New Year's expectation

  • Published
  • By Command Chief Master Sgt. John Evalle
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  At this time of year, you will inevitably hear people around you proclaim a New Year's resolution. A typical New Year's resolution centers on a personal goal of self-improvement of a flawed trait or others may make a commitment to simply be better in some way. You may hear people say they plan to be more generous, have more patience or even to be more kind to other people.

As we start a New Year filled with the excitement and great opportunity to improve ourselves, I cannot help but think that a self-improvement New Year's resolution is perfectly in line with one of our 60th Air Mobility Wing's priorities - focusing on developing yourself as a capital "A" Airman is not only a good New Year's resolution, it is a specific expectation of you as a Travis Airman.

Each of us is at some specific level of development in multiple areas in our lives. Whether you are referring to your level of personal fitness, your level of completed education or the health of your personal relationships. I believe that each of us has some area of our life that could use some deliberate attention to improve upon its current state.

A key aspect of improving yourself is that you are also contributing to the overall improvement of the entire Air Force. To be more specific, let's look at the areas previously mentioned. Most would quickly agree that a more physically fit you directly adds to a more physically fit and combat ready Air Force. Likewise, a more educated you significantly contributes to a total force of members that are continuously improving processes and thinking of ways to execute our mission smarter. Finally, when your personal relationships are strengthened by loving support and trust, your mental focus is without distraction even at the most challenging of times as you "Answer the call" to provide "Global mobility excellence."

Finally, you should consider setting a professional goal for improvement along with your personal goal. Improving your professional skills as an Air Force supervisor, manager and leader is a commitment that directly links the connection of being a better you adding to our continuously improving Air Force for generations to come.

Yes, this is the time of year most Americans take a critical look at themselves and resolve to do more of something that is good for them or stop doing things that are unhealthy, but I ask each of you as part of our big Travis Air Force family to think of your New Year's resolution of self-improvement as more of a New Year's expectation for contributing to a stronger, faster, smarter and mentally sharper Air Force. This is how we will leave Travis Air Force Base and the entire Air Force better than we found it. Happy and safe New Year to all.