Command chief’s secret to success is don’t quit

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Zirkle
  • 90th Missile Wing command chief
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  I have the privilege of talking to each Airman Leadership School and First Term Airmen Center class at Warren. One question I usually get asked from them is, "What drives you to keep going all these years?"

I'm now in my 29th year of service, and the answer I give is never quit. I have never quit doing what was asked of me -- I've never stopped long enough to even think about quitting. On a similar note, the Winter Olympics started this week, and it's amazing to see those athletes never quit. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing myself to an Olympic athlete. Even when they appear out of the competition, they drive on and don't quit. I look at them and see the same drive and determination I've lived with for the past three decades.

Four years ago, during the women's snowboard cross final race, Lindsey Jacobellis changed leads with her competitors several times, and then she got a lucky break. There was a huge crash that took out almost all of the competitors and left her alone in the lead. All she had to do was cruise across the finish line and collect her gold medal. But no, she had to show off and do a little hot dogging. She decided to do a kickout in the last stretch and fell.

During that time, Tanja Frieden of Switzerland had gotten up, not quitting, and boarded past Ms. Jacobellis to finish first and win the gold medal. Ms. Frieden didn't quit, even when it appeared she was down and out. Ms. Jacobellis eventually did get up, shocked and stunned, and finished in second place.

When you are asked to complete a task, there's never a spot in the training or checklist that has a step labeled "quit here."

I was fortunate to go out and watch some missile maintenance Airmen several months ago. Once the maintenance was complete, the maintainers discovered the launcher closure door wouldn't close properly. A simple metal bar and piston was stuck, and it would not lower into position. Without the bar working, the door wouldn't open. Even though the maintainers put in a full day's work, they didn't look at each other and say, "We quit." Quitting is not an option when doing something as important as putting a weapon system back on alert status.

I'm sure there are hundreds of examples where you can't quit in your job. Our mission depends on everyone getting to the finish line, without hot dogging or showing off.

Every team member must pull their own weight and not quit, not even just a little. That causes the rest of the team to work harder and pick up the slack.

Col. Greg Tims, 90th Missile Wing commander, unveiled the wing's new vision statement recently, which is "Ready to Fight, Anytime, Anywhere." You can't be ready to fight if you're thinking about quitting.

I'm pretty sure as I'm completing my 30th year as an Airman, and right before my retirement ceremony, there will be one last thing I'll have to take care of. I'll have to learn how to turn it off or quit. I can't seem to find the quit button and neither should you.

Stay focused, and stay safe.