'A job worth doing is a job worth doing right'

Published Sept. 28, 2010
By Lt. Col. Chuck Vogt
Former 30th Operations Support Squadron commander

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Not too long ago I drove my son home after a swim practice and he asked to stop for a hamburger. So, we pulled into a drive-in along the way and ordered a burger. Price came to $2.99. I gave the cash register attendant three dollars and he gave me my change...a penny. When I looked at the penny for a moment as I prepared to throw it in the "give a penny and take a penny" cup at the register, I realized I received a Canadian penny.

I quickly pondered the situation and asked myself, "This coin has no value in the United States, should I accept it?" Then my next thought, "If somebody took this coin from the penny cup to complete a transaction, would the drive-in's manager accept it as payment?" My answer to both was "no." In this transaction the penny was nothing more than a button, a bottle cap or a piece of pocket lint; it lacked value.

So, naturally I took the next logical step, which mortified my son, and asked the individual at the register, "Why did you give me a Canadian penny?"

He replied, "Would you like me to give you a different one?"

At this point I knew the conversation was over. I realized he didn't understand my question. He lacked the motivation to ensure he infused value in his work, even in the smallest of tasks. If he understood his role in this transaction, he would have realized the coin he returned had no value.

Fast forward to today, as the 30th Space Wing prepares for Unit Compliance and Operational Readiness Inspections, ask yourself this question, "Am I doing the best I can in the small tasks to ensure the wing is ready for inspection?"

I believe we as Airmen have two obligations in preparing for success. First, Airmen must search for and demand of themselves value in every task performed. "Excellence in all we do" is one-third of the Airman's core value set. The Air Force as an institution demands excellence of its Airmen in the products and services they provide, the operations they conduct, the resources they steward, the community they live in and the personal life they lead. Often critical results impacting national security and human life rest in the balance and the Air Force cannot afford less than an Airman's best. There are few people in the world today who can claim they embrace and are held to excellence at such a high level, but Airmen can. Airmen are trusted to protect national security in Afghanistan and Iraq, provide humanitarian relief in Haiti or build a house in Santa Maria for a family needing a home. We have to demand from ourselves value in what we provide as Airmen.

As well, Airmen must demand value from other Airman. The individual who asks a supervisor, "Do you want me to redo this project?" after critical feedback is missing the point. Demanding excellence drives the response, "I want you to do it right!" Certainly there has to be room for learning and mentoring in many of the tasks we perform; it's called "OJT", or on-the-job-training. However seeming mundane tasks such as properly completing a leave form or accurately typing a signature block are in reality filled with value. Airmen must hold Airman accountable to a standard for discipline's sake; a job worth doing is a job worth doing right. Airmen must be demanding customers. If they are not then whatever they accept becomes the new standard.

The Airman's Creed was introduced in 2007, to remind Air Force members of the worth and value they bring to their service. It begins by stating who an Airman is, "a warrior." The creed reminds Airmen of the service rendered previously by Airmen, "a tradition of honor, a legacy of valor." It defines the Airman's mission, "fly, fight and win." The creed clarifies the Airman's obligation of service, "I defend my country with my life." Finally, it captures the Airman's commitment to other Airmen and the drive to succeed, "I will not fail."

"The contribution of every Airman brings American military might to bear..." said Gen T. Michael Mosley, former Air Force Chief of Staff, about the Airman's Creed, which he rolled out.

Clearly, every Airman is expected to make a valuable contribution to the Air Force's mission. The expectation of the nation on its fighting forces is the same. The Airman's challenge is sustaining a laser focus on infusing value in every task performed and demanding the same from Airmen. The Airman's commitment to excellence must reflect Admiral John Paul Jones words: "I cannot trifle with my honor."

The wing's inspection is only days away. The next deployment tasking may be yours or mine. Are we demanding value from ourselves and other Airmen to ensure we meet our commitments with excellence? We cannot afford to accept a Canadian penny.