COMMENTARY>>Fight the right fight

By Col. Mark G. Czelusta
314th Airlift Wing, commander

In the 314th Airlift Wing, we guide ourselves by five key leadership themes: Mission, Standards, Partnerships, Innovation and Focus. While I previously discussed these themes in this column, the time is right to reexamine some of them. Today, Theme number five stands foremost in my mind: Focus.

In the 314th, indeed across all of Team Little Rock, it’s important to remember to focus on what matters—fight the right fight. Specifically, we all need to remember that it is always about our mission, our Airmen and our future. And toward these priorities, we must be deliberate and clearheaded in the development of all three.

These are stressful times in our Air Force. With conclusion of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and NEW DAWN, a significant component of our operations for the last ten years is now absent. Some—probably most—of you know nothing else.

Accompanying this absence are budget reductions, force shaping actions, unit closures, and a myriad of other significant shifts. Here at The Rock, we saw the loss of dozens of civilian and military positions, and some of our friends and teammates have been asked to pursue other career opportunities. There are going to be some airframe changes. With the slightly reduced deployment demand, addition of new Total Force units, and simultaneous reductions in infrastructure, our facilities, flightline and airspace are more cramped.

These stressors are real. But I can assure you that we have been through this before. These times remind me of the period after DESERT STORM, during which we cut significant portions of the Air Force, while simultaneously exceeding our nation’s expectations in places like Somalia, Rwanda, the Balkans, Haiti, among others. We survived, indeed thrived; by remaining steadfastly focused on the three priorities mentioned above…we’ll do it again. So what is your role?

First, keep an eye on the local and expeditionary mission. Continue to be the best you can be in your primary duty. Don’t just meet standards, work to exceed them. Know and do your duty in all things. We live and work in a unique environment of trust and integrity, and don’t ever compromise that environment. Remember this: reputations are earned when people are watching; character is reinforced when people are not. When you are an Airman of Character, the right reputation will follow.

Second, look out for yourself and fellow Airmen. Be a good wingman. Another unique aspect of our military service is that we don’t live with much privacy. And while this aspect can be frustrating, it is also reassuring. We are not alone and must look out for one another. But caring is more than just offering a thoughtful ear and a strong hand. Develop and grow yourself through the multiple personal and professional opportunities that will continue to be available even in these tough fiscal times. If you’re a supervisor, ensure that the folks in your charge do the same. Mentor all, and look for opportunities to grow each individual in accordance with their capabilities.

And this leads directly to our third priority: our future. In times like these, it’s easy to focus on what is being reduced, but we must also take action on opportunities to improve. Leadership at all levels is hungry for your thoughts. Share them in a productive and optimistic manner. Assume goodness in your subordinates, peers and leaders; assume that they have our back. Work together, even outside of your primary areas of expertise, toward making the entire enterprise more effective. Continue to be open to new ideas, even if they come from folks who are younger or outside your career field.

Finally, as we focus on these three priorities, set aside those things that matter less. In spite of the challenges that we will certainly face, we still have the best Air Force in the world. And the adventure will absolutely continue.

Before you decide to be a rebel in areas such as personal and professional conduct, substance abuse, financial responsibility, uniform wear, or any of the other low level distracters that may arise, ask yourself if potential loss of this adventure is worth the short lived thrill of “coloring outside the lines.” Does being a rebel in these areas really contribute to our mission, our Airmen or our future? In many cases, it does not. Therefore, we need to press on and comply. Fight the right fight!