Make it happen with 4 C's

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Antonio Kitt
  • 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Many of us know the above preamble from elementary history class. Some, like me, may even remember it from the Saturday morning show "School House Rock." Regardless of how you may recall the preamble, or if this is your first reading of it, it made a nation's mission possible. 

This one sentence provides the foundation for what I deem the four C's: communication, cohesiveness, commitment, and connection. When we use them together, they keep the mission happening.

-- Communication. The preamble states in broad terms what was required of the people to create and sustain a nation. The mission was impossible without conveying the expectations and proposed outcome, a "more perfect union." Today we continue to have a need to provide concise communication in what we are called to do. Technology has provided us multiple avenues in which to talk with one another and all are good when used appropriately. However, I'm of the mindset face-to-face communication is still the best method. Today, say a kind word to someone and you'll help keep the mission happening. 

-- Cohesiveness. In one sentence, the preamble unifies us. It beckons us to communicate beyond our own desires and provides a refuge for promise. Cohesiveness guides us into the realm of selfless service placing the focus on the greater cause; mission, rather than self. Today we and our coalition partners continue to answer the call of service to others. Our service commitment bonds us together and it keeps the mission happening. 

-- Commitment. The preamble speaks to consistent action; to form, establish, insure, provide, promote and secure. It has ingredients of loyalty, dedication, allegiance, faithfulness and duty. Commitment subjects us to serve above our normal capacity. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" Commitment is planted in the seeds of sacrifice, nourished in the light of hope and matures into a strong tower of excellence and it keeps the mission happening. 

-- Connection. The preamble rests on union, justice, domestic tranquility, common defense, general welfare and blessings of liberty and posterity. This is what draws many to a common place. John Donne said, "No man is an island, entire of himself." We know this fact and live it out as we serve around the world in the Air Force. Nevertheless, we must continue to be vigilant in understanding others. This may pull us out of our comfort zones and it may mean sharing a word of encouragement, yet it also may create a bond not easily broken for the rest of our lives. The saying, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care," is very true. Connect with someone today; you may cross paths again. This too keeps the mission happening.

No one person makes it happen. Though the mission at hand may seem impossible, it isn't because together we make it happen. It is not hard to see the four C's in action across this base. I observe them moment by moment each day. They are broad and firm pillars, originating from the preamble, in which I believe my current Air Force unit continues to build upon. 

When we choose to communicate in a way that the receiver understands, a cohesive team forms and an unfaltering allegiance binds us together for the greater goal. The mission at hand is possible due to patience, long suffering and goodness shared by individuals displaying selfless skills in service to others. Is the mission impossible? No, because "we the people" continue to make it happen.