Keeping the balance

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kevin Oliver
  • 386th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron commander
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  You may have heard about the importance of maintaining balance in your work and in your lives. The tradeoffs between work and recreation, or fitness and rest, are important and well documented. Let me tell you about balance from a different perspective -- from a perspective of risk.

The new Air Force chief of staff recently commented that the Air Force will be taking a "back to basics" approach. In the past this phrase meant, at least for the C-130 Hercules community, that we would try to operate without risk, to play it safe and be conservative. Is this the intent of the chief of staff's message? I'd argue no.

Reading his comments, you can see what he's actually talking about is a return to flight discipline. Understand I'm using "flight discipline" in a broad context that applies to all of our operations at this airbase in Southwest Asia, not just flying operations (similar to the concept of how we're all Airmen).

I turned to a very basic regulation to gain a perspective on flight discipline, words that every student pilot would read in the very first days of aspiring to become a professional aviator. This regulation described flight discipline as being "at the core of every flying operation. Maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professional military pilots must adhere to the spirit and intent of governing guidelines while executing the mission in the presence of temptation to do otherwise."

In addition, this guidance instructs brand new Air Force professionals that "flight discipline begins with mission preparation. Know the rules and procedures, study the profile, ensure crew rest requirements are met and show up prepared to fly. One unprepared crewmember can jeopardize the mission." 

I realize these words are specific, in this case, to flying. Look at the guidance for your job, for your duties as an Airman, an NCO or officer; however, and you'll find similar sentiments.

The point is to treat discipline according to the root meaning of the word, which is ... knowledge.

What does all this have to do with balance? Everything. Flight discipline provides ways to balance the risks required to execute our wartime missions. Fatigue, complacency, dehydration -- all of these are challenges to the mission we must overcome -- even before we actually face the enemy. Flight discipline arms us with tools to take on these challenges, to balance the risks against mission effectiveness.

One final point about balance: It's easier to maintain if you're moving forward with your eyes on the horizon. Have you ever tried to ride a bike standing still? Keep a mission-oriented goal out there on your horizon to steer for, in addition to your faith, family and personal interests.

Sounds complicated, doesn't it? We have challenges to overcome, and must possess in-depth knowledge about our profession in order to be successful. We have to weigh risks against rewards, and decide how far to push on any given day. We have to prepare and focus -- to maintain discipline. It sounds complicated, but when you really think about it, it's pretty simple. 

There's only one thing to remember when it comes to balance. Don't lose it. 

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