Resolutions, wing priorities go hand-in-hand Published Feb. 21, 2013 By Col. Michael Underkofler 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J -- I don't think I've ever set New Year's resolutions. I've always felt that if something needed to be done, I'd do it no matter what the calendar reads. However, at the beginning of this year, a reporter pressed me for my resolutions. Saying that I don't make them wasn't going to suffice, so I just blurted out a couple new goals: delegate more, fly more and spend more time with my family. If I'm better at the first one, the other two should follow. Besides, the last two are fun and are personal priorities. Nearly two years ago, I laid out what my priorities were here in the wing. I continually refer to them at ceremonies and briefings, but just like the reporter with the resolutions, someone asked me what my priorities were for the wing in 2013. They haven't changed. They're not affected by uncomfortable budget times or changes in the world. I think they are simple to remember: Deploy combat-ready Airmen, Develop Airmen, Defend Citizen Airmen and the way we serve, and Fun--have it and incorporate it in what we do. Use this device: 3Ds and 1 F. Or as one noncommissioned officer jokes, "the grades on my freshman year report card." Deploy Combat-Ready Airmen Our most fundamental job is to make sure we and our fellow Airmen can fight the fight--ever ready technically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The changing nature of warfare and the real threat from those who wish us harm doesn't allow for spool-up time. Like the citizen soldiers who came before us, we need to be ready at a moment's notice to put down our plows and other instruments of our civilian jobs to fight the fight here at home as well as on foreign soil. To maintain our readiness, we need to make the most of our training opportunities by getting our hands dirty, practicing things one more time and challenging those around us. When the American public sees us in our uniform, they don't know our career specialties or any duty limitations. Rather, they see warriors, Airmen who should be able to defend and protect, take over in a crisis or natural disaster, perform first aid and restore order. We owe it to them, to the nation, and to each other that we're always ready to do what is required. Develop Airmen Every day, we must pass down our knowledge and skills, not just the technical ones, but those related to mentoring, leading and following. Train your replacement. Take advantage of professional military education and other educational opportunities. Participate in Human Resource Development Council-sponsored events and other developmental programs. Incorporate the best practices of the civilian community into how we teach and train. Tell the stories of great Airmen who went before us. Keep our unit free of harassment, discrimination, and destructive discord. Celebrate our unit's rich cultural and ethnic diversity and teach others how it has made us better. Encourage others in all these endeavors so we continue to be the world's most respected air force. Defend Citizen Airmen and the Way We Serve Air Force reservists are vital to the defense of the nation. We bring skills and talents found nowhere else. We also help maintain a vital link to communities, elected officials and private industry. Our military ancestors fought incredibly hard to allow reservists to serve, let's honor and defend that legacy. When making decisions about opportunities for our Airmen, we must allow talent and ability to guide us rather than solely relying on longevity and availability. As best we can, we must make missions, tasks and deployments more employer and reservist friendly. This is nothing to be embarrassed about. Our normal priorities, in order, should be our family, our civilian employment and our reserve duty. When we need to change these priorities, we should plan for it, communicate about it, support those impacted by it and return to normal as soon as possible. We must recognize civilian employers and encourage them to be our national defense partners, educate our community and religious leaders about what we do, demonstrate sound stewardship of the taxpayer's trust and resources and help them understand our inherent efficiencies. Fun--Incorporate It Into Everything We Do. Hard work deserves fun. Supervisors should make sure annual training and deployments have fun activities included in them. While the mission comes first, the mission can't be done without Airmen excited to learn, serve and grow. After a long shift or a period of several long shifts, take time to recover and recharge. See the world, not just simply serve in the world. Visit a historical or cultural site when off duty. Take along others and make new friendships. Make memories and share them with your family. When possible, include your family in your military experience. Work hard, play responsibly. Three Ds and one F - I'm hopeful that you'll see the merit in these priorities. I think that not only will we get through inspections, deployment and adversity better if we strive to achieve them, but we'll make our service here more meaningful and worthwhile. Thanks for all you do. Best wishes for 2013 and beyond.