Team should consist of participating individuals, no selfish 'I's

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Nathan Hill
  • 25th Flying Training Squadron
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Many people have probably heard the expression, "There is no 'I' in team."
But have you ever considered there is an "m" and an "e"? Does that mean the team is all about "me"?
No. The point I'm trying to make is teams consists of individuals, and every individual has a part to play.
Our squadron recently won the Vance 2005 Commander's Intramural Trophy because of the efforts of many individuals. When the year was over, with all of the points added up, we only won by seven points. Without the nine points earned by one individual, who simply attended the quarterly sports meetings, we could not have won.
When we think of teams, we often think of sports, but there are teams of individuals everywhere you go. Our squadron recently experienced a very unfortunate event, but it was an event in which teamwork made an incredible difference.
We had just finished a "Hail and Farewell" dinner at a restaurant downtown. As two families were crossing the street after the function, a distracted driver ran into several of them. Immediately, several individuals who were nearby formed an impromptu team. One individual applied pressure to a head wound, other individuals helped with the injuries of the others, and several individuals called 911. The team grew quickly as fellow squadron members poured out of the restaurant; some directed traffic to prevent further injuries, others helped account for the uninjured children of the two families, and then ensured the children were taken care of the rest of the night as the parents went to the hospital. Some teammates prayed, while others ensured dinner bills -- forgotten about in the heat of the battle -- were paid.
It wasn't long before the team grew even more as the police, fire department and paramedics arrived. Then, the nurses and doctors at the emergency room joined the team. As the calls went out to Vance, we soon had the chaplain, group commander and command post on the team.
In the days that passed since this event, I have often thought about how the many individuals on the various teams that night truly stepped up and did their part. Many even continued to go above and beyond by making meals, shopping, babysitting, sending cards and more. The result of this combined effort was lives saved and needs met. Now, one month later, everyone involved is well on the road to a complete recovery. I am honored and grateful to have been a part of that team.
Every three weeks, the day before each pilot-training graduation, I get a chance to talk to all of the proud parents, friends and family members of the graduates. I always save a part of my speech to tell them what a great team their "soon-to-be pilot" has joined. The Air Force team, and more specifically the great individuals on this team, are the reason I elected to stay in the Air Force beyond my initial commitment.
Is there an I in your team? Hopefully not a selfish one. Are there individuals who contribute doing their part wholeheartedly? I know there are in the 25th Flying Training Squadron, and I hope that you too, will do your individual part on your team -- whatever team that is.