JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Whenever a new leader joins an organization, it seems almost natural for people to wonder what he or she is like. Hard as it is to believe, it's been nearly two months since I arrived at Joint Base Charleston and during that time, I've barely scratched the surface in meeting the many outstanding warriors and civilians who live and work here. So I'd like to take this opportunity to satisfy a little of that curiosity and share a few thoughts.
People are our most valuable resource. As such, each one of us must take care of our self - and each other. Within Air Mobility Command, we use the Comprehensive Airman Fitness model, but regardless of what we call it, nearly every wellness model has essentially the same pillars: physical, social, mental and spiritual fitness.
It's no secret that we must be physically fit to perform our mission, whether in peace or wartime and over the past few years, we've rightfully placed far more emphasis on the importance of physical fitness. Leadership is charged to provide us with the means to remain physically fit, but we individually have a stake in the process as well - we actually have to get on the bike and pick up the weights - it is a personal responsibility.
In today's "connected" environment, we're surrounded by social media. But there's more to social fitness than sending a text or reading a blog. It's about fostering face-to-face relationships and trust. This is where we cultivate an emotional bond with our spouse, significant other, children and coworkers. It's about taking care of our family, each other and ourselves.
The most obvious element of mental fitness is our ability to deal with stress in combat as well as everyday life. But another key attribute of mental fitness is professional development. Whether through professional military education, technical training, civilian institutions or a simple reading list, we must never stop expanding our mental capacity. When we stop moving forward, we're at best standing still - if not going backward, especially in today's environment.
Quite possibly, the most neglected pillar is spiritual fitness. But like a four-legged stool, without it, our life is out of balance - we wobble and sometimes fall. And because spirituality is a very personal and private endeavor, we find it most difficult to talk about. Whether your personal spirituality involves belief in a higher power, immersing yourself in literature, music or nature or doing nothing at all, we must take time to "unplug" from the bustle of daily life. It's through spiritual fitness that we find purpose and meaning in life as well as reinforce our value set.
It's difficult to capture everything about me in 500 words or less, so there'll be more to follow. But for now, I'll conclude by saying "thank you" for everything you do each and every day to help keep our great nation free. I'm both humbled and honored to have the privilege to serve alongside you on this great team.