Personality traits should follow three Cs Published Nov. 29, 2006 By Lt. Col. Leonard Litton 25th Flying Training Squadron Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Wow! I can't believe how the last three years have flown by. This will be my last opportunity to write an article for the Airscoop as I will be moving with my family to attend Air War College in June. It was a tremendous privilege and honor to serve as the commander for the 25th FTS and to work with everyone, both military and contractor, here at Team Vance. We really do train the best military aviators in the world, and I am proud to have been a part of it with each and every one of you. As my "parting shot," I would like to share a few words with you on personality traits I believe you will need to continue to be successful in your future Air Force career. I have picked these up while reading books on leadership. One author called them the three Cs: competence, character and connection. First, to be successful in our Air Force you must be competent. You must be able to accomplish the task you are assigned to do. You must understand and be able to accomplish the fundamental tasks your Air Force Specialty Code requires. If you are a fighter or bomber pilot, that means putting bombs on target and shooting down enemy aircraft. If you are a security forces troop, that means qualifying with your weapon and ensuring the security of Vance Air Force Base. If you are a personnel specialist, that means processing orders and knowing the regulations inside and out. However, I believe competence is not all about the mechanics of your job, but about attitude as well. Many times it is not about what you do that makes you successful, but how you do it that makes a difference. Enthusiasm, energy and a cheerful spirit will go a long way to helping you get the job done and done right. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and improve yourself, for your ability to perform will have a great deal to do with your success. Second, your character will have a great deal to do with your ability to lead. General Norman Schwarzkopf once said, "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy." Your technical competence is very important, but you will not rise to the level of excellence without character. Technical experts are relatively easy to find, but a person who will do the right thing regardless of the circumstances is harder to find. Never sacrifice your integrity, because once you do, it will be hard to recover and easier to compromise the next time. Finally, your success will depend largely on your ability to connect with people, especially those people who are assigned to work for you and with you. Statistics show the majority of people who lose their jobs are not fired for lack of technical competence, but because they just can't get along with those they work with. Your ability to connect with your co-workers and work together toward a common goal will be critical to your advancement. As a commander, I spend the great majority of my time not with the technical aspects of the job, but with people issues. Your advancement as a leader will depend on your ability to motivate and care for those who work for you. Remember, there are always two sides to every story and perception is reality to those who perceive they have been wronged. Thank you for allowing me and my family to be part of Team Vance. We have made many great friends, both on base and off, and will have great memories of Enid, America, that will last a lifetime. God bless you all, and fly safe.