Force Support Squadron stands up CMSAF VISIT - San Antonio News

PAGE 4 TALESPINNERJULY 17, 2009COMMENTARYThe hardest thing I’ve ever doneBy Lt. Col. Enrique Gwin326th Training Squadron“That was the hardest thing I’ve everdone,” is a common phrase. We seem tospend most of our lives in search of agoal; once we reach that goal, however,we become restless and ready for thenext challenge.Maybe the journey is really moreenjoyable than the accomplishment of thegoal.That might explain why we in the militaryfrequently change our “hardestthing ever done.” I recently briefed oneBy Master Sgt. Eric Culver37th Mission Support SquadronJust how important is havinga family care plan? That wasthe question I asked myself as Iassumed the duties of ourdeployed first sergeant.After being in the seat amonth, I can now answer thequestion with clarity: the familycare plan is a vital part of ourAirmen being able to successfullycarry out the Air Force mission.Our Operations Tempo is atan all-time high. Airmen can becalled on, at a moment’s notice,to carry out the Air Force’s mission.Focusing on the task at handis difficult enough and the lastof my Airmen who built up the nerve tojump from an airplane (with an instructor,of course). That appeared to be thebiggest hurdle she ever faced, until shethen decided to seek her own jump qualification.The Air Force offers experiences andopportunities few in our society can everhope to have. I suggest we enjoy the ride.We are a very goal oriented group, butdon’t forget to squeeze every drop fromthe journey. Set small goals and achievethem; then pick another.These goals don’t have to be your own.Adopt the goals of your peers or yourthing Airmen warriors need isto worry about the well being offamily members while deployed,away on a temporary dutyassignment or some otherunplanned event. Without thatsecurity, our heads will not be inthe game and the mission willsuffer. This is why understandingthe intent and goal of thefamily care plan is important.Air Force Instruction 36-2908 directs that all Air Forcemembers with families will havefamily care arrangements thatcover all situations both shortand long term.However, only single parentmembers, military married tomilitary with family members,and civilian spouses who haveunique family situations asdetermined by the first sergeantand the commander must havea written family care plan onfile.The written family care plancontains pertinent informationthat is documented on AF Form357, Family Care Certificationwith attachments.Attachments include powersof attorney, AF Form 357Continuation Sheets, and mapsto and from people listed asemergency contacts.Members must be ready toexercise their plan. Doing sowill ensure that each member isready and willing to accomplishthe Air Force mission withoutworrying about their families’care and well being.What should you considerorganization, and find a way to helpthem succeed. I find sharing in theaccomplishments of others is as beneficialto me as attaining my own.Imagine yourself at the end of a fullmilitary career. What do you want to beable to look back on? Use those longtermgoals, build some intermediatemilestones, and get started achievingthem.I tell our basic trainees if their “hardestthing I’ve ever done” hasn’t changedsince they entered, we’ve probably wastedour time. What will you do with thetime you are given?Family care plans key to readinessCOMMANDER’S ACTION LINEBrig. Gen.Len PatrickTo submit an ActionLine, e-mail the 37thTraining Wing atactionline@lackland.af.mil.For concerns regardingthe Wilford Hall MedicalCenter, contact the WilfordHall Action Line at 292-4567, or e-mail 59mdw.pa@lackland.af.mil.The 37th Training WingAction Line is your directcommunication line to the37th Training Wing commander.It is an avenue toresolve issues if you havebeen unable to resolvethem through the responsibleagency or your chain ofcommand, or provide feedback.It also allows you to recognizeoutstanding peopleand units.Items of general interestmay be printed in theLackland Talespinner.If you leave your namewhen making a plan for yourfamily?First, consider the health ofyour spouse. Who will care forher or the children if somethinghappens? What if there is anaccident? What if the people Ihave counted on in my plan arenot available? The “what ifs”are countless.The most important thing isto have a plan. Do not leave it tochance. Having a plan in placewill give you the assurance thatyou’ve done everything you canfor the most precious people inyour lives and allow you tofocus on accomplishing the missionand returning home safely.For more information, referto AFI 36-2908 or contact yourfirst sergeant.and telephone number, ore-mail address, you’llreceive a reply.Including your contactinformation will also giveus a chance to get moreinformation, if needed, tosolve the problem.Anonymous inquirieswill not be published.Editorial staffBRIG. GEN. LEN PATRICK,37TH TRAINING WINGCOMMANDERKIRK FRADY,DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRSJOE BELA,CHIEF OF INTERNALCOMMUNICATIONS, 671-4111SHANNON CARABAJAL,MANAGING EDITOR, 671-1786MIKE JOSEPH,STAFF WRITER, 671-4357PATRICK DESMOND,SPORTS EDITOR/STAFF WRITER,671-5049PAUL NOVAK,DESIGN/LAYOUT, 671-0478Office:1701 Kenly Ave. Suite 102Lackland AFB, Texas78236-5103(210) 671-1786;(fax) 671-2022E-mail: talespinner@lackland.af.milCommander’s Action Line:actionline@lackland. af.mil.Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS)For advertising information:Prime Time Military Newspapers2203 S. HackberrySan Antonio, Texas 78210(210) 534-8848(fax) 534-7134This newspaper is published byPrime Time Military Newspapers, aprivate firm in no way connected withthe U.S. Air Force, under exclusivewritten contract with Lackland AFB,Texas. This commercial enterprise AirForce newspaper is an authorizedpublication for members of the U.S.military services. Contents of theTalespinner are not necessarily theofficial views of, or endorsed by, theU.S. government, the Department ofDefense, or the Department of the AirForce.The appearance of advertising inthis publication, including inserts orsupplements, does not constituteendorsement by the Department ofDefense, the Department of the AirForce or Prime Time MilitaryNewspapers, of the products or servicesadvertised.Everything advertised in thispublication shall be made available forpurchase, use or patronage withoutregard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, marital status,physical handicap, political affiliation,or any other nonmerit factor of thepurchaser, user or patron.Editorial content is edited,prepared and provided by the PublicAffairs Office of the 37th Training Wing.All photos, unless otherwise indicated,are U.S. Air Force photos.Deadline for submissions isnoon Thursday the week prior topublication.