Waking the dead

  • Published
  • By Lt.Col. Christopher Colbert
  • 22nd Airlift Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Dr. Howard Thurman, author, philosopher and civil rights leader once wrote, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." What was the author talking about? And what does that have to do with being in the military, an institution where we give orders, expect discipline and reassign or retrain people in a moment's notice? Both good questions. 

First, whether as a leader or a follower, I think we have all seen those people that just shine at what they do. They really love their job or their place in life, generally have a positive attitude and they put extra effort into everything they do because, somehow, they believe in who they are and what they were meant to be. 

They may not be doing exactly what they want to do in life, but they know enough to know that life is too short to sweat the details. They can handle stress and crisis because they know their role in the larger story and they know their part to play. Whether you are an outside customer or someone in that person's workstation or squadron, these people who have "come alive" are a pleasure to work with or supervise because they exude confidence and a passion for what they do. 

But to answer the second (and more important) question, we all have the capacity to "come alive" and help others towards that goal -- even in the military. As supervisors, first sergeants, superintendants and commanders, have we taken the time to talk to our troops to ask them what their career and life goals are? And remember -- not everyone is in for life or retirement, and that's okay. We should still honor their service to our volunteer force, and help them get to where they want to be. 

As peers, fellow shift workers, or front-line supervisors, have we taken the energy and interest to learn the stories of the Airmen we work with so that we can encourage their strengths and build them up in their weaknesses? I don't know about you, but I am in this profession for more than a paycheck and benefits. I enjoy flying and serving with some of the finest volunteers in this country, and I better take the time to know who I am shoulder-to-shoulder with when the war order drops. 

Regardless of career ambitions or rank, though, take the time to learn and support the "true calling" of the people around you. Maybe they would prefer to work in another duty section. Maybe cross-training into another career field interests them. Or an assignment to Germany or Japan or Oklahoma. Maybe they need time to volunteer downtown at a homeless shelter or on a youth basketball league as a coach. Some people just can't get enough of supporting their squadron booster club or organizing the next intramural sports team. 

Leaders at all levels should help their Airmen find out what makes them, as individuals, "come alive," and then leaders should help their Airmen go do that. In the end, that's exactly what the Air Force needs!