1, an online survey will be available on www.commissaries.com by clicking on the “take our survey” link or accessing the survey directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DeCA-Shopping-Survey.
19 AW Enlisted Promotion Recognition Ceremony today
The 19th Airlift Wing’s enlisted promotion recognition ceremony is at 3:30 p.m. today at Hangar 1080.
Legal Office closure
The Legal Office will be closed from noon to 2:30 p.m. June 14 for an official function. If you require emergency assistance, please contact the Command Post at 987-1900. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Newcomers orientation event
Newcomers in-processing to the base is held at the Airman and Family Readiness Center Bldg 668 on Wednesdays from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Spouses are encouraged to attend. Call 501-987-6801 for an appointment.
19th FSS Change of Command
The 19th Force Support Squadron change-of-command ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. June 7 in Hangar 1080.
Auto Hobby Shop closed June 8
Due to the Cruisin’ at the Rock Car Show being held at the TCAC, the Auto Hobby Shop will be closed June 8.
EFMP Quarterly Movie
Kid-friendly movie presented at the Thomas Community Activity Center Bldg 868 from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Drinks and snack will be provided. Call 501-987-6801 for scheduling.
FEATURE >> The Spurling Animal Shelter
By Airman 1st Class Scott Poe
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Fifteen years ago Samson, a Yorkie, found a home in San Antonio, Texas. The home was that of Senior Master Sgt. Melissa Spurling. Seeing Samson, she fell in love. Samson was the first animal adopted by Spurling, driving her devotion and love for animals.
Living in San Antonio, she could not go anywhere without passing a stray cat or dog. She started taking in strays and giving them homes, thus establishing the foundation of The Spurling Animal shelter.
“Once I got Samson, who is 15 years old, I don’t know what it was, but I just knew I loved animals, that’s what started it all, it’s all Sam’s fault,” said Spurling.
There are currently 16 dogs and 35 cats all individually named, and being cared for by Spurling. When she first started rescuing animals, she would find them herself but after she made a name for herself people would call her about strays.
“When I started off, I would just find animals on my own, either on the side of the road or at a gas station… whereever there was an animal in need, I decided to pick it up,” said Spurling. “Once word got out, then people started calling me; they would find a dog and they would be like ‘what can you do with this dog,’” said Spurling.
When Spurling rescues an animal the first thing she does is take it to the vet to get checked out. Sometimes the animal may need immediate attention, because if it is sick it could be passed on to other animals.
“Once I rescue an animal, I take it to my vet for care; spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm test, and other tests,” said Spurling. “After they are healthy, I will bring them home.”
The main goal of the rescue is to give the animals a good life. When Spurling brings an animal home she is prepared to take care of that animal for the rest of its life. Adoption is a difficult process; not all homes are qualified to keep a pet. Potential adopters must fill out an application and references are called.
“I am extremely picky on potential homes,” she said. “I didn’t rescue them to be put back in another bad situation. My commitment extends for their entire lifetime. I do have an adoption application and I will call references and a vet before making any decisions. Not everyone deserves to have an animal. I say ‘no’ to homes more than I say ‘yes’.”
Spurlings most recent rescue was a rottweiler named Treasure. She was shot in the head three times for unknown reasons. Treasure is currently at a vet clinic undergoing rehab. She is expected to make a full recovery minus the use of one of her eyes.
Spurling plans on opening up a website for fans and potential adopters after her retirement. As of right now she said she is not taking in anymore strays due to space and financial reasons.
Spurling has no plans to expand due to economic reasons but does plan on maintaining the size and number of animals she has currently. One thing that will stay constant is the love she has for animals.
To learn more, contact Missy Spurling via Facebook or contact North Hills Animal Hospital at 501-835-3577.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Fifteen years ago Samson, a Yorkie, found a home in San Antonio, Texas. The home was that of Senior Master Sgt. Melissa Spurling. Seeing Samson, she fell in love. Samson was the first animal adopted by Spurling, driving her devotion and love for animals.
Living in San Antonio, she could not go anywhere without passing a stray cat or dog. She started taking in strays and giving them homes, thus establishing the foundation of The Spurling Animal shelter.
“Once I got Samson, who is 15 years old, I don’t know what it was, but I just knew I loved animals, that’s what started it all, it’s all Sam’s fault,” said Spurling.
There are currently 16 dogs and 35 cats all individually named, and being cared for by Spurling. When she first started rescuing animals, she would find them herself but after she made a name for herself people would call her about strays.
“When I started off, I would just find animals on my own, either on the side of the road or at a gas station… whereever there was an animal in need, I decided to pick it up,” said Spurling. “Once word got out, then people started calling me; they would find a dog and they would be like ‘what can you do with this dog,’” said Spurling.
When Spurling rescues an animal the first thing she does is take it to the vet to get checked out. Sometimes the animal may need immediate attention, because if it is sick it could be passed on to other animals.
“Once I rescue an animal, I take it to my vet for care; spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm test, and other tests,” said Spurling. “After they are healthy, I will bring them home.”
The main goal of the rescue is to give the animals a good life. When Spurling brings an animal home she is prepared to take care of that animal for the rest of its life. Adoption is a difficult process; not all homes are qualified to keep a pet. Potential adopters must fill out an application and references are called.
“I am extremely picky on potential homes,” she said. “I didn’t rescue them to be put back in another bad situation. My commitment extends for their entire lifetime. I do have an adoption application and I will call references and a vet before making any decisions. Not everyone deserves to have an animal. I say ‘no’ to homes more than I say ‘yes’.”
Spurlings most recent rescue was a rottweiler named Treasure. She was shot in the head three times for unknown reasons. Treasure is currently at a vet clinic undergoing rehab. She is expected to make a full recovery minus the use of one of her eyes.
Spurling plans on opening up a website for fans and potential adopters after her retirement. As of right now she said she is not taking in anymore strays due to space and financial reasons.
Spurling has no plans to expand due to economic reasons but does plan on maintaining the size and number of animals she has currently. One thing that will stay constant is the love she has for animals.
To learn more, contact Missy Spurling via Facebook or contact North Hills Animal Hospital at 501-835-3577.
TOP STORY >> CAF Social Pillar: TLR Rocks Arkansas Special Olympics
By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
The Harding University football stadium echoed with the above words as thousands of athletes and their supporters flocked to Searcy, Ark., to compete in the Arkansas Summer Special Olympics May 23 - 25.
Among the competitors was a three-person team from Little Rock Air Force Base coached by Master Sgt. Beth Jungk, a 19th Communications Squadron plans and programs manager.
Officially called “Team Herc” the crew is comprised of three dependents on base: Morgan Jungk, Beth’s daughter; Catherine Hayes, daughter of Catherine and Michael Hayes, and Cody Anderson, son of Philip and Kiley Anderson.
The athletes competed in a variety of contests during the three-day event, which kicked off with an opening ceremony May 23 in Harding University’s football stadium.
The opening ceremonies included a formal introduction of all the athletes, hailing from 16 different districts in Arkansas, the official lighting of the Special Olympics torch, flown in by helicopter after being run throughout the state by the law enforcement torch run and live music from a band. Also, approximately 400 motorcyclists from throughout Arkansas rode into and took a ceremonial lap around the stadium in honor of the athletes. Jungk said most of the athletes love the opening ceremonies because of the grandeur and pomp surrounding them.
“When they lit the torch, Cody leaned over to his brother and said ‘these are just like real Olympics’,” said Jungk. “It’s awesome to see how excited they get.”
Morgan, diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, kabuki syndrome and other ailments, competed in the tennis ball toss and 50 meter dash. Jungk said her inclusion in the running competition was special because it’s the first time Morgan ran in the Olympics.
“She’s had leg troubles her whole life, and this is the first year she’ll be competing in a run,” she said. “She’s had a lot of help getting ready for running at school, her teachers really helped a lot.”
Catherine, diagnosed with autism, competed in the softball toss and 100 meter dash, winning a bronze medal in the 100 meter dash and a silver in the softball toss.
Cody, diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome , competed in the softball toss and 100 meter dash, winning a bronze in the softball toss.
Morgan won a silver medal in the 50 meter dash.
Although each athlete competed hard to win their competitions, the spirit of the Special Olympics is inclusivity, hard work, courage and dedication and Jungk said she thinks the kids on her team show all of these traits by working together.
“It’s been great for Morgan, working with Cody and Catherine,” she said. “You can see how they help each other when they’re all together.”
Jungk said the team practices several times a week during the season, and although they’ll be taking a short break for summer, she looks forward to working with the kids to get ready for the next competition.
“These kids work so hard in practice to get ready for the games,” she said. “A lot of work goes into it.”
Jungk said her team, which competes in district 5, is open to more participants and encourages Team Little Rock parents with eligible children to join.
It’s a great way for disabled people to compete in a respectful and inclusive environment, she said. The games preach a message of tolerance and friendship among competitors, providing them an opportunity to demonstrate skill and capability despite suffering from intellectual or physical ailments.
Anyone interested in joining Team Herc can call Jungk at 615-5451. She said the team can also use volunteers to assist in training. The games are open to a wide variety of people of various disability types and levels.
“We can always use more help,” she said. “Volunteers, competitors, either way it’s something great to be involved in. We want to get the word out on base that we’d love to see more people out here.”
The games have a long list of sports available to compete in including, but not limited to, volleyball, power lifting, soccer, flag football, softball, floor hockey, golf, tennis, gymnastics and bowling. For a comprehensive list of sports open to competition or more information on the Special Olympics, visit http://www.specialolympicsarkansas.org/.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
The Harding University football stadium echoed with the above words as thousands of athletes and their supporters flocked to Searcy, Ark., to compete in the Arkansas Summer Special Olympics May 23 - 25.
Among the competitors was a three-person team from Little Rock Air Force Base coached by Master Sgt. Beth Jungk, a 19th Communications Squadron plans and programs manager.
Officially called “Team Herc” the crew is comprised of three dependents on base: Morgan Jungk, Beth’s daughter; Catherine Hayes, daughter of Catherine and Michael Hayes, and Cody Anderson, son of Philip and Kiley Anderson.
The athletes competed in a variety of contests during the three-day event, which kicked off with an opening ceremony May 23 in Harding University’s football stadium.
The opening ceremonies included a formal introduction of all the athletes, hailing from 16 different districts in Arkansas, the official lighting of the Special Olympics torch, flown in by helicopter after being run throughout the state by the law enforcement torch run and live music from a band. Also, approximately 400 motorcyclists from throughout Arkansas rode into and took a ceremonial lap around the stadium in honor of the athletes. Jungk said most of the athletes love the opening ceremonies because of the grandeur and pomp surrounding them.
“When they lit the torch, Cody leaned over to his brother and said ‘these are just like real Olympics’,” said Jungk. “It’s awesome to see how excited they get.”
Morgan, diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, kabuki syndrome and other ailments, competed in the tennis ball toss and 50 meter dash. Jungk said her inclusion in the running competition was special because it’s the first time Morgan ran in the Olympics.
“She’s had leg troubles her whole life, and this is the first year she’ll be competing in a run,” she said. “She’s had a lot of help getting ready for running at school, her teachers really helped a lot.”
Catherine, diagnosed with autism, competed in the softball toss and 100 meter dash, winning a bronze medal in the 100 meter dash and a silver in the softball toss.
Cody, diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome , competed in the softball toss and 100 meter dash, winning a bronze in the softball toss.
Morgan won a silver medal in the 50 meter dash.
Although each athlete competed hard to win their competitions, the spirit of the Special Olympics is inclusivity, hard work, courage and dedication and Jungk said she thinks the kids on her team show all of these traits by working together.
“It’s been great for Morgan, working with Cody and Catherine,” she said. “You can see how they help each other when they’re all together.”
Jungk said the team practices several times a week during the season, and although they’ll be taking a short break for summer, she looks forward to working with the kids to get ready for the next competition.
“These kids work so hard in practice to get ready for the games,” she said. “A lot of work goes into it.”
Jungk said her team, which competes in district 5, is open to more participants and encourages Team Little Rock parents with eligible children to join.
It’s a great way for disabled people to compete in a respectful and inclusive environment, she said. The games preach a message of tolerance and friendship among competitors, providing them an opportunity to demonstrate skill and capability despite suffering from intellectual or physical ailments.
Anyone interested in joining Team Herc can call Jungk at 615-5451. She said the team can also use volunteers to assist in training. The games are open to a wide variety of people of various disability types and levels.
“We can always use more help,” she said. “Volunteers, competitors, either way it’s something great to be involved in. We want to get the word out on base that we’d love to see more people out here.”
The games have a long list of sports available to compete in including, but not limited to, volleyball, power lifting, soccer, flag football, softball, floor hockey, golf, tennis, gymnastics and bowling. For a comprehensive list of sports open to competition or more information on the Special Olympics, visit http://www.specialolympicsarkansas.org/.
COMMENTARY >> Integrity first: Difference between the 99 percent and the 1 percent
By Lt. Col. Pat Dabrowski
314th Operations Group deputy commander
We are all familiar with many of the recent negative actions of the few Airmen and service members whose moral compasses were not guided by our Core Values and who are consequently no longer serving their country in the military. Both the Air Force and the entire Department of Defense have been impacted by their wayward actions. Yet the remaining 99 percent of Airmen maintain the principles of General Douglas McArthur’s famous closing words from his farewell address to the cadets of West Point: “duty, honor, country.” Two of those words still endure in the U.S. Army’s seven current core values: duty and honor. As Airmen, it is our duty to maintain our Core Values; our “moral compass”; our “keen sense of right and wrong.”
The Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do have become the pillars of our service, whether we learned them in basic training, read them at the bottom of every PowerPoint slide sent from Headquarters Air Force, or repeatedly spot them on a poster in our unit’s hallway. The understanding of these values is so fundamental to how we conduct ourselves as professional Airmen that the Air Force took the effort to further define them in an Air Force Instruction: AFI 1-1 “Air Force Standards.” According to former Secretary of the Air Force, Sheila Widnall (1993-1997), the “Core values make the military what it is; without them, we cannot succeed. They are the values that instill confidence, earn lasting respect, and create willing followers. They are the values that anchor resolve in the most difficult situations. They are the values that buttress mental and physical courage when we enter combat. In essence, they are the three pillars of professionalism that provide the foundation for military leadership at every level.”
If I think back far enough, I still remember as a young Airman standing before a group of Senior Non-Commissioned Officers as a candidate for the wing’s Airman of the Quarter board. One of the board’s interview questions was to list the Air Force Core Values and explain which was the most important and why. In a world where seemingly few things are black and white, I thought it obvious that if there was a greater among equals then Integrity First was clearly the correct answer. Somehow I stumbled my way through explaining to the board that in my view Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do can be arguably somewhat subjective and situationally dependent. But to me, Integrity is an absolute. In listing the Core Values it is designated as “First” and the principal value named. Former Vice Presidential candidate, Vietnam War Veteran, and Hanoi Hilton Prisoner of War Admiral James B. Stockdale described the power of refusing any compromise in integrity when he stated that “In 1965, I was crippled and I was all alone (in a North Vietnamese prison). I realized that they had all the power. I couldn’t see how I was ever going to get out with my honor and self-respect. The one thing I came to realize was that if you don’t lose your integrity you can’t be had and you can’t be hurt. Compromises multiply and build up when you’re working against a skilled extortionist or manipulator. You can’t be had if you don’t take that first shortcut, or ‘meet them halfway,’ as they say, or look for that tacit deal, or make that first compromise.” As AFI 1-1 explains the characteristic, it is “the willingness to do what is right even when no one is looking.” It is “the basis for trust” and many would agree that it is difficult to “sort of” trust someone; either we have faith in them or we don’t. We ourselves are either trusted or we’re not. Either our actions are right or they fall short. We either have integrity or we don’t. And any violation of that flawless standard can result in others questioning our reliability and should lead to our own self-reflection of our actions.
Freshman cadets at the United States Air Force Academy are issued a pocket-sized handbook of general USAF history and knowledge. Contained within is a vivid quote by British General S.L.A. Marshall that has been memorized by future officers for decades, which gives practical application to the term Integrity. Marshall stated that “a man has integrity if his interest in the good of the service is at all times greater than his personal pride, and when he holds himself to the same line of duty when unobserved as he would follow if his superiors were present.” As with any good quote, this one stands on its own words and clearly articulates the unconditional behavior that sets what we’ve been called to do as professional Airmen, apart from labeling what we’ve been called to as just a job or an occupation. At times, however, overshadowing the personification of the Core Values by the 99 percent of adherents is the 1 percent whose actions show that they have failed to internalize the concepts. And most commanders and supervisors will say that it’s the 1 percent that take up a larger portion of their time than they should.
Comedian Groucho Marx was once quoted as saying that “the secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.” Everyone knows that doing the right thing won’t always be easy. We can all think back to times when being the voice of integrity resulted in internal strife or alienated us from our peers as we followed our “moral compass” in the pursuit of what we knew to be right. In some instances the issue was a small one and at other times it may have been life-changing.
One individual from deep in our pre-USAF history who stood for what he knew to be right was Brigadier General Billy Mitchell in his aggressive advocacy of airpower for future wars. Following his experiences in World War I, Mitchell was eventually court-martialed and forced to resign from the Army for his insubordination while trying to do what he knew to be right, to campaign the War Department for the increased investment in airpower. His battle cry for the need for military airpower in the 1920s generated government and civilian action that was a catalyst for the development of combat aviation that we’re all part of today. The moniker that many attach to Billy Mitchell is that of a maverick, but his outspokenness aside, one person’s maverick may not be far from another person’s “Airman, fueled by innovation” doing what they know to be right. Many of General Mitchell’s peers advised him against his dissident and unconventional views. But think of where we as an Air Force might be today if not for the integrity of one man to champion a radical idea against a sea of traditionalists. While many of us will not be called on to defend our integrity in a congressional committee, in today’s fiscally constrained environment we must ensure all Airmen are innovatively doing the right thing for the right reason while still being willing to take calculated, bold risks to lead us to success. While outright insubordination toward our supervisors and commanders will most likely not achieve the goal we are advocating (Mitchell’s situation was arguably a one-time “good deal”) we must all be willing to put our Integrity First to do what we know to be the right thing.
Despite some of the distressing headlines on the cover of Air Force Times as a result of the actions of the 1 percent, the 99 percent continue to demonstrate, preserve, and propagate the Air Force Core Values. To survive as a service, the Air Force must take some valuable and actionable lessons from the transgressions of the 1 percent: those who do not practice mutual respect, professionalism and trust. The 99 percent must move forward with discipline on our quest to become “The World’s Greatest Air Force powered by Airmen, fueled by innovation” and built on the unwavering foundation of our Air Force Core Values of Service and Excellence, led by Integrity. In deference to Benjamin Franklin’s famous quip that “honesty is the best policy” General Robert E. Lee countered that “the trite saying that honesty is the best policy has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.” With or without AFI 1-1 enlightening us to the Air Force Core Values, we are blessed as a service that the 99 percent already get it.
314th Operations Group deputy commander
We are all familiar with many of the recent negative actions of the few Airmen and service members whose moral compasses were not guided by our Core Values and who are consequently no longer serving their country in the military. Both the Air Force and the entire Department of Defense have been impacted by their wayward actions. Yet the remaining 99 percent of Airmen maintain the principles of General Douglas McArthur’s famous closing words from his farewell address to the cadets of West Point: “duty, honor, country.” Two of those words still endure in the U.S. Army’s seven current core values: duty and honor. As Airmen, it is our duty to maintain our Core Values; our “moral compass”; our “keen sense of right and wrong.”
The Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do have become the pillars of our service, whether we learned them in basic training, read them at the bottom of every PowerPoint slide sent from Headquarters Air Force, or repeatedly spot them on a poster in our unit’s hallway. The understanding of these values is so fundamental to how we conduct ourselves as professional Airmen that the Air Force took the effort to further define them in an Air Force Instruction: AFI 1-1 “Air Force Standards.” According to former Secretary of the Air Force, Sheila Widnall (1993-1997), the “Core values make the military what it is; without them, we cannot succeed. They are the values that instill confidence, earn lasting respect, and create willing followers. They are the values that anchor resolve in the most difficult situations. They are the values that buttress mental and physical courage when we enter combat. In essence, they are the three pillars of professionalism that provide the foundation for military leadership at every level.”
If I think back far enough, I still remember as a young Airman standing before a group of Senior Non-Commissioned Officers as a candidate for the wing’s Airman of the Quarter board. One of the board’s interview questions was to list the Air Force Core Values and explain which was the most important and why. In a world where seemingly few things are black and white, I thought it obvious that if there was a greater among equals then Integrity First was clearly the correct answer. Somehow I stumbled my way through explaining to the board that in my view Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do can be arguably somewhat subjective and situationally dependent. But to me, Integrity is an absolute. In listing the Core Values it is designated as “First” and the principal value named. Former Vice Presidential candidate, Vietnam War Veteran, and Hanoi Hilton Prisoner of War Admiral James B. Stockdale described the power of refusing any compromise in integrity when he stated that “In 1965, I was crippled and I was all alone (in a North Vietnamese prison). I realized that they had all the power. I couldn’t see how I was ever going to get out with my honor and self-respect. The one thing I came to realize was that if you don’t lose your integrity you can’t be had and you can’t be hurt. Compromises multiply and build up when you’re working against a skilled extortionist or manipulator. You can’t be had if you don’t take that first shortcut, or ‘meet them halfway,’ as they say, or look for that tacit deal, or make that first compromise.” As AFI 1-1 explains the characteristic, it is “the willingness to do what is right even when no one is looking.” It is “the basis for trust” and many would agree that it is difficult to “sort of” trust someone; either we have faith in them or we don’t. We ourselves are either trusted or we’re not. Either our actions are right or they fall short. We either have integrity or we don’t. And any violation of that flawless standard can result in others questioning our reliability and should lead to our own self-reflection of our actions.
Freshman cadets at the United States Air Force Academy are issued a pocket-sized handbook of general USAF history and knowledge. Contained within is a vivid quote by British General S.L.A. Marshall that has been memorized by future officers for decades, which gives practical application to the term Integrity. Marshall stated that “a man has integrity if his interest in the good of the service is at all times greater than his personal pride, and when he holds himself to the same line of duty when unobserved as he would follow if his superiors were present.” As with any good quote, this one stands on its own words and clearly articulates the unconditional behavior that sets what we’ve been called to do as professional Airmen, apart from labeling what we’ve been called to as just a job or an occupation. At times, however, overshadowing the personification of the Core Values by the 99 percent of adherents is the 1 percent whose actions show that they have failed to internalize the concepts. And most commanders and supervisors will say that it’s the 1 percent that take up a larger portion of their time than they should.
Comedian Groucho Marx was once quoted as saying that “the secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.” Everyone knows that doing the right thing won’t always be easy. We can all think back to times when being the voice of integrity resulted in internal strife or alienated us from our peers as we followed our “moral compass” in the pursuit of what we knew to be right. In some instances the issue was a small one and at other times it may have been life-changing.
One individual from deep in our pre-USAF history who stood for what he knew to be right was Brigadier General Billy Mitchell in his aggressive advocacy of airpower for future wars. Following his experiences in World War I, Mitchell was eventually court-martialed and forced to resign from the Army for his insubordination while trying to do what he knew to be right, to campaign the War Department for the increased investment in airpower. His battle cry for the need for military airpower in the 1920s generated government and civilian action that was a catalyst for the development of combat aviation that we’re all part of today. The moniker that many attach to Billy Mitchell is that of a maverick, but his outspokenness aside, one person’s maverick may not be far from another person’s “Airman, fueled by innovation” doing what they know to be right. Many of General Mitchell’s peers advised him against his dissident and unconventional views. But think of where we as an Air Force might be today if not for the integrity of one man to champion a radical idea against a sea of traditionalists. While many of us will not be called on to defend our integrity in a congressional committee, in today’s fiscally constrained environment we must ensure all Airmen are innovatively doing the right thing for the right reason while still being willing to take calculated, bold risks to lead us to success. While outright insubordination toward our supervisors and commanders will most likely not achieve the goal we are advocating (Mitchell’s situation was arguably a one-time “good deal”) we must all be willing to put our Integrity First to do what we know to be the right thing.
Despite some of the distressing headlines on the cover of Air Force Times as a result of the actions of the 1 percent, the 99 percent continue to demonstrate, preserve, and propagate the Air Force Core Values. To survive as a service, the Air Force must take some valuable and actionable lessons from the transgressions of the 1 percent: those who do not practice mutual respect, professionalism and trust. The 99 percent must move forward with discipline on our quest to become “The World’s Greatest Air Force powered by Airmen, fueled by innovation” and built on the unwavering foundation of our Air Force Core Values of Service and Excellence, led by Integrity. In deference to Benjamin Franklin’s famous quip that “honesty is the best policy” General Robert E. Lee countered that “the trite saying that honesty is the best policy has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.” With or without AFI 1-1 enlightening us to the Air Force Core Values, we are blessed as a service that the 99 percent already get it.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
COMMENTARY>>How do we balance it all?
By Col. James Hodges
6th Mission Support Group commander
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – I was speaking to a group of company grade officers recently and one of them asked, “How do you balance it all?”
He knew that I had a very busy job with a lot of demands on my time. He also knew that I had a family and, quite possibly, some personal interests as well. How do I balance it all? The answer is that I have to be deliberate to make sure I fit it all in.
The best way of framing how to be deliberate, balance the demands of life and have fun while in the Air Force is the concept of Comprehensive Airman Fitness.
Comprehensive Airman Fitness encompasses all aspects of life and is described by its four pillars: mental, physical, social and spiritual. Ensuring I take care of the various aspects of life helps me keep it all in balance.
I am a civil engineer, so construction and architecture appeal to me. I like the imagery of a classic and beautiful Greek architectural structure being supported by four pillars. The pillars supporting the structure must be strong and balanced. If one pillar is not balanced or not strong enough, then the structure suffers. The other pillars have to carry the extra load.
However, the ingenuity of having multiple pillars is that they spread the load of the building across the columns and, when they are used together, are much stronger as a whole than they are individually.
Another engineering benefit of having multiple pillars is that if one is weakened, the others can help carry the extra load until the weak pillar can be repaired and re-strengthened.
The four pillars of one’s own Comprehensive Airman Fitness are analogous to the Greek structure, in that when strong and in balance they can carry incredible loads. Even when some areas are suffering, the others can help carry the burden until the weak areas are strengthened.
When explaining to the company grade officers how I apply this in my life, I used my typical weekly life rhythm to illustrate. Sundays are critical for my life balance and serve as my best example of integrating all the pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness. I typically start my week on Sunday with a restful sleep-in to refresh my physical pillar and charge up for the coming week.
I have moments of quietness and relaxation by sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee while enjoying the beautiful nature of Florida. Those activities help take some stress off of my mental pillar.
I also take a walk with my wife and dog along the bay to invigorate each of the pillars. I attend church with my family and see friends there to strengthen my spiritual and social pillars.
I usually work out or do physical activities with my kids, and that address all of the pillars as well. You can see that Sundays are critical for me and in my typical life rhythm they ensure I keep all of my life’s pillars strong so that I can withstand whatever challenges the events of the coming week throw at me.
When sprinting through the workweek, I also strive to stay in balance. I make time for fitness to start off my day before work, at least three times a week. Whether I run along Bayshore Boulevard, workout in my home gym or PT with hundreds of my favorite 6th Maintenance Group Airmen, starting my day with a fitness activity strengthens my physical pillar as well as relieving stress to invigorate my mental pillar. When I PT with my 6th MSG Airmen, it also strengthens my social pillar and lifts my spirits.
I work hard during the day and try to make each minute count. My work always stimulates my intellect and, like working out, makes me more fit. A good day full of challenges strengthens my mental pillar.
I gain a lot of strength for my social pillar by working to accomplish our missions alongside our great Airmen, civilian and contractor teammates. However, when I get home, I’m tired. Spending some time with my family, helping with homework, taking the dog for a walk along the bay and making sure I get a good night of sleep all recharge me across the board.
Finally, Saturday is a welcome day to end the week to rest, recuperate, spend time with friends and family, enjoy personal interests and serve the community in other ways.
At the end of this typical week, I find I’ve addressed all aspects of Comprehensive Airman Fitness, taken care of myself and my family and reinvigorated my “house” by making sure all the pillars are balanced and strong.
6th Mission Support Group commander
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – I was speaking to a group of company grade officers recently and one of them asked, “How do you balance it all?”
He knew that I had a very busy job with a lot of demands on my time. He also knew that I had a family and, quite possibly, some personal interests as well. How do I balance it all? The answer is that I have to be deliberate to make sure I fit it all in.
The best way of framing how to be deliberate, balance the demands of life and have fun while in the Air Force is the concept of Comprehensive Airman Fitness.
Comprehensive Airman Fitness encompasses all aspects of life and is described by its four pillars: mental, physical, social and spiritual. Ensuring I take care of the various aspects of life helps me keep it all in balance.
I am a civil engineer, so construction and architecture appeal to me. I like the imagery of a classic and beautiful Greek architectural structure being supported by four pillars. The pillars supporting the structure must be strong and balanced. If one pillar is not balanced or not strong enough, then the structure suffers. The other pillars have to carry the extra load.
However, the ingenuity of having multiple pillars is that they spread the load of the building across the columns and, when they are used together, are much stronger as a whole than they are individually.
Another engineering benefit of having multiple pillars is that if one is weakened, the others can help carry the extra load until the weak pillar can be repaired and re-strengthened.
The four pillars of one’s own Comprehensive Airman Fitness are analogous to the Greek structure, in that when strong and in balance they can carry incredible loads. Even when some areas are suffering, the others can help carry the burden until the weak areas are strengthened.
When explaining to the company grade officers how I apply this in my life, I used my typical weekly life rhythm to illustrate. Sundays are critical for my life balance and serve as my best example of integrating all the pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness. I typically start my week on Sunday with a restful sleep-in to refresh my physical pillar and charge up for the coming week.
I have moments of quietness and relaxation by sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee while enjoying the beautiful nature of Florida. Those activities help take some stress off of my mental pillar.
I also take a walk with my wife and dog along the bay to invigorate each of the pillars. I attend church with my family and see friends there to strengthen my spiritual and social pillars.
I usually work out or do physical activities with my kids, and that address all of the pillars as well. You can see that Sundays are critical for me and in my typical life rhythm they ensure I keep all of my life’s pillars strong so that I can withstand whatever challenges the events of the coming week throw at me.
When sprinting through the workweek, I also strive to stay in balance. I make time for fitness to start off my day before work, at least three times a week. Whether I run along Bayshore Boulevard, workout in my home gym or PT with hundreds of my favorite 6th Maintenance Group Airmen, starting my day with a fitness activity strengthens my physical pillar as well as relieving stress to invigorate my mental pillar. When I PT with my 6th MSG Airmen, it also strengthens my social pillar and lifts my spirits.
I work hard during the day and try to make each minute count. My work always stimulates my intellect and, like working out, makes me more fit. A good day full of challenges strengthens my mental pillar.
I gain a lot of strength for my social pillar by working to accomplish our missions alongside our great Airmen, civilian and contractor teammates. However, when I get home, I’m tired. Spending some time with my family, helping with homework, taking the dog for a walk along the bay and making sure I get a good night of sleep all recharge me across the board.
Finally, Saturday is a welcome day to end the week to rest, recuperate, spend time with friends and family, enjoy personal interests and serve the community in other ways.
At the end of this typical week, I find I’ve addressed all aspects of Comprehensive Airman Fitness, taken care of myself and my family and reinvigorated my “house” by making sure all the pillars are balanced and strong.
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