Choosing optimism in face of force management

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sergeant John G. Evalle
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Happy 2014. Unless you've been away from your computer for the past several weeks, you know this year will be very challenging for the Air Force as we work through several very necessary Force Management Programs.

If you've spent any time around me, you know that I firmly believe in a positive attitude and optimism. Our 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman described an optimist as a person who sees opportunities when faced with difficulties. I completely agree that the force management difficulties we face this year will present tremendous opportunities for the Air Force to become a leaner, stronger service.

You may not consider yourself an optimist, but I suggest each service member take this opportunity to think about why they serve.

One of my favorite authors, Simon Sinek, asks leaders to "Start with Why" as they inspire and motivate others. I once heard Sinek address a military audience and express his thoughts about military service and the connection to the basic ideas of the preamble to our constitution of the United States. He connected our role as military members to supporting the formation of a more perfect union by providing for the common defense and securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Now that's inspiring.

We take an oath to support and defend our constitution against all enemies. We secure and defend our freedoms from those bad guys that don't believe in our American way of life. Without the deterrence of a strong national defense, our enemies would not hesitate to take our freedoms away. That's why we serve and each and every Air Force member should be very proud of their service.

Of course, I realize not every young American joins the military and I completely understand that a twenty year career in the Air Force is not for every enlistee. I also understand that all service members do not wake-up everyday excited and inspired to serve. In Sinek's latest book, "Leaders Eat Last", he describes the biological process of chemicals that are produced in the body that control our feelings and happiness. Two of the chemicals he discusses are serotonin and oxytocin. He describes serotonin as the leadership chemical that is produced when you feel pride and confidence. He also describes oxytocin as the chemical of love and the feelings of safety, belonging and connections.

For several years when I welcome first-term Airmen to Travis, I always ask them to serve with a sense of pride whether their term of service is four years or 24 years. I tell them to do everything they are asked to do with a sense of pride which sounds a lot like one of our core values. I also speak to Airmen at all levels of leadership about creating genuine, caring connections with co-workers and subordinates. I have always believed that creating these relationship connections help to build loyalty and trust that inspires Airmen to achieve their very best.

Before reading Sinek's new book, I did not know about the biological process of the chemicals, but I am convinced the key to maintaining the highest quality Airmen in our Air Force is to create and maintain a culture where Airmen feel proud and appreciated for their service as well as have a strong sense of belonging to their unit and to fellow Airmen.

For me, I love being in the Air Force and serving our country, but I know that is not true for every member. This year will be a time that many Air Force members will be given the opportunity to leave our ranks through these force management programs. If you are identified as someone eligible for one of the programs, I ask you to seriously consider how happy you are coming to work every day. If for some reason, you wake up dreading your day, force management may be a great opportunity for you. Of course every member that has served and is still serving our country deserves tremendous appreciation, but no one serving our country should feel miserable every day.

My optimistic view of 2014 is that these force management programs will ultimately produce a stronger, leaner, and overall much happier Air Force. We are going to retain Airmen full of serotonin produced by their sense of pride in service, as well as Airmen full of oxytocin because they feel valued, appreciated and a part of their unit and big Air Force Family. The future is very bright and I am very confident 2014 is going to be an amazing year for the Air Force.