Airmen must take ownership of Air Force careers

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tanya Hubbard
  • Sgt. Paul P. Romenda Airman Leadership School commandant
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  My 5-year-old daughter came to me the other day with a huge smile on her face and asked me to follow her.

She led me to her bedroom, which was entirely clean. I was surprised and proud of her since I hadn't even asked her to clean her room. I didn't even have to promise her anything in return.

When I asked her why she did it, she shrugged and said "it was messy." I loved that she took it upon herself to rectify the situation. She could have chosen to leave it messy and walk around the toys until I finally got tired and cleaned it up. Instead, she chose to clean it herself so she could move around freely, find her toys and play in her own area. Basically, she took ownership.

Ownership isn't only about possession. It gives us enthusiasm, a vested interest and a sense of pride. I believe ownership is the key to every Airman's success. Once we admit that this is really our Air Force and not "the" Air Force, our whole attitude changes.

We commit ourselves to do the best job we can, make real efforts to improve where we are able and accept the things we don't have control over. We get excited when we find the good and we work to fix the bad. No one asks us to do that. We just have a desire for it to be the best it can be. This commitment and enthusiasm is contagious - it makes other people want to have ownership too.

As Airmen, we all have a "bedroom" to care for. We choose how it looks, what condition our toys are in and how much we enjoy being there. Your "bedroom" may be a task you've been assigned, a project you've been asked to organize or an entire workcenter full of people you are charged with leading. Some of us walk around in a mess, stepping over the toys while others take pride in ownership and clean their room without being asked. We all have the choice to own the work we do. That level commitment can help our careers or hold us back.

Of course, I rewarded my daughter that day for the amazing job she did. While she appreciated it, the hours she spent happily playing were all the reward she needed.

The lesson here is simple. Go above and beyond and really take ownership of every job you do. Don't wait for someone else to "clean your room."

Take extreme care for the precious item that has been placed in your possession, your career. Much like my daughter found that day, you will feel better for having done that and others will notice.