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I'm dispensable … and proud of it!

  • Published
  • By Col. Hal Rice
  • 305th Operations Group
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  Sure, throw me away, the ops group can take it. If I were to disappear tomorrow, of course there'd be some "transition turmoil," but the 305th Operations Group would continue to pass gas and haul assets all the same. It would sally forth with the guidance of my able deputy or an up-and-coming squadron commander until a boarded commander was brought in ... I'm dispensable! Oh, by the way, it doesn't mean I'm not a valuable, contributing member of the "Can Do" team (Ok, you be the judge ...) No, I offer my talents to help the unit organize, train and equip Airmen to conduct airlift/air refueling operations worldwide. However, I never want to be indispensable. In fact, if the group couldn't run without me (what a heady thought!), I'd consider myself a failure as a leader. Let me explain ... 

In Jim Collin's book Good to Great, he found that leadership in the "greatest" companies in recent U.S. history set up their successors for even greater success in the next generation. This is partially how they earned the stamp "great." Therefore, I figured if I wanted all the blood, sweat and tears I've poured into the 305th to be worth anything after tomorrow, if I want Air Force operations to continue to prosper, I need to ensure my Air Force successors (bosses, peers and subordinates alike) are set up for future success. Who will replace me? Who will be the next Airman to help this unit/any unit organize, train and equip to do a mission? I have no idea ... that's partially the point. If the Air Force is to remain a powerhouse well into the future, the preparation/training/education of all those Airmen coming after us starts now, with you and me. 

How do we prep our successors for even greater success in the future? There's the tried and true methods of pushing Professional Military Education and advanced academic degrees. Those are easy, any education is good education. How about the more difficult, time consuming, one-on-one methods such as mentoring, counseling and leading by example? These are given a lot of lip service, but practicing what's preached can be trying. So try them. Take the time to help your peers and/or subordinates study anything -- help those around you become educated in more than just one specialty. Take the time to do PT with peers and/or subordinates -- a healthy Airman is more efficient and effective at everything! Take the time to invite one of your subordinates to a meeting they helped prep for -- let them see the "bigger picture," let them see and understand how what they do fits into the Air Force puzzle. Tell your peers/subordinates stories of your mistakes and lesson's learned -- we all make them, so let our lessons prevent someone else's mistake. Spread your personal wealth of knowledge to those around you -- it'll help prep your successors, and it'll all but guarantee the future success of your section, unit, group, wing and Air Force. 

There's always room for improvement, but I try very hard to accomplish what I just preached. On a daily basis, I witness other members of my ops team doing the same. Having been in the Air Force for a short 24 years, I'd even argue that our Air Force is the best in the world because the "prepping our successors" mindset is prevalent throughout our service. That's why I know there are extremely capable Airmen prepped and ready to take on any challenge my group will ever have. I can honestly say I feel dispensable, and I'm extremely proud of it! Are you dispensable?