Dover seems to have figured out "What's Wrong w/the Air Force..."
(the bold/caps/exclamations are original, not added)
Commentary 5/13/2014 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- We have all checked out a rental car and thought 'it's just a rental'. Some drive it differently, park it in the tight parking spots without a care about door dings and could never imagine taking it to a car wash. As we turn it in with the gas gauge just below full, having skidded the tires around a few corners, or spilled food on the passenger seat we hope no one will notice these defects and hold us responsible. The responsibility for our judgment and actions is with the OWNER, not the borrower, right?
Service to our nation has many parallels to the rental car. You sign your name on the line to commit to a "contract" in the form of a service commitment, contract, or oath. Rather than paying for the car, you venture out with the "vehicle" earning a salary, using supplies and necessary equipment all paid for with tax dollars. You turn your vehicle back in at the end of your commitment and hope that the OWNER can repair the flaws and hidden defects you have left in your wake. If you have chosen to borrow that vehicle for many years you are given loyalty reward points, paid in the form of a retirement check and health benefits. You have been given a responsibility to take care of borrowed property - our nations trust and expectation of a professional, well trained, and responsible military force...TAKE OWNERSHIP of that responsibility! Change the car from a rental to a purchase.
First, buy a well-built, reliable "car"- the core values should serve as this basis for you. Next, keep your engine running at peak performance by exercising, eating healthy, and getting adequate rest. Keep it clean and polished by adhering to dress and personal appearance standards - if the fender of our car was beat up or rusted we would replace it. We need to do the same with our uniforms and professional equipment.
Okay, okay - enough car analogies. Show up to where you work with a sense of pride in yourself and the place you work. If you see a problem, fix it. If you see garbage on the side of the sidewalk or an overflowing trash can, they will not fix themselves - you are the OWNER. If you see a process that can be improved and more efficient or effective - come up with a plan, pass it through the appropriate channels and make the change - OWN it. If you see someone else not abiding by the high standards we expect - confront them. Learn the standards, abide by the standards and enforce the standards.
I've highlighted the word OWNER quite a few times in this article. I can't emphasize this enough. As our service goes through numerous force shaping programs, you as an Airman or civilian, employed in the support of the greatest military force in the world, must think as an owner of that service rather than as a borrower!