Commentary: What you do, matters...Who you are, counts!

  • Published
  • By Diane McCurdy
  • 71st Force Support Squadron director
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Over the past few years, the Air Force has developed various programs to meet congressionally-mandated end strength while positioning the force to meet mission requirements.

Unfortunately, force management, previously known as force shaping, has affected all personnel, both active duty military and Department of Defense civilians.

To get to the desired end strength, it has been necessary for the Air Force to implement various initiatives to reduce the current number of personnel and Vance Air Force Base has not been exempt to these cuts. Such cuts, regardless of whether you serve as military or civilian, can adversely affect morale.

Having been around for more than a few years, this is not my first time going through cost cutting measures. One lesson you definitely learn is "How to Handle an Adverse Situation."

With limited or no pay raises for some, reduced cash awards for civilians, voluntary separation pay, reduction in force, date of separation rollbacks and resource management directives, it's tough to ask our personnel to hang in there, do more with less, and do it with a sense of pride. But that's exactly what we are asking Team Vance to do. That's exactly what we all should do.

Whether we are active duty or civilian, we are here because we have agreed to serve. We have agreed to work and produce a product or provide a service to the men, women and families at Vance AFB.

Although we have outstanding recognition programs on base, many with benefits, sometimes pride in your work and pride in ownership has to be enough.

The days of skating through an Air Force career traveling down Barely-Get-By Street are over. The current force management programs are designed to locate those individuals and flush them out.

The name of the game is outstanding job performance, study hard, test well and hope there will be room when it comes time for promotion. For government civilians, we must take equal pride in our jobs and careers, provide outstanding performance and be thankful for good jobs with one of Enid's largest employers.

We must take pride in what we do. But in life, what we do is only a part of what matters. It is who you are that really counts. Having a great attitude and working well with others is a big part of who you are. And that is what people remember.

During this time of budget cuts and personnel reductions, make sure you remain focused and committed to your job.

There's no substitute for a good work ethic, continuous learning and a good attitude. It's important to do the best job we can. Strive to be that person the Air Force wants to keep. But it is equally important to be the best people we can be.

In our zeal to do the best job we can, we must not forget to be patient, kind and forgiving because none of us are perfect. We are all working towards the same end -- to Develop, Deliver, and Deploy...to Fly, Fight, and Win!