TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- "Excellence in all we do"- our third core value and one that I believe we exemplify here at Hulman Field. I think it is much easier to do excellent things when you are surrounded by good attitudes and excellent people. Like all of the core values we must live by them daily, at home or at work, and truly make them part of our lifestyle.
So what are some ways we can strive to keep up our excellent reputation? Be proficient in your job, be familiar with the regulations, keep up your civilian and military educations, stay current on training so that you are deployable, and the list goes on. It's tough to keep all the squares checked for the folks who are full time here and almost impossible for the traditional guardsman. I am one of the few traditional Chiefs here on base, and I understand the importance of time management.
One way to help manage this endless list is something no one wants to hear- take your work home. I know what you're thinking, and yes, I have a life too, but it's pretty obvious we just can't get it all done in the two days over drill. One thing that has helped me the most is to set up access to my military e-mail account from home. Just keeping up with e-mail between UTAs is a big help and makes me better prepared on Saturday morning. Doing the bookwork at home, CDCs, on line classes, and the CBTs that are accessible are all ways to help add available time to your UTA. I know it's tough, and I don't advocate hours and hours of your home life be dedicated to guard work, but just a few hours a week, or month, will help lighten the load for the UTA. I can usually get more guard work done in the winter months.
Time management, during the UTA is very important in keeping up with requirements. List your priorities, must do, need to do, like to do, and start down the list with a sense of urgency. If you have been out here for a while, you may remember that term. When you feel caught up and you think you are ahead of the game, talk to your supervisor they will bring you back to reality. One thing we don't want to forget when we come to drill is to take the time to talk to one another. Part of our must do list is to communicate with our peers. Sure we can talk about business but let's also talk about kids, sports, hunting, and life. For some of us we only see each other two days a month and that's not much time to stay connected. It is especially important for everyone to talk and ask questions about each other's lives so that hardships or serious problems can be brought to light and worked out as soon as possible. If someone seems to be acting a little different don't let it go, look into it.
Keep up the good work! Think safety as we head into summer and the many activities warm weather brings. Remember, we should all know by now how to eat an elephant. One bite at a time!