Taking a page from the Marines’ manual

  • Published
  • By Col. Lynne Taylor
  • 60th Inpatient Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Although new to squadron command, I am not new to leadership and its principles - something that each Air Force member can practice every day. I'd like to briefly share some of what I have learned. 

Having been married to a Marine for almost 19 years, I have been exposed to some of the Corps' personalities and philosophies. There is much to be learned from this leadership-driven organization. 

Speaking to a group of newly-promoted Marine corporals, Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller advised them, "First, be technically and tactically proficient. Second, know your Marines and look out for their welfare. Third, and most importantly, as a Marine NCO, you must set the example!" 

Maj. Gen. Kimberly Siniscalchi, assistant surgeon general of Air Force Nursing Services, in speaking to a group of new squadron commanders echoed the same ethos and added one other: "Anyone wanting to be the leader must first be the servant." 

Thorough competence in any chosen way of life - whether in aviation, medicine, law, car washing or newspaper delivery - is expected. It is the standard. Anything less is substandard and cannot be tolerated. During our last move, I told one of the movers that he really didn't have to wrap an item so carefully, that it was not worth much and not really important. He said he did have to wrap it well and correctly because, "I don't want somebody down the line to point to this and say 'Who did that?'" 

Pride comes with proficiency. Well-deserved pride is something for which we should all strive. 

Along the way, I've learned the truth of the maxim that if you take care of your people, they will take care of the mission. Real leadership requires that the leader knows his or her people and takes a genuine interest in them. Although not always possible, leadership credibility is greatly increased if the leader is seen as someone who has been there and done it. As the chief nurse at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., I worked in the Family Practice Clinic every Thursday. There is no better way to get to know your people, observe actual workflows and build credibility at the same time. 

It has been said a man preaches a better sermon with his life than he ever will with his lips. There is nothing new about this concept. The Roman proverb applicable here is Facta non verba - Deeds, not words. 

In every facet of a leader's life - personal appearance, physical training, fairness, impartiality, ethical incorruptibility and countless others - he or she must meet the standard each hour of each day. While a leader does not have to run faster than anyone else in the squadron, he or she does have to complete the physical training test successfully each and every time. This leadership attitude requires total dedication to the mission. One is a leader for two reasons - to take care of the people one leads, and to accomplish whatever mission is assigned. Leadership is about the people and the mission. 

General Puller's advice to his Marine NCO's corresponds directly to our Air Force core values of Integrity, Excellence and Service before Self. For me, those are not merely words on paper. They are living, breathing concepts by which to live and lead.