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You are part of the big picture

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. David LeRoy
  • 60th Mission Support Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  "A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way." This Mark Twain quote has come to life for me during the past seven months, as I have been afforded the opportunity to move from the operations group to the mission support group.
Everyone has their comfort zone, what they like to do, what they know best, but branching out from being comfortable is necessary to grow as an Airman, leader and person.

When I was first presented the opportunity to move to the MSG, there was no question it was going to be out of my comfort zone. But the more I thought about it, I realized it was an amazing opportunity to learn and get a better understanding of another aspect of what makes this wing successful.

As an operator, we like to say that this base would not exist if the planes were not here. I now fully understand that this base would not continue to succeed day to day if we did not keep up the infrastructure, maintain the wing's computer network, get parts for aircraft and equipment for Airmen, continue to improve the morale of our Airmen and feed them, keep the base and its people safe and ensure we are getting the best value on the millions of dollars worth of contracts we get funded every year. I now have a whole new perspective on being an Airman.

Different perspectives on how organizations operate help leaders become more effective. Knowing what others do in their jobs will help you better understand what others need. If we were all familiar and understood the impact and challenges of other Airmen's responsibilities, this wing would be that much stronger. I challenge you to get out to other areas on base and get to know how other organizations operate, grab your own "cat by the tail." I guarantee you will learn something that will make you better at what you do.

Sometimes it is about you and the awesome job you do each and every day, the impact you make to the success of your unit and the wing, but remember, it is not only about you. There are other people on this base who make an impact too.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women of the mission support group for taking me into their group with open arms and help me to continue to learn so much about how to lead Airmen.