Who moved my squadron

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Jay Junkins
  • 15th Air Mobility Operation Squadron, commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  A standard when discussing organizational behavior is "Who Moved My Cheese?" An international bestseller by Dr. Spencer Johnson following four individuals living in a maze with the daily task of finding cheese. They each have different approaches, establish different routines and become complacent until changes in their maze force them to look for new cheese and foster fear and anxiety.

Here at Travis, the 615th Contingency Response Wing is going through a significant change as well. Next month, the Air Force deactivates one of its three Contingency Response Groups. This transition allows the CRW to realign its Airmen, providing two more robust CRGs better postured to meet the warfighters' needs. This realignment also allows the CRW to posture for new emerging mission sets.

Change can be an overwhelming experience if you are not ready. Fears can range from how you will integrate into an established team to what impact this will have on your career progression. These fears and anxiety can be overcome if you understand and embrace the change.

Johnson outlines seven phrases to live by, known as his "Handwriting on the Wall. " In the Air Force, we can certainly apply these principles in our day-to-day lives, making us more agile Airmen, ready for any challenge, whether at home or deployed, presented by the enemy or simply changes in our organization.

"Change happens" -- The Air Force is always evolving to better support the warfighter and overcome the ever increasing threats to our national security at home and abroad

"Anticipate change" -- In the military, we are always looking for ways to anticipate the enemy. We measure a level of our success in how well we are prepared to execute our mission; "prepared" for the unexpected.

"Monitor Change" -- Beware of complacency. If we don't monitor our own processes, it is likely the enemy will. Don't be afraid to branch out. Just because you feel comfortable now doesn't mean you may find greater success through change.

"Adapt to change quickly" -- Terms like "back at my old unit, this is how we did it" or "it seemed to work fine the old way." Don't dwell on the past. adapt quickly and you will probably find the new is just as rewarding, if not better.

"Change" -- It is safer to search for a solution rather than live with a broken system. Don't languish in the "doing more with less," but rather embrace change, look to the future and find new ways to accomplish the mission.

"Enjoy Change!" -- In the Air Force, moving to new jobs and new places can be exciting. Enjoy the opportunity to do something new, broaden your career and start a new chapter in your life.

"Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again and again" -- The Air Force will never stop evolving. We will never say "it's good enough." Relish in the opportunities the Air Force provides.

A mentor once told me, "flourish where you are planted." Do your best, no matter what cards you are dealt. But he followed it with "and don't become a potted plant." If you don't embrace change during your career, you will find a point where you can no longer grow, you have exceeded the pot you were planted in. Change happens, it is expected you will be apprehensive, but approach it with the right mind set and you will overcome.