Take care of your family Published Aug. 6, 2007 By Maj. Lasheeco Graham 60th Comptroller Squadron commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Before taking command of the 60th Comptroller Squadron, I spent almost a year at Air Command and Staff College reflecting on my leadership style, the art of command and how to combine the two for a healthy unit climate. As I contemplated these subjects, a recurring theme kept entering my thoughts: the importance of family and how they are at the core of my value system. I would fall short of all expectations without the strength of my family. I felt so strongly about this that my husband and children attended my first squadron roll call to emphasize the importance I place on family. I wanted to personally introduce them to the unit, explain their roles in the next couple of years and stress the necessity of taking care of your family. We have all been told at some time in our career to "take care of your family," and "family is important." The unmistakable message is that by addressing family concerns, it allows us to focus on the job. Most of us struggle to find the right balance between family demands and the mission. When we are pulled in several directions, our families can easily assume a lesser priority. We often forget our loved ones represent not only our present but also our future as they provide our strength during and after our military career. We know from experience that while we are fighting to keep our country safe, our family relationships are put to the ultimate test. It is during these times we ask our military family to take care of our loved ones. It is also during these times when our immediate and military families become one. When I assumed the role of commander, my family grew exponentially to include the men and women of the 60th Comptroller Squadron. Over the next two years, my immediate and military families will no doubt blend together and it will become difficult to define where one begins and the other ends. Together we will face many challenges including deployments, manning issues, organizational changes and inspections. We will also rejoice in celebrating induction ceremonies, graduations, promotions and many other personal and professional milestones. As their commander, I welcome the challenge of ensuring our families - immediate and military - are taken care of so we can focus on our roles and the mission! I challenge each of you to consider who are among those you call family? Then ask yourself if those individuals are being cared for and assigned the right priority. Remember, take care of your family!