All ranks capable of innovation

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - One of the great, rule-breaking orators of the 20th century said, “The quality of our thoughts and ideas can only be as good as the quality of our language.”

As many in the Air Force can attest, members of the community have an interesting way of speaking. If someone said to contact the POC at the AFRC NLT 1630, well, that’s just kind of how people connected to this branch of the service talk. It’s a time saver instead of saying to reach the point of contact at the Airman and Family Readiness Center no later than 4:30 p.m.

While initialisms and acronyms are common in the Air Force, we’re also guilty of using buzzwords and phrases. One used in both the private and public sectors catches my attention: “Think outside the box.”

Actually, I like this expression. It’s an intention Airmen, civilians and contractors, such as myself, should heed. However, the phrase itself is no longer an example of approaching a situation from a fresh perspective.

At a time when both the Air Force and the private sector are encouraging people to "do more with less,” it is innovation that will guide America’s armed forces in the future. Good ideas will save time, money and maybe even lives. It’s the kind of re-examining that can help improve a process or better a shop.

I’m not an Airman, government service employee, veteran or retiree, but a contractor who has had a front-row seat to the Air Force for approaching a decade. I’ve never worn camouflage, but I think too often that I get comfortable with the way things are.

I think that’s human nature, so I think it’s healthy to have the status quo challenged or questioned. Since I’m a contractor, my investment in making our armed forces the best it can be is my own self-interest. I want this nation to continue to be leaders and innovators in the world.

Little changes if no one tries. I don’t imagine many people roll their eyes at the idea of “thinking outside the box,” but the notion behind it must never lose its value because good ideas are valuable. If it’s beneficial and practical, it’s worth putting out there.

Additionally, good ideas can come from anyone. Remember the earlier quote about the quality of our thoughts and ideas? Do you know who said that? George Carlin.

Perhaps best known for his bit about “The Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television” – none of which are suitable to reprint in this family-friendly publication, obviously – the late, New York-born comedian often had what can generously be described as a pessimistic view of the world. I like to think he would enjoy that he’s discouraging the use of euphemisms from beyond the grave.

Just because he was a comedian doesn’t make his point about language and how we use it any less true, which also can be said about a good idea’s value to the Air Force.

The quality of our thoughts and ideas is only as good as the quality of our language. So when we say “think outside the box,” take its meaning to heart regardless of whether the saying is familiar.

Good ideas – the kind that are going to help the Air Force and the nation –  are valuable and necessary whether they are from a brand new Airman or a four-star general.