JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
So, I am sitting in a place surrounded by people who are talking, laughing and just overall enjoying the environment and the company they are in. Husbands and wives are holding hands, friends are telling stories and I am awed by the sense of camaraderie that fills the air. The 15th Airlift Squadron, 437th Airlift Wing has just recently returned from a deployment and I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to their "Eagle Feather" ceremony.
This ceremony is special and the two inductees were nominated and approved to forever be recognized to hold a unique and special place in what I would argue is the closest thing to family we have in the Air Force, our squadrons. Throughout the years, the squadron has held a special place in my heart. These are the people you work with daily, the friends you make for a lifetime and a place where the moments you experience will stay with you forever. It is the place we find the motivation, the drive to excel because of the commitment to the person standing next to you.
Col. Dave Hafer, a previous commander of mine would always say, "If you were not in a squadron, you wanted to be in one." You see, he felt that same sense of belonging, a sense of family and pride that can only be felt when you are part of a team. These teams can endure hardships, deployments and various other obstacles and still come together to perform remarkably.
I often tell first term Airmen to look to their left and right when they are in-processing. These people sitting here are your family and will be the ones to fix your car when you are away and watch your children, pets and house when you can't. These are the people who will celebrate your good moments and be there to support you during bad times. It is through this closeness and caring that we are able to sense when someone needs help and to offer what could be a lifeline for a person in need. This caring extends far beyond the walls of our squadrons and into our homes through our Key Spouse network as well. Ultimately, in my opinion, I would submit to you our success, our Air Force's success, lies in the health of our squadrons.
I attended a senior leadership conference at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., last year to discuss various issues facing our command. During one of the many discussions, one of the indicators of a healthy squadron was identified as one that in busy times, took the opportunity to get together, have a dining out and enjoy being a part of a team. The excuse of not enough time, too busy, etc., just didn't cut it as a reason for not having an event like this.
As I enjoyed the Eagle Feather ceremony and heard the stories of success and watched a video of the recent deployment, I couldn't help but reflect on those great days I had experienced myself in that awesome environment we simply call the squadron. During that reflection, I also thought about the great leaders who made this particular squadron exceptional. Although this event was to honor retired Lt. Col. Mike Mitchell and Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Wilson for their enduring commitment to this organization, I submit there is another benefit here, one transcending rank or crew qualification. This benefit is the winning of hearts and minds, the sense of belonging and commitment that is reinforced during events like this. Policies can change, medals can be earned and awards can be won, but ultimately it is how someone was treated and how they felt that will endure the test of time.
On this night, Lt. Col. Rebecca Sonkiss, Lt. Col. Chad Rauls, Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Kloeppel and Master Sgt. Jadirra Walls took their rightful place among generations of leaders who have had the distinct pleasure of commanding and leading in this awesome environment and to be sure, deserve much credit for their role. They are the true epitome of leaders and their actions will have a positive effect on our great Air Force for years to come. I extend to them my personal thanks for allowing me to take part in this awesome ceremony.
So, if it has been a while since your squadron came together to celebrate, I would encourage you to take that first step and make it happen. The personal gratification is immediate and successful mission accomplishment is the ultimate reward.