Accountability at every level Published July 16, 2008 By Maj Robert Rossi 375th Security Forces Squadron SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Accountability. What does it mean to you? Generally accountability means being answerable for something. Recent events, including a visit by the Secretary of Defense, focused attention on accountability at the highest levels of Air Force leadership. The Secretary's message was clear: leadership at every level, including the very top, must be accountable for mission success. Accountability means being responsible and being responsible for making things happen the right way. Instead of "being held accountable" after the fact, consider how being accountable and responsible can prevent a negative event from happening in the first place. Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley recently charged all Airmen to commit themselves to individual and organizational accountability. Certainly, accountability extends to the top and spans every level of leadership, but ultimately, it starts with every one of us. It starts with and depends on each individual's commitment to both doing the right things and doing things right. Doing the Right Things. Doing the right things starts with evaluating and understanding how individual tasks contribute to the organization's mission. It is the responsibility of leaders, at every level, to ensure that resources, effort and priorities are focused on mission success. This is not always an easy task, especially when priorities are many and resources are limited. Training, knowledge and experience guide us in knowing the right things to do, especially in areas not specifically covered by instruction or policy guidance. If you are deficient in one, or any of these areas, seek out ways to improve. Make an individual commitment to focus on accomplishing of your organization's mission priorities. Start by learning what they are and understanding your role in supporting them. Doing Things Right. Our Air Force core values of integrity and excellence commit us to doing things right, every time, especially when no one is watching. Why? Because our fellow Airmen and our nation depend on it. Think about how doing things right might apply within your area of responsibility. It's in doing things right that the little things can matter most. Commit yourself to learning more about each of the tasks you accomplish regularly and share that knowledge with others. Self-inspection programs are one way we ensure things are done right but alone are not a guarantee of excellence or even success. Every individual involved in a process must commit to accomplishing their portion correctly. Consider how the things you do contribute to your organization's mission. Ultimately, it is the series of tasks done right that ensures mission success. However, doing things right is not enough to produce success if we are not doing the right things. Successfully completing every item of a checklist produces little if we've run the wrong checklist. Mission accomplishment comes from doing the right things and doing them right, every time. Make a commitment to doing both. In the end, accountability starts with every one of us.