Making a difference

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. John P. Savage
  • 60th Medical Support Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Why am I here? Does what I do really make any difference? These frequently thought and asked questions are central to our success. Rank, Air Force Specialty Code skill level and position don't make these questions less important. The answers are key to why integrity is first, why we strive for excellence and what underlines our service. They hold the key to why we watch after our wingman and why we don't drink and drive.

In today's environment of dwindling resources and increasing operations tempo, all the 'extra' positions, which existed in years past are long gone. If you're part of Team Travis, be assured you are important. If your shop is down a person or two, you feel the pinch; and make it challenging to get the job done well. Every Team Travis member makes a difference to their peers and the mission.

It's easy to get into a rut and forget how we individually fit into the wing and Air Force mission. It's easy to start thinking, "It doesn't really make a difference, I'm just an Airman, I'm just a cook, I just turn wrenches, or I'm just a Lieutenant.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Ensuring planes are ready to fly, professional military education tests are administered correctly, prescriptions are dispensed accurately, billeting rooms are inviting and buildings are neatly painted each contribute to the wing's success.

Every Airman can and should make a difference. Following a technical order with exactness, providing care for a family member of a deployed member with compassion, processing a financial claim correctly and quickly and every other job here at the best and busiest base in Air Mobility Command does effect the mission.

Bob Riley, the governor of Alabama once said, "One person can make a difference. In fact, it's not only possible for one person to make a difference, it's essential that one person makes a difference. And believe it or not, that person is you."

That is why it's important you do your job well, and that you are safe on and off duty.

The link between our ability to succeed in our mission of providing global mobility and worldwide war fighting capability as executed by Travis crews is clear. It takes the entire wing to operate four major weapon systems C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, KC-10 Extender and David Grant USAF Medical Center and support Travis tenant units.

The 60th Air Mobility Wing excels in ensuring that the support needed is there. Weather projected accurately allows mission planners to adjust appropriately. Family members who are well-cared for at DGMC allow our deployed peers to focus on their downrange mission knowing all is well at home. It is the same for every Airman of Team Travis.

Your service is important. That you do it excellently makes a difference, and your integrity and pride drive you to do it well. It's that same integrity, commitment to excellence and your focus on service that will have you look after your wingman, and keep each other safe.

We look out for our wingmen to allow our most valuable resource, the men and women of the 60th AMW, to be able to perform excellently. If we stop one wingman from drinking and driving, they are available to support the mission.

In contrast, one Airman, driving while under the influence, could cause our wing to lose focus on the mission as we attend an unnecessary memorial service and regret a needless death. Taking the keys from someone who has been drinking helps Travis succeed in its mission.

The job of leaders at every rank is to translate the vision their position affords to ensure their peers and subordinates know how their job fits into the bigger Team Travis mission. Great leaders can explain the importance of even tedious work to those that have forgotten or do not know.

So at whatever rank you are or whatever position you lead in, don't forget or let those around you forget that one person does make a difference to our success.