Where did the good guys go?

The following is e-mail correspondence between Lt Gen Dana Atkins, Alaskan Command commander and an Airman whom he befriended while he served as Wing Commander, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. During that time, the Airman and her husband went through an extremely difficult personal experience and developed a close relationship with then Col Atkins as a result of the support he provided them. After departing Shaw, this Airman family continued to keep in touch through periodic e-mail exchanges. The e-mail below occurred later while then Brig Gen Atkins was the Wing Commander, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan. Throughout the text, Atkins assumes the roles of mentor, father figure and friend. He continues to keep in touch with the Airman to this day. I post this because it's not often that junior enlisted receive this level of support directly from a general officer. There is no perfect approach to mentoring the Airmen we lead; however, there are many options that, when combined by creative, caring leaders, improve the lives of men and women in uniform and, in doing so, improve our Air Force.

Letter from a Concerned Airman
How is Misawa? Busy I'm sure. Lackland is quiet-the air show did not go as planned-the weather wasn't cooperating that day. The baby is moving more than ever and we believe she will be making her grand entrance in a few weeks. Right now I am in training for GeoBase-the future of the Air Force-it's a very interesting course of study.
This update comes with a concern of mine. The question I want to ask has certain significance to it and I feel I can ask this question of you because of your progression and experience throughout your military career. There is much wisdom you can provide and your advice is of value.
Have you ever felt you were losing sight on what your mission in the USAF was? I am feeling that way-my love for the military has not faltered, but there is a feeling of confusion. Where did all of the"good guys" go? I've talked to numerous people (upper and lower ranks) and we wonder why so many don't take time with our young Airmen anymore.The camaraderie seems lost-"we don't know what we're fighting for" is a response I've heard and find quite disturbing. I understand our mission throughout the years has changed, but there seems to be a loss in one's self worth as well. Only a few seem to care at all about the future of our young Airmen and themselves-in my opinion they [Airmen] suffer the most.
Where has my focus gone? This is a question that plagues me... I still work hard and stray not from those values that were instilled in me from Basic Training, and those values are the last of what I cling to for understanding. Just doing the job is not a professional attitude I prefer to take. I know I can rise above this and find the professional attitude that reflects my commitment. I know I can rise above this and find the happiness that once was-at this point I am lost as to how to do that. I guess those things I really didn't pay attention to-I do now. Maturity has set in and I've grown in so many ways-this is my mid-career dilemma-where a young NCO tries to find a place amongst the changing military. But knowing where you fit in, and why, is the big question on my mind. Maybe you could provide me with some words of wisdom-I would really appreciate it!

Reply from then Brig Gen Dana Atkins, 35 FW Commander:

I'm excited by the news of the approaching birth of your daughter-I can't think of two more deserving parents-WOW, is this "girl" lucky. Seems like only yesterday Laura and I ushered in our son, and today he's a sophomore at Clemson University (am I getting old??). Our daughter arrived three years later-she is now a junior in high school (just wait for those days...first boyfriend...proms...and now, a car). Once I had the responsibility of a family, it seems like my perspective on life changed as well. Like you, I questioned life in the military...was it right for me...or more importantly, was it right for my family. Should I subject them to multiple moves-and even more, should I be engaged in a career that placed me in harms way as part of that profession.
The answers were fairly easy-luckily I'm blessed with a very supportive family that endorses what makes me happy-that's being an Airman...a pilot...and an officer. Much of the satisfaction I gain from my profession is working with the caliber of people who constitute our Air Force. We are ethically and morally a cut above-I had the opportunity to work in a factory after high school-we are different in a very good way...and our families are fortunate to be able to have that as their foundation as well.
I don't think I've ever lost sight of the mission of the Air Force, or my specific contribution-and quite frankly, I'm honored to be a part of a winning team. I understand that you question our mission-it is evolving-we are in the midst of both organizational and cultural changes-and the current threat we face is somewhat non-specific...it has no face...it is unpredictable...we're not sure of its origin...and not totally sure of the core intent that fuels the confrontation we currently face. I do know we are here to reinforce the core values that make America so respected, and on the other hand, so chastised by those who can only dream of the perfection this nation epitomizes. We [U.S.]do what we do because it's right...and in the Air Force, we're one of the instruments of power that ensures our own security and national interests, as well as tempers those national actors who would challenge peace, freedom and our way of life. In fact, I can't remember a time when our mission has been more clear-we owe our nation the peace of mind that allows our citizens to conduct their daily lives without the fear of attack and/or reprisal-and in the Air Force, we have both the competency and resources to act quickly and decisively against our present and future foes.
You ask, "Where did the good guys go?" If you ask me, they haven't left. In fact, they're more pervasive now than ever before. We're blessed with outstanding leadership throughout our Air Force-from the very top (CSAF) to the lowest echelons. I often say that due to force structure realignment and manpower reductions, that what's left is all OUTSTANDING. It is a challenge to balance all of the activities that underscore great leadership-perhaps I'm from the old school, because I prefer commanders who get involved with their Airmen-but this is a two-way street-as an Airman, you need to provide feedback to your commanders. If you have specific expectations (just as commanders have expectations of their Airmen), then you should have the willingness to express those expectations-and there are multiple forums for this to occur. I once heard a presentation by CMSAF (ret) Robert Gaylor-it was titled "High Tech, High Touch." Chief Gaylor surmised our own technology evolution has caused us to depart from what was a proven leadership style (i.e., getting out with the troops). We are consumed with our own information technology-we spend countless hours responding and drafting e-mail correspondence-we answer to cellular phones and pagers-commanders have LMRs (Land Mobile Radios)-and now we've introduced the "Personal Data Assistants" (Palm Pilots, Blackberry). I often state that I'm consumed up to 4-5 hours a day just keeping pace with this information exchange. I'm not complaining, but it does place a unique demand on time management. So the "goodness" is still there...maybe even more than ever before...but there are new dimensions that seem to filter our perspectives and priorities.
Spending time with Airmen has to be a facet of your leadership style-I've seen lots of commanders who were absolutely GREAT at this aspect of leadership-and I've seen lots of commanders who were absolutely failures-and guess what...that's the same assessment from myearly days (1972) to current. There will always be good and badexamples-luckily, we have a very good system to weed out the bad ones before they can cause too much damage.
Camaraderie is still a core tenant of our profession of arms-I would challenge you to find another profession that spends more time together with each other-who takes care of each other-who would give the shirtoff their backs to someone in need-we (the profession of arms) own themarket on this one. What I do believe you are witnessing is changing demographics and life style preferences. Most of our bases are now near metropolitan centers that offer lots of alternatives inarts/entertainment, dining, sports, and even continuing educationvenues-and I think you are seeing many of our Airmen selecting thesealternatives over the offering of our own community services. Again,the camaraderie is, and has always, been there-it is only diminished bythe changing life style preferences. Case example is when you go TDY or remote-CAMARADERIE is the lifeblood of that experience. Certainlyliving in San Antonio presents competition to your perspective of camaraderie.
You mentioned a "loss of self-worth." What I think I'm witnessing fromyou is just the opposite-acknowledgment of increased self-worth, andmore importantly challenging yourself to determine how best to serveyour nation, your Air Force, and within weeks, your new family. I'mactually smiling as I reflect on how mature you truly are-think ofit-how many Airmen have the wisdom, maturity and courage to ponder thequestions you've posed. I think you need to acknowledge that you aresomething special-in a very good way. I smile at the prospect ofknowing there will be young Airmen under your supervision who will beblessed by your compassion, wisdom and mentorship.
What you are experiencing is not something new-not something abstract.I guess we could call it the "grass is greener on the other side"syndrome. I've even asked myself many of these questions-challenged myown self-worth-wondered if this was truly my professional path. When Iwas honest with myself I easily realized these questions, theseconcerns, these challenges were not the exclusive domain of the militaryor the Air Force. Individuals in corporate America ask the samequestions-challenge their leadership's commitment-ponder life in adifferent job...a different place...or under different supervision.What sets you and me apart is that we KNOW what is good-we know the corevalues of our Air Force complement our own-that our sacrificescontribute to something a lot larger than the profit margins thatstimulate corporate America-we know the lifestyle we offer our familiesis ethically and morally right-and we are aware that our nation DOEScare about our contributions...our sacrifices...our personal commitmentto our nation's security.
I know the birth of your daughter is just around the corner, but whenshe says, "Mom, I'm really proud of you," it will all be worth thesacrifice. Your family will be your biggest fans and your biggestcritics. When I heard my son and daughter tell me they "were proud,"when I witnessed the pride in my father's eyes at the prospect his sonhad "done good"-it made a difference-it will for you too. I'm not sureI'd have ever received the same confirmation had I chosen another careerpath.
Believe it or not, you and I are not all that different. You careenough to be concerned about the well-being of others over yourself.That aspect of your personality will make a big difference in the yearsahead-so continue to care. You will also reflect on all of the badthings...and surprisingly enough, you will distance yourself and yourorganization from those negative aspects of your career. You will alsoreturn to others what has been provided to you through the course ofyour career-you will make the lives of future Airmen a rewardingjourney-I know you...and I'm absolutely positive you WILL make adifference as your career progresses.
I may not have answered the specifics of your questions, but I'mconfident enough to say again, what you are experiencing is no differentthan others before you. What you ultimately have to answer is "doesstepping aside and doing something different going to be better?"-Ihonestly don't think so-the grass will always look greener on the otherside-the unvarnished fact is that these same questions and concerns arebeing posed by another individual "on the other side"-YES, someone whowants to be in your shoes. I wouldn't take the time I'm taking with youif I didn't truly believe in you-if I didn't think you were right forour Air Force-if I didn't think you would make a difference in the lifeof one of our Airmen...today and in the future. Life seems to be ladenwith challenges...with unknowns...with the prospects of somethinguncertain just around the corner-our measure of merit is how wetransition these chapters of our life. My guess is you and yourhusband, along with your new daughter, can and will make a difference inthe future of the Air Force. Keep asking the hard questions-keepchallenging the status quo-but most importantly, keep what makes you sospecial...professional competence, compassion and caring, wisdom andmaturity, and ultimately, the willingness to make a difference in thelives of those you touch.
Well, hope I didn't ramble too much-and I hope this helps in some smallway. Keep in touch and I'll be waiting for the birth announcement. DT