Foster a culture of excellence

  • Published
  • By Maj. Christopher Lacek
  • 22nd Security Forces Squadron commander
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  I would like to begin with what I was once told, "the hardest thing about being a leader is not what you have to do -- it's getting your personnel to do what you want them to do."

As a leader it is my job to provide the appropriate guidance and atmosphere to ensure we accomplish the mission.

Therefore my philosophy is simple and supports Team McConnell's intent to Foster a Culture of Excellence ... which begins at McConnell's gates.

Your "Defenders" provide the most professional law enforcement, security and customer service to everyone they encounter. Within the 22nd Security Forces Squadron, we have an elite group of defenders working McConnell's Installation Entry Control Points. These members are easily identified by their distinctive uniforms, which if you have been around a little while, were once standard on most installations.

You see, I am a firm believer in the "Back to Basics" motto and how this philosophy dovetails with another of our wing's intents; Develop the Next Generation of Leaders ... We must invest in ourselves and those we work with by getting to really know each other, taking advantage of education and training opportunities, and recognizing our top performers. I am 100 percent confident that a few of the names on the 2025 E-8, Senior Master Sgt., and E-9, Chief Master Sgt., selection list will be the same individuals who greeted you this morning at our main gate!

Excellence and future development would not occur without accomplishing the wing's third intent to Set and Achieve Goals ... successful people know what they want and won't leave their success to chance.

Next time you come through McConnell's gates or come into contact with a member of the 22nd SFS, make sure you take the chance to talk with your Defenders -- Air Mobility Command's Best Medium SF Unit for 2011.

The 22nd SFS will continue to provide Team McConnell with the most professional law enforcement, security, and customer service possible. My squadron is ready to take a leading role in enabling global mobility by supporting AMC's premier Air Mobility tanker wing.