Thank you Showcase Wing for tuning in for my recent commander’s call! I’ve got a few thoughts I want to follow up with you below if you would please take a few moments to digest.
AF Connect App: I encourage everyone to download the Air Force Connect App, which is a great platform to find information about the base as well as submit questions to me. This is in addition to contacting me through the Action Line where you can call [256-5400] or email [375AMW-Action.Line@us.af.mil] your question or concern.
What is our “why?” One of the main messages Chief Frizzell and I want to emphasize with you is to understand the “why” of what we do at Scott AFB.
To borrow from author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek, we all can identify what we do on a daily basis, and most of us may know the intricate details of how we do what we do—the process, the improvements, etc. However, do you ever wonder why we do what we do? You may have some ideas of your own, and I’d like to share “our why” for this wing:
- Elevating Others ... with strength and hope through multiple domains in support of national objectives.
It doesn’t matter if we’re medical, comm, ops, or support … we all need to come together to elevate each other. Our patients, our customers, our senior leaders, our co-workers and our families. Our missions are task-oriented to complete a specific objective—maybe to fill a cavity, defend the network or care for someone’s child. This is important work and every action, large or small, should be done with the purpose of elevating others.
Updated Commander’s Sight Picture: I've asked my team to become more laser focused given the constraints of today’s environment, so you will see some slight changes in my Sight Picture. We’re still focused primarily on our four mission areas, while underscoring the fact that as part of these efforts we are inherently providing excellent customer service and remaining fully engaged with our community partners.
- Airman Growth & Development: We need to keep leveraging our teams to take care of our Airmen and development them professionally and personally. I’ve seen an increase in the amount of professional development courses being offered, both at the wing and unit levels. There’s absolutely no reason why anyone should compromise their personal or professional development during the COVID pandemic. Yes, some TDYs may have been cancelled and there is certainly some Zoom fatigue out there, but I've seen this wing create some amazing opportunities for mentoring and growth. Keep up the great work so that we can continue to develop a professional force.
- Battle Ready for the Fight Tonight: When we’re tapped on the shoulder, we’ve got to be ready to go. You’ve already demonstrated that with your “can do” attitudes and quick responses to our recent flash flooding and operating in the COVID environment. You’ve shown that we can do our mission no matter what challenges life throws at us. To ensure we stay battle ready, we must own our training and readiness. Our nation relies on each of us to do our job and maintain the world’s greatest Air Force.
- Caring for Self, Family & Others: I know there are a lot of stressors on us—from school and health concerns to managing all the disruptions that have come into our lives this year. You are not alone and help can be found in many places. I want to you, the caregiver, to also make managing your mental, physical, social and spiritual well-being a priority. Be sure to take the time you need to rest and recover. Take the time to tune out the noise of the world, read a new book, enjoy a favorite sport or hobby or just take a walk. It’s usually the simple things we do that rejuvenate ourselves, and most importantly, “have fun” as our new chief of staff charges us to do.
- Driving a culture of innovation: We’ve invested a lot of time and effort in developing a culture of innovation. Now we need to keep “driving” it. We’ve identified innovation POCs within your units who will be trained and invested to incubate your ideas. They will work with our Innovation Hub, Elev-8 Scott, to bring your ideas to reality and improvements to your daily work. In order to continue innovating, we need to be bold, take risks and be comfortable with failure—learn to adapt and overcome. That’s the real spirit of innovation.
Diversity and Inclusion: I want you to know that we are in tune with what’s happening with social unrest in our country, and I’m very proud of how you’ve responded. Our Diversity and Inclusion working group is strong and vibrant, with many voices and perspectives, willing to jump in and tackle some of the toughest conversations we want to have with each other. Additionally, they will continue to provide multiple forums, venues and events that are ideal for listening, learning and building a better culture where mutual respect is the norm and value we believe in here at Scott AFB.
Human Connections: We understand the need for human connection is important and many are missing out on the comradery and connection they’ve come to know in the military. I ask that we continue to find ways to reach out and connect with each other during this time of social distancing. Along with staying in touch for daily work, please continue to ask others “how are you doing?” That may be the most important question of the day.
Thank you! Thank you for all that you are doing and have done to date. It's been an interesting year to say the least, but together we will continue to work, and laugh, and chart our way through it. There’s opportunity all around…we just need to be observant and look around. Let’s stay connected. Let’s stay resilient. And let’s stay laser focused on the things that matter most—elevating each other!