0430: Marines start PT
0500: Army starts PT
0930: Air Force commander opens barracks window, yells at Army and Marines to keep it down, shuts window, goes back to sleep …. right?  Wrong.

That’s because the previous day the Air Force commander…

1800: Reports to squadron for suiting up
1830: Begins pre-flight checks
1900: Waits for clearance from the tower
2000: Clearance granted
2010: Take off and head toward destination
2200: Refuel
2350: Reach destination
0115: Clearance to engage granted
0130: Target destroyed, RTB
0200: Refuel
0400: Return to base
0430: Post Op check
0500: Debrief
0700: Return home and sleep
0930: Wake up after a couple hours of sleep to yell at the Soldiers and Marines whose asses he just saved.

Best part of fall?  Sam Adams Octoberfest :-) booyah!

I learned a little something about rediscovering my tolerance today.  I kind of wish it didn’t fade away but the return just serves as a reminder to how easily it can be forgotten.

Thanks for reminding me.

This is what I’m going to theorize.  Management is like a hand, there are five important traits.

The pointer finger can be designated for communication.  A manager must be able to effectively communicate ideas and relay other important messages.  We have all experienced the result of poor communication - they lead to missed opportunities and deadlines amongst other things. 

The middle finger is for feedback.  This is too important to just be a sub-category under communication.  A manager should always provide positive reinforcements while fostering growth.  They should do more than just highlight areas for improvement.  The concept of feedback is lost if the only time you hear from your manager is when you’re screwing up.

The ring finger is designated for accountability.  A manager must live up to their standards that they set for others.  A hypocritical manager is a poor manager and will lose the trust of their subordinates rapidly should they choose to set a different standard for themselves than they expect of others.

The pinky finger symbolizes attitude - including ethics. Ethics are behavioral codes and doing what’s right even when no one’s looking and there is no chance of getting caught.  Having a solid moral attitude can benefit the manager’s ability to lead.  Additionally, enthusiastic and energetic managers are also successful because they move their butts and therefore inspire their team to do the same and get the job done efficiently (whatever the job is).  If a manager is stuck in a gloom and doom mood, they aren’t able to empower their teams. 

Lastly but most importantly, the thumb is designated as the leadership trait.  Just like a hand is practically useless without an opposable thumb, a manger’s most useful characteristic is leadership.  I have always harped about this and it is very fundamentally true - Leaders lead people and managers manage things.  People shouldn’t be managed, they are to be lead.  They should be provided tools to lead and eventually lead to their own success and the greater success of the organization they are a part of.  Consequently, a leader possesses the creatively to use all the other finger-traits and motivate themselves and their teams.

Finally, always remember to leave the campground better than you found it. 

If an individual possesses the characteristics and talent desired by the armed services, then by all means, they should be given the opportunity to become a contributing member of the force.  If they’re fully competent in conducting themselves in the professional manner prescribed by the scores of regulations and doctrines then by all means, let them serve.  If they are able to effectively execute the position and successfully lead others then let them.  Being in the military requires an open mind and a sense of duty - to do what’s needed in order to defend the Constitution we have sworn to defend and do so at all times.  That should be a succinct answer to those sitting on the fence and the naysayers.