STARS: Commander stresses expectations for Liberty Wing

  • Published
  • By Col. Randal L. Bright
  • 512th Airlift Wing commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  As I write this article, I have been your commander for a year. Reflecting on that and with our ORI this month, it's important to lay out the impact of my acceptance speech of a year ago. In my speech, I referenced an acronym, STARS, and told you what each letter stood for and what I expected and promised. Now, a year later, let's see how we both lived up to these ideals. 

S-Safety
During this past year, we have been blessed with very few safety instances. That's not to say we haven't had people injured, but most all of them have overcome their injuries and are back doing their jobs. I credit this success to you for making safety important as you carry out your military and civilian jobs and time with your families. As we approach the ORI, safety becomes even more important. One unsafe act, even without injuries or equipment damage, can take you down a notch or two in the grades, even though you know your job and are performing it perfectly. Remember, think safety and live safety, everyday and especially through the ORI. 

T-Training
I challenged you to get your required training and let me know if there was training you needed but couldn't get, and it was then my job to provide it. I would like to thank you for your efforts over the past year. Training currency has improved tremendously, but we can always do better. For the folks tasked to deploy during the upcoming ORI, you have taken it to task to go get your training, and for that I thank you. For the rest of us, we need to take the lead from the ORI deployers and make our training as current as theirs. 

A-Attitude
You have thoroughly impressed me with your attitude getting ready for our ORI. I challenge you to keep up the great attitude, as it is attitude that will take an average grade to the next level. Attitude impresses your ORI inspectors as they can tell you are fighting the war, even if it is simulated. Good attitudes can be infectious. 

R-Readiness
I have preached all year that we need to be ready all the time and not just when an inspection comes around. It is a lot easier to get ready for an inspection if you stay ready rather than build up from a less than ready state. You have taken that to task and are ready to tackle our ORI. The tough part is going to be maintaining that readiness after the ORI, and that is our job. You all have done well keeping your employers and families "ready." This will pay off, allowing you to do your military job without the unnecessary distractions you would have if you did not keep the two most important folks ready, your employer and your family. Keep up the good work and challenge leadership to make it better with your suggestions. 

S-Standards
Do the job in accordance with the instructions. During the past year, I have seen no lapses in judgment concerning your applications of standards in carrying out your mission. The ORI will be a huge test as the Ability To Survive and Operate will place additional stressors that can cause you to stray from standards in carrying out your mission, to take the shortcut to get it done. Hold steadfast to your training and professional discipline, and keep up the high standards you have set.