Lights, cameras, courage

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Arvin
  • 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron Chief Enlisted Manager
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO. --  Most of us may never be the action hero of the silver screen or have our name up in lights. But, we can all be heroes of action in our daily duties and to those around us. With a little courage, daunting tasks have been completed throughout history with incalculable results.

The Professional Development Guide lists courage as a leadership quality and defines it as acting and doing the right thing. While I completely agree, I also believe courage can be further expanded to three key elements.

Courage is first, having a vision of what needs to be accomplished and what actions need to be taken to complete the vision. Next, is doing the right thing not only in terms of a legal or ethical point of view but doing what is best for the organization and making the right choices. Last but not least, is having the mental capacity and physical stamina to complete the mission or task. During the short history of our nation, we have had hundreds of thousands of courageous men and women who have exhibited these key elements.

Topping my list of leadership and courage by example are our wartime presidents. Gen. George Washington, Continental Army commander, being one of my favorites. But, what courage did Washington display? Breaking down the elements, Washington's vision was to gain independence for the United States by driving the British from our soil. He knew this was the right thing to do, and he made the right choices as commander. As the newly appointed commander of the Continental Army, Washington had to raise an army from scratch with little funding and great opposition.

After raising the new army, Washington remained in the field and fought the British for six long years under harsh conditions and only made one trip home to visit his wife during the war. Six years in the field required the highest caliber of mental capacity and physical stamina.

As we all know, Washington was also this nation's first president and served eight years. Washington was charged with enacting a governing system and setting precedents for the presidential office which are still in use today. The valiant courage and leadership displayed by Washington gained us independence and forged our nation.

Fortunately, today we do not need to raise an army from scratch to protect our nation or gain independence. I would not ask you to spend six years away from home fighting in a war and none of us have done this during one time frame.

What I would ask is for you to have courage and give some thought to the elements noted. Do you know the wing's vision? Do you know your unit's vision? Where do you fit into both? Do you have a vision of your own and know the desired outcome? Are you making the right choices on- and off-duty every day to further your organization and personal goals? Do you do the right thing in all you do? Lastly, do you have the mental capacity and physical stamina as displayed by Washington? Will you be ready, able and willing when the call comes?

Although we may never measure up to the fame of Washington or have our name written on the pages of history like him, we can all strive to attain the courage he displayed. I challenge you to have vision, do the right thing and have the mental and physical drive to press forward. Washington expects us to be good stewards and courageously preserve the nation he left. What will you do?