Training, empowerment, communication essential Published July 18, 2014 By Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Simpson 60th Civil Engineer Squadron TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Many service members may believe these are the most challenging times within the United States Air Force. Sequestration has strained our ability to accomplish our home-station requirements. These budgetary constraints determine how our senior leaders prioritize mission objectives, implementation and execution. I believe that, as a member of the world's greatest Air Force, we now have an incredible opportunity, a chance to take a look at how we accomplish our duties toward mission objectives and an opportunity to improve processes within our work-centers, throughout the installation and across the Air Force. Despite budgetary hindrances, we can continue to promote and sustain a professional environment in which our Airmen serve and desire to be a part. To accomplish this, we must ensure our Airmen receive appropriate training and are fully empowered to accomplish their duties in support of the wing mission. Good communication also is a key attribute to the success of an organization, throughout a functional community and across the Air Force. Living the Air Force core values of "Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do" provides the proper foundation to build and sustain this culture. Leaders attempt to create an environment where sufficient intent has been given concerning a unit's mission, goals and training so that team members can be responsible for their work and fully support the wing mission. For the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, our basic mission is to construct and maintain infrastructure for Travis Air Force Base, thus enabling the three wings to continue to dominate the "global reach" spectrum in the Air Force and across the globe. Under the current economic situation our country is forced to face, one aspect or objective provided to our engineers is to expend taxpayer dollars appropriately. The professionals within our squadron are striving to identify better ways to accomplish the mission and as a result save taxpayer dollars. Proper training and full Airmen empowerment are the key attributes needed in order to accomplish assigned duties that support mission objectives. Throughout the Air Force, we meet high standards by promoting, high quality work and ethics on a daily basis, one team, one fight. Therefore, along with proper training and empowerment goes the attribute of good communication. Communication cannot be realized unless we are a team of professionals freely sharing thoughts and ideas on how to best meet mission mission objectives. Communication must be effective because it is significant for leaders in an organization so as to perform the basic functions of management, i.e., planning, organizing and leading. Effective communication helps managers perform their jobs and responsibilities. It serves as a foundation of planning. All essential information must be communicated to leaders who, in turn, must communicate the plans so as to implement them. Organizing also requires effective communication with others about their job tasks. Similarly, leaders and managers must communicate effectively with subordinates so as to achieve the team's goals. Leaders and managers devote a great part of their time in communication, approximately six hours per day. They spend a lot time on face-to-face or telephonic communications with their superiors, subordinates, colleagues, customers or suppliers. Mission success lies in the hands of every Airman, military and civilian. In order to execute the mission, I believe proper training, empowerment and effective communication have to occur. These attributes are the building blocks of all successful organizations. As leaders, it's our duty to foster these three attributes with Airmen within our units, throughout our functional community and across the globe in order to execute our Air Force mission.