Effort towards goals of today prepares for GWOT tomorrow

  • Published
  • By Col. Bryan Benson
  • 71st Flying Training Wing
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Many of our activities and programs may seem like efforts to meet short-term goals when looked at on the surface, like preparing for next month's Operational Readiness Inspection.
However, when you change your focus to the bigger picture, it's easy to see how these short-term goals are integral in preparing us as expeditionary warriors engaged in the global war on terrorism.
The ORI doesn't just evaluate how we meet our day-to-day mission requirements. The results show how well-suited we are to deploy and fight. Those results show how you fit into the big picture. Whether it's for a rating in an inspection or the safety of fellow Airmen, people depend on you to know your job and to do the best job you can.
The same is true for the annual fitness test. While this may seem an entirely personal goal to pass, it also affects how we fit into the big picture. The test determines how fit we are to fight in the global war on terrorism. Again, other people will be depending on our ability to do the job and fitness plays a big part in our job performance. In a deployed environment, fitness may mean the difference between life and death.
Life and death are also behind the 101 Critical Days safety campaign. Short term, this campaign seeks to get us safely through the summer months. But in the big picture, the campaign helps us develop safety habits that will leave us more prepared to protect resources and keep us mission ready.
Whether you're working towards short or long-term goals, doing your job to the best of your ability will ensure you're a valuable, fit-to-fight member of the team. Team Vance and your country need each and every one of you to be fit, safe, motivated and most of all, ready.
Speaking of our team, we have a new member. Col. Jerry Siegel, the new 71st Flying Training Wing vice commander, and his family will arrive this weekend. Please join me in providing them a warm welcome to Team Vance!
Have a safe and enjoyable weekend and don't forget to take care of your wingman. Thanks for all you do for America.