Leadership, Warchickens and Turkey

Last month, I transferred back to my original squadron... I am now the non-commissioned officer in charge of my shop at the 480th. We're known as the Warhawks. I've got three "troops" that I supervise. I call them my Warchickens. As with everything that isn't brand new, there is history behind each of them. I wanted to create a "family" within my office, and I hope that they're not offended by my attempt at doing so. Leadership is so much like parenting! I've often found myself thinking "how would I handle this situation if it were my own kids at home?" And I find myself talking to my troops as if they really were my children! How do I "raise" them to be responsible, integrity driven individuals?

I used to be a Warchicken! (well... back when I belonged to that squadron, we were known as the 22d Fighter Squadron, Stingers...) However, at that time, I wasn't an NCOIC. I was just a troop... a paper pusher... a pilot babysitter. I swept problems under the rug, played stupid more often than not, and surfed the net way more than I should have! I did pay attention when it was necessary though.

Really glad I paid attention when it counted! As a leader, I have to be the example to my troops. I can't afford to sweep things under the rug because I'm the one who is accountable for everything (including THEIR mistakes!) It's very stressful... but it's a good stress. These kids push me every day to give it my all. I don't want to let them down, I don't want to let my leadership down... and most of all, I don't want to let myself down.

We're gearing up for a little "business trip" to Turkey. I'm SO excited, I can hardly contain myself. I know that this trip can't possibly top the experiences I had the last time I was there.... but I'm so anxious to get back and be with my friends that I met when I was there in 2008. Salih, Tolga and Ozgur were a wonderful threesome of guys who hung out with me, Rebecca, Dave, Gary and Christina every day for almost 2 weeks. They were generous Turks who took us to restaurants, museums, local hang-outs, language schools, race tracks... they made dinner for us. The night before we left Turkey, they dropped us off at the hotel for the last time and we embraced and shed a lot of tears. Some experiences in life are simply indescribable. Some experiences in life, you just have to be there in person for to truly understand. Turkey, 2008 was one of them.

My life is busy. Busier than it has been since we added Victoria to our brood. I keep pushing forward, and I think I'm walking a bit taller knowing that at the end of a 10 hour shift at work, I've accomplished way more than I used to. Glory be to God for blessing me...