Move forward, relieve stress during inspection recovery

  • Published
  • By Col. Kevin Kriner
  • 71st Operations Group
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Congratulations to everyone for their hard work and accomplishments during preparations for the Operational Readiness Inspection, the actual ORI and in the aftermath of a very successful inspection for the wing.
As it was as we began our long journey, Team Vance remains an "Outstanding" organization regardless of any ups, downs or grades we experienced during the command's snapshot of our operations ... and the inspectors recognized it as they ran the Vance grounds. You did great! All of you!
We are now in perhaps the most difficult stage of the inspection -- recovery. The first part of that is the physical fatigue from the enormous effort expended over the past six months. That's normal and to be expected. As we move forward we need to be sensitive to our condition and take breaks if there is any doubt about our readiness to meet the day's challenges. We must also be aware of the condition of those around us and ensure they do the same. There is nothing we do at Vance that we can't accomplish tomorrow. Get to the gym, take leave and do whatever else is required to meet tomorrow's mission demands at 100-percent capacity. We can't do the mission without you.
Mental fatigue or stress is another natural result of any inspection experience. That flows from the enormous effort you put forward preparing for the inspectors, surviving their probing inquiries into your work areas and programs and those darn grades and findings. From my perspective, no group was spared the ups and downs mentioned above. Some were temporary and some left marks, but none are permanent scars unless we allow them to be.
It's been my experience that most of the stress we feel is self-imposed, versus the result of any act or situation. Many of you are in units that may feel kicked around, others riding high because of praise. Neither of these are very important as we move forward as a team ... it's what you're doing today that will ultimately count tomorrow. Don't continue to carry any mental baggage from the inspection. We need to drop it and move on to continue our success.
Self doubt, disappointment and other feelings can also cloud reality and place additional and unnecessary burdens on each of us. Success and failure do not make an individual or a unit, it's how we deal with each that will ultimately define us.
Be fair in your self assessments and grow from whatever experiences are appropriate. Find that spiritual peace that will allow you to move forward ... whether that comes from religion, friendships, personal reflection or a combination of things. Find it and move on. We need you.
It's a privilege and an honor to serve in such a great unit. The wing's grade of "Excellent" was the sum of all its parts and their efforts ... the Team Vance that entered, executed and then exited the inspection.
I'm proud to be a part of that "Outstanding" team and proud to be moving forward to bigger and better things ... with all of you! Keep up the great work!