Class of 2006 dismissed - RAF Lakenheath

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Jet48Perspective Preserve NCOs’ respect, authority By Chief Master Sgt. Todd Gumprecht 48th Civil Engineer Squadron Commanders and Congress have given NCOs authority to carry out the mission for centuries. The ability to cut through situational haze to get to the heart of a matter is one of our greatest assets. Authority, whether earned or given by virtue of office or rank, is fragile at best. No doubt you have overheard or have been involved in conversations where discussions lead you to believe today’s Air Force NCOs just don’t have the authority or respect of those in years past. Comments such as, “I remember when a technical sergeant had power” or “they just don’t make them like that any more” may give the impression we as NCOs have lost some of our effectiveness. As I look back over my 26 years of service, the delegation of authority and enforcement of basic standards seem to be the separation between the NCOs of old and today’s NCO corps. Senior NCOs and mid-level supervisors own the direction of daily tasks, and in-turn, make the “ decision to delegate this authority down the chain. More often than not, most tasks are completed by the “boss” as it is easier to knock it out rather than hand them down to a subordinate. It is this Chief’s opinion this “savings in time” is at a cost to the professional development and essential growth of future NCOs and the maintenance of our NCO authority. Not sharing the wealth when suspenses allow, levels the playing field. Mid-level NCOs and Airmen are not Chief Master Sgt. Todd Gumprecht 48th CES Being nice…well that’s nice, but there are times when our folks need to be reminded they joined the military. fully engaged in the process and view shop foremen just as they would themselves, thus flattening the grade structure. Delegating work and empowering Airmen at the most junior level appropriate builds authority in the enlisted ranks. Senior airmen are viewed by airmen basics as a work leader, staff sergeants are running work processes solo, master sergeants and technical sergeants have more time to take care of their people’s needs…the owners of the process rather than the executer. When a work environment exists as described above, everyone owns a piece of the pie; they are not being told, they are doing the telling and building authority amongst their peers. Once we have created an atmosphere centered on building individual authority, it is most important we safeguard the integrity of this authority by enforcing basic standards as often as possible. Respect and authority hinges on the enforcement of basic military standards. Customs and courtesies, dress and appearance and military etiquette are the quickest way to build respect and authority and perhaps the fastest way to loose it. Unfortunately, a few NCOs with little or no regard for standards can degrade in weeks what has taken some leaders months if not years to build. NCOs directing a subordinate to get a haircut when they themselves could use one, standing in a crowd of people with their hands buried wrist deep in their pockets, not standing when a superior enters a room, and this last one, using first names regardless of rank, has some personal significance in my Air Force career. In 1982, I addressed my technical sergeant supervisor by his first name after getting comfortable with my first PCS assignment. In an instant his face went from black to near white and he proceeded to give me my first “significant emotional event,” explaining to me how we were not pals, friends or otherwise in fifty words or more. I never forgot that day and vowed never to put myself in a similar situation. Personally, I don’t advocate going off the deep end because someone used my first name, but to this day I hesitate before using any- ” one’s first name—right then and there I learned the definition of respect and whom was in the position of authority. We must remember perceptions are drawn by many on the actions of the few even, if the majority are performing admirably. Responsibility for actions rests with the individual. NCOs must be clear on expectations and hold those below them accountable, not just to protect their own authority, but to protect the authority of the entire NCO corps. Timing is everything and perceptions long lasting. Choosing to delegate the right things at the right time coupled with leadership by example and correcting breaches in standards as often as possible are imperative to NCO respect and authority. Being nice…well that’s nice, but there are times when our folks need to be reminded they joined the military. NCOs need to safeguard our authority at all costs, ensuring we are not inadvertently giving it away by getting away from what has made us what we are today. When I retire, I expect people will hold discussions about “those NCOs in the past decade,” and how “they just don’t make young heroes like that any more.” JUNE 16, 2006 JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 19
By Sal Davidson – Community Relations Adviser Footballmania (Soccermania) hits the UK Many of you have noticed the numerous England flags being displayed from buildings and cars across the area. I am sure you all are aware we are in the midst of a frenzy that strikes the United Kingdom every four years – the World Cup! The FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup captures the imagination of the world arguably more than any other sporting event. From its first tentative tournament in Uruguay in 1930 the competition has grown in prestige and popularity. Since 1930, the 16 tournaments have seen only seven different winners. However, the FIFA World Cup has also been punctuated by dramatic upsets that have helped create footballing history - the United States defeating England in 1950, North Korea’s defeat of Italy in 1966, Cameroon’s emergence in the 1980s and their opening match defeat of the Argentinean cup-holders in 1990. Today, the FIFA World Cup holds the entire global public under its spell. An accumulated audience of over 37 billion people watched the France 98 tournament, including approximately 1.3 billion for the final alone, while over 2.7 million people flocked to watch the 64 matches in the French stadium. After all these years and so many changes, the main focus of the FIFA World Cup remains the same - the glistening golden trophy, which is the embodiment of every footballer’s ambition. The history of football….. some facts It is impossible to say accurately where and when soccer started - but it is reasonable to assume that some type of ball game - from which the organised sport we know today developed - has been played somewhere on the planet for over 3000 years. Britain is the undisputed birthplace of modern soccer/association football. Scotland and England being co-founders of the organised game. Football was a popular sport of the masses from the 8th century onwards. But the game at that time was a war game! There is a story which places the first football game in the east of England - where the locals played ‘football’ with the severed head of a Danish prince they had defeated in battle! In medieval times, towns and villages played against rival towns and villages - and kicking, punching, biting and gouging were allowed. The object of the game was to move the ball to an agreed spot which had been marked out before play commenced. Hundreds of people took part and games could last all day. So violent did these matches become that many attempts were made by the authorities to ban soccer. In England, King Edward III passed laws in 1331 to try and suppress football. In Scotland, King James 1, in 1424, proclaimed in Parliament, “That na man play at the Fute-ball” (No man shall play football/soccer). In 1815, the famous English school, Eton College, established a set of rules which other schools, colleges and universities began to use. Later, these were standardised and a version, known as the Cambridge Rules, was adopted by most of England’s universities and colleges in 1848. But now, football was divided into two separate camps. Some colleges and schools preferred to follow rules drawn up by Rugby School - rules which permitted tripping, shinkicking and carrying the ball - all forbidden by the Cambridge rules. On Oct. 26 1863, eleven London clubs and schools sent their representatives to a meeting in the Freemason’s Tavern to establish a single set of fundamental rules to govern the matches played amongst them. This meeting created The Football Association. The supporters of the Rugby School rules walked out - and On Dec. 8 1863, Association Football and Rugby Football finally split. In 1869 The Football Association Courtesy graphic included in their rules a provision which forbade any handling of the ball - so establishing the foundation on which the modern game stands. The word soccer does not come from the United States but was a term used by public school and university students, most notably at Oxford, in the 19th Century to shorten the new game “Association Football.” The predilection to shorten words with “er” extended to Rugby too, known as rugger. Many of football’s terms and expressions are of military origin: defence, back line, offside, winger, forward, attack, etc. London’s Kensington High Street traffic lights are the inspiration for the red and yellow cards used in today’s game. English referee and then FIFA’s Head of Refereeing Ken Aston was driving through central London thinking of ways to better illustrate a caution or sending off when the change of green to yellow to red of the lights gave him the idea. So there are some of the historical factors that have shaped our modern game. Now back to the present and fingers crossed that our nations’ teams will have a successful World Cup run! JUNE 16, 2006 PAGE 21 JET 48 MAGAZINE
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Class of 2006 dismissed - RAF Lakenheath

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