Positive, flexible attitude helps face changes, meet challenges

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Joanne M. Kile
  • 11th Mission Support commander
BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. (AFPN) --  Change is an ever-present part of today's Air Force. It is part of what makes our force great. When we switch leadership, whether it is a new commander at the wing, group or squadron level, or when we move to a new installation, we are providing ourselves an opportunity to do our job better.

A new set of eyes perceives performance in a new light. A new set of eyes inspires us to reach the next level of improvement. A new set of eyes makes us uncomfortable, which is a good thing.

Leadership change, like all change, is about the unknown. We don't know the expectations, and we don't know if we will meet them or not. Still, we don't need to be afraid of change; we need to embrace it and learn from it.

Embracing change is all about attitude. Being positive, open to ideas and ready for new challenges makes it easier to adapt and improve when change occurs. And change will occur.

Think about Air Expeditionary Force rotations. Every 90 days, a large number of Air Force folks are rotating into forward-deployed areas and an equal number are rotating back to their home units. That is change. The section you left doesn't stand still waiting for your return, it moves forward. The checklist may be updated; your noncommissioned-officer-in-charge may PCS; your best friend may get married. It all changes. Even the forward area must adapt to a new set of airmen with the same core values and skills but different ideas on executing the mission every 90 days.

Another example of change is the new Air Force fitness assessment. This assessment directly supports our expeditionary culture and prepares us to be healthy, physically fit and capable of performing in any environment: air, space, mountainous terrain, desert terrain, arctic terrain or home station.

This new assessment emphasizes physical fitness and makes it an integral part of day-to-day operations. Unit physical training is also building esprit de corps and teamwork, leading to a stronger unit. Because of this, our expeditionary mission -- and whatever the Air Force is asked to do next -- will only benefit from this change.

Operating in a comfortable environment, an environment where everything happens as we expect, when we expect and with whom we expect, doesn't prepare us for the uncertainty of deployment and forward operations.

It seems to me comfort isn't part of serving in our Air Force. Openness, adaptability and core values are what keep our Air Force great. So, stay positive and flexible.