Commentary - Filling squares

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Filling squares

Posted 6/12/2013

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Commentary by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent Miller
2nd Maintenance Squadron

6/12/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- As Airmen, we are more than familiar with the need to fill the proverbial squares as we strive to progress in our military career.

To be competitive for awards and promotions, we must commit ourselves to goals such as education, passing the fitness exam, and community service. It is through completion of these expectations and requirements that we become better leaders, managers and Airmen. However, somewhere along the way, we fail to internalize the importance of why we fill these squares.

In reality, the squares are designed to make us better and provide a separation between the willing and unwilling -- the committed and uncommitted. The squares help identify Airmen who are motivated and willing to go the extra mile to better themselves, their team, and the Air Force. It is this drive towards self-improvement that separates one from the masses and establishes his or her true identity.

One square that requires a great deal of commitment is the pursuit of education. As we continually strive to become that "whole person," we must challenge ourselves intellectually and work toward attaining a certification; associate, bachelor's, or even a master's degree. Attending school is not easy and takes sacrifice. It means spending your time writing a research paper, while everyone else is enjoying the weekend. It means taking your textbook on the flightline and studying every chance you get. It means being the security forces Airman I saw reading a biology book while eating breakfast in the dining facility.

At this moment some of you are saying there is no time to attend school; high operations tempo, 40-hour work week, and spending time with family are a few reasons that prevent you from taking classes. Additionally, some of you may feel we should be evaluated solely on work performance.

Honestly, these excuses are hindering you from progressing and improving yourself. If you continue to hide behind them, like I once did, you will never take yourself to the next level.

It took a long time to realize that fear and toxic excuses prevented me from seeking an education. Constant mentorship and a few one-way "conversations" from a chief master sergeant propelled me down the road of education.

Dedicating yourself to filling the squares is a decision only you can make. By filling them you demonstrate the willingness of constant self-improvement and unwavering commitment, which directly benefits you, your team, and the Air Force. Filling the squares also establishes separation from your peers and it is through this separation that you are most likely to fulfill your career aspirations and goals.

The choice is yours and yours alone. Be willing to accept the consequences. Don't say, "He/she only got Senior Airman below-the-zone because he went to school." Rather, you must say, "I lost because I chose not to go to school. I chose not to fill the squares."

Comments

6/28/2013 12:07:26 PM ET
I guess that is why I retired as a MSgt rather than a CMSGT because I placed all my energy and dedication into supporting the mission and learned all I could about F4 Phantoms andd J79 Engines. However my second career has been most rewarding and well paid as the Worldwide F4 J79 Engine consultant sought after in 6 foreign countries for the last 23 years.

SNCO Ret 89, SW Ohio

6/27/2013 9:15:11 PM ET
Now I fully understand why I have NCO's asking me about calculus at work. Education is a force multiplier It takes two college-enrolled airmen to do the work of one work-focused airman.

FM, Remote

6/27/2013 6:34:28 PM ET
There is some merit to the article however education is not for everyone...nor is it a necessity to live a successful life. Personally I chose the education route because it was required for what I wanted to do not because the AF wanted me to fill some square. I am not a square filler and the square fillers are why our Airmen do not understand their primary duties. It is why we ignore duties all year long and prep aka pencil whip for an inspection. It's why a finance Airman cannot answer the simplest question regarding their AFI's. Or a supply technician does not understand how to perform SBSS inquiries. Primary duties aka AFSC core competencies have taken a back seat to square fillers and PT. This is reflective at the highest levels of leadership to. Examples Tanker Plane debacle two next-generation fighters over-budget and still cannot perform uniform debacle that is now being micromanaged by Congress cannot make up its mind with GTC-CSA cards constant PT changes

TSgt V, OCONUS

6/27/2013 2:58:03 AM ET
Filling squares is part of the game. Get over it if you want to succeed in the Air Force. There is nothing wrong with it as long as you still put mission Airmen and family first. It's called taking care of yourself and setting yourself up for success.

SNCO, Deployed

6/26/2013 9:27:15 AM ET
They depend on uswe depend on them.Filling squares is a by product of what's really importanttrue caring for your fellow airmenand women.

Dan mcgillicuddy, Grand forks

6/25/2013 12:39:53 PM ET
I liked the article and point of view. It's a shame that so many folks pick apart a few words here and there in order to lament the things that are wrong with the pursuit of enhanced professional competence. It's a shame that a SNCO an Airman or an officer cannot share some perspective and advice without a bunch of people trying to take him down. Bottom line Each of us has a responsibility to enhance our professionalism and be a well-rounded leader. We hold the keys to our professional future more than any other person or agency. Are there careerists Yes. Do some of them get through the cracks Yes. But does that mean that Airmen need not strive for excellence and increased professional competence Not at all. Keep up the fight and always be Proud to Serve.

SMSgt Mitch Pykosz, Scott AFB IL

6/25/2013 7:10:50 AM ET
Filling the squares is not the sign of a professional. A professional becomes the best at his job the best leader and the one juniors wish to follow. Being a professional is not taught in some classroom somewhere it is developed by other leaders experts and professionals. A career is something you do for a long time a profession is something you dedicate your life to. When I retired just two years ago it was apparent that the Air Force was being led by career military there were precious few professionals. Maybe a return to professionalism would stop some of the crap we have seen at Lackland Minot and other places were careerist have shown the way not to do things.

TJ, Retired

6/24/2013 5:43:59 PM ET
AFI 36-2618 THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE states in paragraph 3.1.8 Continue professional development through on- and off-duty education. Join professioanl organizations for example base advisory and enlisted councils and participate in organization and community events through volunteerisms. This is the last bullet under general responsibilies. However it seems to carry the most weight.

Prior E, CONUS

6/24/2013 2:27:34 PM ET
There is a huge problem in the Air Force today and it is the push for filling the boxes. In the push for filling the boxes we have lost discipline and work ethic. I work in what most would consider a blue collar career field that requires a lot of hand on physically demanding work. I recently had the honor to sit in on a BTZ board and I asked one simple two part question to all candidates. How much duty time did you use for the things listed in your package and how do you think you co-workers felt picking up the slack while you were gone. Every one of them received ZERO points from me. They had no clue what was even in their packageWhat I am getting at is we need to take a step back and train on primary duties and how to be an Airman in the USAF vs. pushing college. I was recently marked down on an EPR because I took a certificate course with money spent out of my own pocket that directly related to my job. The reason I was marked down was there were other NCOs in my

Angry NCO, Deployed SWA

6/24/2013 12:15:28 PM ET
By golly Future Chief I think you're right. We should change our creed to I am an American Airman dedicated to filling squares.

Chief, California

6/24/2013 10:01:03 AM ET
Note to retired SNCO in Texas regarding your lack of a medal upon retirement. There is no retirement medal. A medal is for the time served at the last location. It caps off a career but doesn't represent it. I can't dispute your allegations as I was not there but just wanted to clear up the medal point.

Paul, SATX

6/24/2013 9:49:24 AM ET
It really doesn't matter about the squares they have to be filled but in the end it comes back to who you know or in a lot of peoples case don't know. There are a lot of opportunities that most of us never hear about because people are hand picked for the positions and they are never advertised to the rest of the career field. Basically if you get a sponsor early on in your career you have to fill the squares but that is just a formality. They say the good ol' boys club is gone but it is alive and well still today

TC, Southwest Asia

6/23/2013 7:18:46 PM ET
This article unintentionally crystallizes the core dysfunction that is currently putting unacceptable drag on the USAF. Passing the fitness test doesn't make anyone a better leader. Compulsory community service is not only a joke in terms of developmental value but an immoral imposition upon airman who are already giving more than anyone should be asking. If the service doesn't refocus on its core mission and stop distracting itself with BS it'll damn itself to failure which is an unacceptable outcome for the nation. This article is as misguided as anything I've ever seen from a SMSgt.

Tony, Boston MA

6/23/2013 7:14:30 PM ET
The whole person concept has not and will never go away. It is your duty as Airmen to know and understand what you're responsabilities are. You can give everyone a chance to volenteer but only a few will. You can tell everyone to go to school. But only a few will. The short 'n skinny is that there needs to be a larger group of dedicated leader to choose from in order to shape our force properly. So check your blocks and trust that there is a reason for it...even if you aren't selected for the next rank.

Retired MSgt, Florida

6/20/2013 3:57:18 PM ET
No the author didn't mention anything about doing your job or completing the mission. Isn't that supposed to be understood Did he tell people to ignore the mission so they can finish their degree or volunteer with a private organization No he did not. It amazes me how people try to drag down other people because they're trying to provide some small kind of mentoring or guidance to others. Check out the little brown book some day. It will show you that we're all EXPECTED to do these things that most of us call extra nowadays. The Air Force never has been nor will it ever be a 9 to 5 job. If you want a job that only cares about your work performance then get out and go do something else. The Air Force expects and demands more of their people. Instead of all of you criticizing or putting down those who choose to write commentaries I suggest you pick up a pen or start tapping away on your keyboard. We'd love to hear your perspective. I'll make sure I reserve my negative

MSgt Brian Potvin, Deployed SWA

6/20/2013 3:34:47 PM ET
E-9 from CaliforniaI have read the article a few times and find it disappointing that you have failed to comprehend the authors true meaning. I fail to see the sadness about someone being dedicated to self-improvement when the result is a better leader team and Air Force.

Future Chief, America

6/20/2013 12:49:55 PM ET
for those of us in special duty assignments those square fillers have become mandatory. also being non-vold to be an AETC instructor the CCAF gets crammed down their throats. bs ks @BS...there is not such thing as a non vol assignment. When you raised your right hand that was your non vol statement...as far as the CCAF...a little learning is not a bad thing.

Amazed, Lost In AMC

6/20/2013 10:00:35 AM ET
There is some merit to this article such as the piece of accepting responsibility for your actions or inactions and the impact on YOUR career. I do not like the term or notion of square-filling. It motivates people to do things without putting their heart into them. I volunteer for the things that interest me but not everything that comes my way. I go to school because I ask others to do the same and I chose to lead by example. Also I know that I am closer to retirement than most and I will need a job when I leave the AF. Look for the positives in this article we have enough negativity to deal with.

A Chief, An AFB Near You

6/20/2013 9:27:24 AM ET
From what I saw in my last 3 years in the Air Force the fast track in your career was only about who you knew. I personally took care of my subordinates always. I also volunteered for things on my own time for the sole purpose of helping someone not EPRs. I completed my bachelor's degree only 6 months after I retired. My supervisors did not include almost all of my volunteer activities in my EPRs during my last 3 years. However they would take care of the people who they liked. I had only minor troubles with my waist size but that was due to medical conditions. Because of my waist size and that the right people did not like me I did not even get a retirement medal which would have been for my entire career. That medal would have been for my family not me. Thank you AF and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling for that last slap in my and my family's face.

retired SNCO, Texas

6/20/2013 8:45:44 AM ET
I see more and more EPRs with the square filling fluff. I didnt see anything in this article about doing your job or supporting the mission.

Chief G, Scott AFB

6/19/2013 2:11:33 PM ET
for those of us in special duty assignments those square fillers have become mandatory. also being non-vold to be an AETC instructor the CCAF gets crammed down their throats.

bs, ks

6/19/2013 8:55:19 AM ET
This is the problem with the AF. Too much time worrying about filling in squares to advance less time worrying about real leadership and getting the mission done. Awards EPRs Decorations should always ALWAYS be about the job first and this nonsense second. This is coming from a MSgt well en route to a Masters degree. I play the game but I do it while rolling my eyes. I work late to take care of my people and the job not so I can do another stupid bake sale or CBT. Filling out squares is what put leaders in charge of sexual assault programs that ended up committing the crimes themselves. We don't lead...we read and make judgments off of a piece of paper.

MSgt, Germany

6/19/2013 1:49:09 AM ET
The term filling squares is often associated with doing things for selfish or wrong reasons. Sadly this article perpetuated that stereotype and failed in the why it's important area. Wish I had a 40 hour work week.

Lemmy, Italy

6/19/2013 1:20:55 AM ET
Filling the square of attaining a graduate level education was one of the best choices I made as an Airmen. Square filling helped me land a second career as a manager in the civilian world with not a single day unemployed post retirement. If you don't take the opportunity to have the Air Force pay for your college education you are leaving money on the table and passing up a great resume builder for all those years of your life you won't be in the most professional air space and cyberspace force on the earth. Go to school. Go for advancement while your in or employment when you get out. What would you say to your child if he turned down full scholarships for three degree levels?

CMSgt Retired Mahoney, United States

6/18/2013 1:10:04 PM ET
Is this really what the AF has turned into? Here we have a senior leader of an organization proclaiming that people need to fill the squares when in reality they need to ignore the squares. SMSgt Miller can you really tell your junior Airmen that probably have more education than you or I do that they need to get their CCAF Most people outside of the DoD have never heard of the CCAF anyway. I must also echo the points above that while you are out filling your boxes we will be back at the orginaztion doing the mission.

CCF, CONUS

6/18/2013 11:39:11 AM ET
I adore the irony in that the author sought to fill his own squares by writing an article about filling squares. I agree that there is value in volunteerism education etc but it has been blown so far out of proportion at this point and there's so much focus on filling squares that the actions of many fellow SNCOs and NCOs are just laughable. Our force values bake sale leadership more than technical compitence and I find that very sad.

Airman, CONUS

6/18/2013 11:05:51 AM ET
Wow...did you really say Dedicating yourself to filling squares...Sad.

Chief, California

6/18/2013 9:11:44 AM ET
Unfortunately this commentary is null and void in regards to education for advancement. The current CMSAF did not receive his BS degree until AFTER he was in the office. Get the degree for yourself not for promotion purposes.

G, Incirlik

6/18/2013 9:06:12 AM ET
This discussion as well as the standards commentary shows that our SNCO and senior officer leadership misses a huge point. While we harp on education all day long no one stops to think whether or not the quality of it and the emphasis on it is even good to begin with. While they yell about standards all day long no one stops and asks whether or not they are valid or good standards to hold in the first place. You get what you incentivize. If you incentivize square filling then you get useless square filling. I have not met a single airman BTW who can honestly say that a CCAF degree ever got them a dang thing.

Chris, USA

6/18/2013 7:16:07 AM ET
This commentary clearly points out the fact that the current Whole Person Concept as we know it is a complete and utter farce. Absolutely airmen must strive to get their educational goals met. Earning a degree is not a square filler by the way. Square fillers are those activities like setting up BBQs wing picnics and other things that give careerists face time while the real warriors are out perfecting their craft. If you stop putting so much emphasis on the wrong squares the right people will get promoted.

Bruce, Thankfully Retired

6/17/2013 10:22:16 PM ET
What terrible advice. If you teach your airmen to simply fill the squares you and they are missing the point. Instead live the Air Force Core Values. Serve others instead of your self have the courage to do the right thing when no one is looking and be an expert at your job. If you simply fill squares you serve only your self with promotionawards you only will do the right thing if you are getting credit and you will be a drain on your work center because you won't know your job.

NF, United States

6/17/2013 7:42:39 AM ET
I will bet my paycheck that SMSgt Miller will have a bullet on his next EPR related to the posting of this ground breaking article of filling squares. Do we just regurgitate these subjects every few years

SMSgt M, Florida

6/16/2013 9:58:37 PM ET
The best advice I ever recieved in my first enlistment when I decided to go career was how to develop a well-rounded depth of experience in my career field. It made some of my supervisors upset that I would aspire to broader experiences I eventually outranked them. Likewise if the private workforce learned how to fill squares and constantly imrpves one's station in life we woud have fewer living in poverty. Trying to live on social security alone after age 65 is not a good retirement plan. Neither is trying to live on an enlisted retirement alone...advice to you young NCOs.

Rich CMSgt Ret, Wisconsin

6/14/2013 11:45:49 PM ET
Filling the squares also establishes separation from your peers and it is through this separation that you are most likely to fulfill your career aspirations and goals. This statement is exactly why careerists are so easy to identify. Careerists always speak in terms of competition separation and rising above their peers. In contrast warriors speak in terms of teamwork brotherhood and love. I feel sorry for anyone too busy filling squares... In interest of full disclosure I spent almost 9 years as a MSgt because I chose to execute the mission with men I embrace as my brothers instead of filling squares.

SMSgt Kristopher Angone, Langley AFB

6/14/2013 11:46:47 AM ET
The phrase called filling the squares has evolved into a negative. There is a real difference between filling the squares to better yourself and filling the squares to chase a promotion. If a leader sells this as something to do to get an award or promotion then the real benefit is lost. If a leader inspires someone to better themselves and those around them then the AF also reaps the benefit of an improved force. Those that see square filling as a negative have likely been influenced by the bad leaders. We do not need the wood chucks we need those who want to make the AF a better place to serve. This is accomplished by bettering yourself first.

Retired Chief, Alabama

6/14/2013 8:33:11 AM ET
The demands placed on each of us as service members grows everyday. We have each taken an oath to serve our country and defend the principles that make our nation great. Part of our service is a commitment to improve ourselves and the communities that we live in. The Air Force may not always provide the time needed to better ourselves through advanced education or supporting the local community. But the attitude one takes to improving themselves and supporting those around them makes all the difference. It's the difference between filling the square and growing as an individual. Regardless the Air Force has made the expectations clear. Whether or not you decide to meet those expectations is totally up to you. I would argue that those who meet and exceed the expectations with the proper attitude are happier rise through the ranks faster make a bigger impact on those around them and are successful in all of their life's endeavors.

Maj S, Virginia

6/14/2013 3:16:21 AM ET
I appreciate the straight forwardness of this article. I disagree with the filling of squares to get promoted. But at least the author laid it out for everyone to see how some people think about career progression.

MSgt Wills, Kabul

6/13/2013 12:16:46 PM ET
I like people that focus on filling squares. They make it easy to identify careerists and people willing to throw anybody under a bus for a promotion.

D, MDL

6/13/2013 11:01:55 AM ET
Dont feel the squares and see what happens when you are no longer in the AF. The 10 or 20 years of experience is worthless to a lot of employers if you dont have the BA or BS degree with it. Remember you are NOT going to be in the AF forever. The company I work at just hired two retired MSgts both with 23 years of experience. One of them works in the east division and the other in the south division doing the same jobs. The MSgt with the degree started out at 95k per year. The non degree holding MSgt started out at 72k a year. I bet the one without a degree is wishing he had filled the square now.

Retired, Washington

6/13/2013 11:00:37 AM ET
Unfortunately you get many people who solely do things just to fill the box and once the box is checked they no longer bother to do those things. I actually leave things off my EPR that I volunteer for because the reason I volunteer is far greater than getting an attaboy for filling a box on a piece of paper. But then again the person who I am will be here much longer than the 20 years I'll spend in the AF. So doing things I find personally important to me far exceeds a desire to simply check a box.

MM, FL

6/13/2013 10:59:32 AM ET
Is there a new requirement to be published for promotion now I've never seen such a glob of smug ladder-climbing rhetoric as I have under the commentary section lately.

Real, Reality

6/13/2013 9:22:15 AM ET
It is a tautology club. Congratulations you filled the squares now you get to be one of those who reward people for filling the squares.

Sgt Whoever, conus

6/12/2013 7:32:50 PM ET
We all see the ones who strive to get the boxes filled. All of the other co-worker have to pick up their slack because they are off volunteering for everything under the sun. And don't worry about awards. Everyone will get one. If heshe deserves one or not. They are given out like blue ribbons in grade school. The 1206 is half filled with BS anyway. end of rant

Enough, Las Vegas

6/12/2013 4:19:04 PM ET
SMSgt Miller You hit the nail on the head. People who claim these extra things are stupid are hurting themselves but their negative attitudes are a negative influence on our fellow Airmen. I just hope you're prepared for the onslguht of negative comments regarding your article. Keep it up though...you're providing the right kind of guidance to our Airmen

MSgt Brian Potvin, Deployed SWA

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