TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. —
Teammates, Working for the Division of Protection, whether or not uniformed, or civilian, brings a shared bond and camaraderie. After we lose a teammate, the affect is critical. Any loss, irrespective of the trigger, is a tragedy.
Our persons are our best useful resource. The DoD has some unbelievable applied sciences, from the fifth-generation fighters, lengthy vary supersonic bombers, unmanned aerial drones, to 3D manufactured components and every little thing in between. There’s a widespread thread to all that tech – individuals. Our nice Airmen and Sailors produce, maintain and assist all of it.
We’re mission-focused by nature. It’s what we do, why we practice, why we serve. Psychological well being is essential to our means to remain mission centered in addition to the protection of all. I would argue that it’s some of the vital elements referring to readiness.
Connectedness is a key to a resilient power. Personally, I perceive the significance of connectedness…and what occurs when it fades. After I was a squadron commander, I had a really robust time balancing a new child, a big upkeep squadron, and a demanding deployment schedule all whereas retiring a portion of our fighter fleet. It was tough. Then my husband PCS’d to a different state and I rapidly realized I wanted assist. My sense of connectedness started to slide by way of my fingers, and I used to be permitting competing must crush me. I sought out the bottom Army & Household Life Counseling Providers (MFLC) and arrange recurring conferences. I needed to attain out for assist to make sure I stayed grounded and made good selections. I used to be terrified that I’d make dangerous selections on days once I felt so alone. The MFLC was instrumental in serving to me regain my power at a time I felt so empty. So, it issues, and I get it. Attain out for assist. Ask others to attach. Construct your self a assist community—you will have it if you least count on it.
We’re dedicated to fostering a tradition that values and encourages help-seeking habits and enhances particular person confidence, information, and talent in accessing applicable serving to sources. We’ve an enormous variety of sources accessible: psychological well being counselors, chaplains, and army household readiness professionals stand prepared to assist. The Built-in Prevention & Resilience Workplace is a superb useful resource for people and items. Our AF Join cellular app has a “Serving to Companies” function that features each on and off base serving to company data. There may be additionally a Management Toolbox on our AF Join app to help leaders in any respect ranges.
It’s crucial that anybody in want seeks assist; in search of the assist you want is an indication of power. We should overcome the stigma that it will harm a profession or that you just may be thought-about weak. Keep linked together with your friends and management. Face-to-face communication is one of the best ways to nurture relationships, which is essential in instances of want.
To cite Rear Adm. (Ret.) Grace Hopper, “Management is a two-way road, loyalty up and loyalty down. Respect for one’s superiors; take care of one’s crew.”
I absolutely count on leaders in any respect ranges to foster a tradition of respect and care. Connectedness is a protecting issue – join together with your crew, not solely as a pacesetter however as a Wingman. We’re stronger collectively.
The nation asks loads of us, and also you fulfill that request each day. You do it with honor and the character that’s inherent to the uniform you put on, it doesn’t matter what that uniform seems to be like. We’re a really small proportion of the inhabitants and are entrusted with the duty of guaranteeing America’s freedoms and lifestyle usually are not misplaced. We’re all essential to our nationwide protection.
I’ll serve you and I’ll observe you to the perfect of my means. We owe ourselves and our teammates a local weather the place we will thrive and be our greatest self. We’ve a shared duty in looking for one another and fulfilling our nation’s necessities.
One crew, one struggle – Workforce Tinker.
NOTE: Lots of you could have seen or heard experiences within the information just lately relating to deaths of Tinker personnel. Whereas any loss is a tragedy and impacts household, mates and coworkers, the vast majority of loss has been pure causes. Because the Set up Commander, I really feel it is very important write this editorial to share my ideas, guarantee you understand the sources accessible to you and most significantly let you understand that your management cares.
