Attitude is everything Published Jan. 14, 2011 By Lt. Col. Diana Hajek 30th Weather Squadron commander VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- People are the greatest asset in our United States Air Force. General Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, stated, "While advanced technology underpins our progress, it is the noble efforts of our Airmen that inspire our success. They are committed, creative, and focused; and collectively, Airmen comprise the most respected, most formidable air force that the world has ever known." I've personally witnessed amazing efforts by Vandenberg Airmen and beamed with pride at the phenomenal results such as every successful launch and our "Excellent" Air Force Space Command 2010 Operational Readiness Inspection rating, but I always ask myself, how can we make our Air Force even better? I think the answer lies in the simple phrase, "attitude is everything". My Aunt Mary, who always said her goal was to make it to 100 years old just met her goal last month, has no doubt about it. She persevered through a century of monumental changes in her personal life and the world around her and yet is one of the most spirited people I've ever met. I can only hope I have as much spirit as my aunt when I'm half her age and have always strived to look forward and think optimistically, especially when encountering difficult situations. When I first took command, our primary weather system was shut down due to information assurance concerns. Fortunately, our legacy system was still functioning, but we went from driving a Cadillac to riding a 1940's bicycle whose chain would fall off every quarter-mile and we had to stop and put it back on before we could ride again. We still had to support operations, so our unit found a way to make the best use of our 1940's bicycle until our Cadillac was returned. Their positive attitude and innovation made it all happen with the least amount of risk possible to the Western Range. Later last year, our unit received heartbreaking news for several families all within the same month. First, a squadron member's mother passed away. Next, another member's 3-year-old son was diagnosed with brain cancer. Then, another member's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Finally, another member was sent to the hospital in an ambulance for heart problems. We also had two members just move due to a permanent change in station without getting any backfills so our manning was low on top of everything else. Since we still had a mission to accomplish, we surged to support operations. Everyone had a can-do attitude and we took things day by day since we didn't know what to expect. As a result, we were able to take care of the families and still get the job done. There will always be challenges to face, but you, and only you, have the power to control how you react. An Oct. 27, 2010, article in the Christian Science Monitor reports that the Air Force ranks fifth, and first within the Department of Defense, on a recent survey of the most "blissful" places to work. Do you agree with this? If not, please try to look at the glass as half full rather than half empty and find a way to make it blissful for you and those around you each and every day. Remember, as my Aunt Mary said, attitude is everything.