CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
I have an ongoing joke with a 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle mechanic about getting my hands dirty. On the very few occasions he's actually seen me do an oil change, he's asked me if I just plunged my hands into a bucket of oil to make it look like I'd really done some work.
In reality, the real work is done by the troops who have to carefully ensure I'm not creating more work or breaking something. So where am I going with this story? For me, getting your hands dirty is a great metaphor for the true effort needed to make our mission happen here at Charleston AFB every day. Those on our team who are getting their hands dirty are the people who try harder to really help someone, who work a little longer to take care of our mission requirements and give more than expected.
How many times have you seen those who just plunge their hands into the oil bucket - the folks who go through the motions, but can't help you out because it's "not their job" or they "have an appointment" or find it easier to simply refer you to vague Air Force Instruction? I've seen these troops, but frankly, they are a dying breed - especially in our changing Air Force.
Our mission is just too important to be slowed by those who aren't willing to give more than expected. It's thrilling to work with a team of true professionals who never hesitate to get their hands dirty doing real work.
Let me share just a few examples. There were vehicle mechanics who came in to work over the Christmas holiday to prepare a desperately needed vehicle for shipment to the area of responsibility. There were supply troops who worked 12-hour shifts during Air Expeditionary Forces 5 and 6 to build up the mobility bags for our Charleston warriors who were deploying. There was a vehicle operator who stayed on the road hours beyond his shift to drive a notification team to inform a family of the passing of a loved one. Also, the readiness lieutenants pulled a 24-hour shift to ensure deploying troops passing through Charleston were met at the airport and transported to billeting.
Charleston AFB is filled with troops who don't hesitate to dig in and really get their hands dirty. I could list examples from every squadron on base if I wanted to and my examples would get even more amazing if I listed the things our Charleston warriors do in our deployed locations.
Coming up on the end of my tour here, I've realized the thing I will miss most is the inspiration I get by watching you at work. You take such pride in your mission and go the extra mile for a wingman. You aren't afraid to get your hands dirty and put in the extra effort required to maintain standards of excellence and to keep our team strong.
Thanks for the inspiration - keep doing it right!