Commentary: Simple rules can be a guide for a successful Air Force career

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. James Duncan
  • 100th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Through the years, I have picked up on what the old guys were conveying to me. Here are a few tools, vectors, mottos and slogans that have guided me through a successful Air Force career.

As the days on this old career melt away, I reflect on those I have served with through the years and wonder, how did the old guys do it? What kept them focused to fly, fight and win? They do it with charters like, "I got three things....". They did it with motto, "If I can leave you with one thing after my retirement, it would be...". Here are a few tried and true advices of a few seasoned leaders. 1.) Attention to detail, 2.) Take care of the small things, 3.) Do things right the first time, 4.) Take care of yourself, 5.) Take care of each other and lastly 6.) Work as if you are your own boss.

Attention to detail ... Seems simple enough, right? So many times we are rushing to meet a deadline, launch a jet or complete a job, which can lead to skipping a step, cutting a corner, missing a small detail that otherwise would have been flawless. Attention to detail is paramount in every job by every blue suiter and knucklebuster we have in service. No job, big or small, is complete until the last "i" is dotted and "t" is crossed, it's the small things.

"Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves," a wise quote from Emily Dickinson. Some small things manifest into big things when neglected. How about physical fitness, education or finances? The impact of not staying physically fit isn't apparent to some folks until it is big thing. CCAF degrees are now common place. You must complete this to be competitive and secure the best EPR, awards and advancement opportunity. It's a cycle, small to big. If you don't pinch pennies now, how's your retirement or savings going to grow? It's taking care of the small things; it's listening and adopting a new motto or life charter.

Take time to do the job right the first time, or you'll have to make time to re-accomplish the same task. Profound statement; how many times have you rushed a task to realized later, maybe only a minute later, you left the plug out of the boat, then wondered why you have all this extra hardware from a DIY job? The second time around we always find time to redo a task we should have slowed down for in the first place.

Take care of yourself ... that's one of the oldest pieces of advice I can remember. The Air Force is trimming down by record numbers. Leaders are pushing relentlessly for volunteerism and self-improvement.

Back in my junior enlisted days, being a member of the enlisted club or honor guard was full marks for organizational support and not being was a death sentence come APR (now an EPR) time.

By taking care of yourself, you need to be taking care of your fitness, education, volunteering and ensuring you are competitive against your peers. How do you set yourself apart or are you content with being average?

Take care of each other ... mentor your subordinates. Subordinates support your leaders! We all have more than enough to do on a weekly basis to make the machine work. You have to be ready to support each other through the good and bad, the easy and hard times.

Last, work as if you are your own boss. In 1999, I adopted this attitude. At the end of the day, reflect on the day's productivity and say to yourself, "would I keep this employee based on his or her performance? Is this who I want working for me? Did he or she earn their paycheck? If you answer to any of these is no, you have some changes to make and need to examine your level of commitment.

I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by people of strong character, leaders and mentors throughout my career that helped me along the way and put me back on track. Whatever your life goal is, short or long term in the Air Force, you can't go wrong with these three things ... taking care of each other, taking time to do the job right the first time and taking care of self.