VOL. 46 NO.38 SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 CFC: 2006: A two-minute ‘warming’ By Ann Patton Academy Spirit staff Two minutes a day can help feed the hungry. Two minutes a day can help the sick and injured. Two minutes a day can help put our chil- dren on the right path as respon- sible, caring adults and help their grandparents maintain their inde- pendence. Two minutes of each day’s pay can make miracles and make our community a better place for everyone through the Combined Federal Campaign. The three-week Air Force CFC fund drive officially kicks off Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Academy Officers Club. It is open to all base personnel from Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases as well as the Academy. “The kick off event is essential,” Photo by Troy Garnhart said Lt. Col. Steven Orie, Academy New look big rig admissions director for Region 1 When the Air Force Falcon football team hits the road this season, its equipment gets transported via their new and installation project co-officer. 53-foot full-size trailer, made possible this summer through a corporate sponsorship between the Air Force “It gives contributors and key Academy Athletic Association and Texas Road House. The trailer design is a vinyl wrap provided by the Sign workers an opportunity to hear the Shop of Colorado Springs. It’s attached with more than 6,200 rivets. The trailer has a 13-foot ramp to load and strong CFC support from the base unload the team’s gear by eight to 10 people for each away game. A 1997 Freightliner truck will pull the trailer senior leadership and to interact with 250 miles to Laramie, Wyo., for Saturday’s Mountain West Conference opener against the Cowboys. representatives from over 70 of the charities.” This year’s theme, “Every 1 of Us—Take 2, and Be the Miracle,” is Academy NCO is top Air Force ‘shirt’ built on a sports theme. By executing the campaign with a passionate two- By Butch Wehry residing on base, fewer resources avail- The Air Force’s top “shirt” said being minute drill campaign organizers Academy Spirit staff able to assist people in crisis, mission a first sergeant in today’s Air Force is one hope to connect contributors’ time demands and higher ops tempo.” of the toughest duties during the best of with their deeply held values and The message traffic flitted Air Force- The stress of being in a combat zone times. passion for sports. wide last week: Senior Master Sergeant in Balad also demanded more skills as a “To be effective in today’s Air Force, Master of ceremonies for the Graham Smith, first sergeant and superin- first sergeant, he said. first sergeants have to rely on good leaders ceremony, KRDO’s Jon Karroll, will tendent of the Academy’s Cadet Group 3, There are largely unseen aspects in their units to help them take care of their serve as “referee” as the event is the Air Force’s First Sergeant of the Year. behind being a first sergeant, he said. people,” he said. “It’s a total team effort. unfolds with sports-related activi- The 23-year Air Force NCO was the “Like crisis intervention,” said the No matter how stressed and overloaded ties like a coin toss and scoreboard “first shirt” at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., senior NCO from Lynn, Mass. “Few get first sergeants feel with their workload, we postings. for three years before he went to Kadena to experience what it is like dealing with always seem to find a way to get it done.” Keynote speaker for the kickoff Air Base, Japan. suicide, domestic violence, child abuse, The emphasis on taking care of people is Air Force head football coach “For me personally, serving overseas sexual assault or helping a family deal with has not changed over the years, but more Fisher DeBerry, founder of the Fisher as first sergeant was much more chal- the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, deployment time for everyone has, DeBerry Foundation dedicated to lenging,” said Sergeant Smith, who arrived many people only think the shirt deals with Sergeant Smith said. the support and education of single at the Academy on July 26. “Several discipline, which creates a negative stereo- As a shirt, he has personal priorities. See CFC, Page 4 factors for this is a larger population type.” See SHIRT, Page 4 I N News Feature Sports S Prep schooler ‘Treasure Hunters’ ‘Pop’ returns I rewarded honored to alma mater D Page 3 Page 18 E Page 15 Academy Spirit 2 COMMENTARY September 22, 206 Academy command chief eyes objectives By Chief Master Sgt. Dale R. Buckholtz phases including professional military education, USAFA Command Chief Master Sergeant on-the-job training and civilian courses, among others. My family and I have been here for 60 days, and Speaking of developing our people, I want to we are very impressed with everyone supporting the boast about our enlisted corps. Academy mission. We are equally impressed with I’ve had the privilege of serving in our Air the cadets and the Prep School’s cadet candidates. Force for 23 years, and the enlisted men and women We also look forward to building on the great we have here are the finest in our Air Force. Last relationships with those at the other Colorado week, I spoke at one of our important develop- Springs-area installations, local retirees and key mental programs, the Senior Noncommissioned civic organizations. What a great way to start a new Officer Orientation course. I met 35 of our newest tour! master sergeants and came away inspired with their It is an absolute privilege and honor to serve as enthusiasm and optimism. Between them and the the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the United members of the Cadet Wing, I am confident we are States Air Force Academy. When General Regni in good hands for years to come. phoned and asked us to “consider” the position, we Finally, there are a few “truths” I believe in and were — and remain — humbled. The opportunity that have helped pave my road to success in our Air to interact, mentor and learn with 4,000-plus future Force. We’re looking forward to meeting all our leaders is unmatched anywhere else in our Air Academy teammates. Force. We need not be reminded that our purpose — I believe: our mission — is “to educate, train and inspire • Disagreement is not disrespect, but everybody (these) men and women to become officers of char- needs to be on board once a decision is made. acter, motivated to lead the United States Air Force • I f you’re not working your boss’ agenda, you’re in service to our nation.” working the wrong agenda. With the Academy mission laid out for us, there • Leadership by e-mail isn’t leadership. Photo by Dave Armer are several supporting missions of equal priority • It’s better to go through life spring-loaded to the Academy Command Chief Master Sgt. Dale worth noting. “yes” position than the “no” position. Buckholtz addresses the senior NCO induction First, it’s every person’s responsibility to seek • Base housing appearance is a litmus test for excel- ceremony gathering Sept. 1 at the officers’ club. out our next “challenge” and disrupt its growth lence. before it becomes a major issue. Not an easy task, • The appearance of an impropriety is an impro- state. but I’m a firm believer that there’s one sure way to priety. • I can make mistakes. tackle this – be visible, talk to our people, earn their • If you’re in the Air Force, then every Air Force • You are never as good as you think you are. trust and let them know we care about them and our problem is your problem. • Sometimes the solution is simple: you have to institution. The best way to ensure things remain • You need to think in terms of we, us and ours — work harder. smooth is to always stay in touch. not I, me and mine. • Our new Airmen are better today than they were Second, ensure our Airmen are ready to execute • You can’t be a good wingman if you’re not physi- when I was young. the global war on terrorism. We have people around cally fit. • We are not a one-mistake Air Force, but we are a the Academy deploying in support of this mission. • You should never bring your boss a problem unless one-crime Air Force. Making sure they are prepared and their families you also bring a solution. • You should treat everyone with dignity and respect will be supported in their absence is a critical • Ninety percent of all problems can be solved with unless their actions dictate otherwise. mission with zero room for error. leadership and the other 10 percent can be solved • Our Air Force senior leaders care more about our Lastly, we need to continue to develop our with hard work. Airmen’s welfare than they do their own. people. As our Air Force transforms, it becomes • Anything of importance can be written on one • We’re winning the Global War on Terrorism. paramount for us to be the best technicians and the page. • My two most important titles will always be best leaders. We do this through multiple education • Our current ops tempo isn’t a surge, it’s our steady husband and father. Unattended Personal Property • Security is of primary concern at every military installation and is no different here in the Cadet Wing.