Change is inevitable: Embrace it

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Peri Rogowski
  • 445th Airlift Wing Command Chief
Think back to your life before September 11, 2001. Everything about our world was different. Change was somehow more manageable and predictable. Now, change is what we have come to expect on a daily basis and not just in our global environment, but change in our military capabilities and capacities as well.

Managing change in uncertain times is probably one of the most challenging expectations known to us. When you think about it in the most simplistic yet complex manner, when we don't know what changes are coming how can we possibly be able to manage what we don't know will exist? Good question.

Some think more philosophically and say the answers are to be resilient, flexible and focused, I agree, but add that staying educated and providing suggestions for improvement are also critically important.

Staying informed and where you gather your information from is key. Making recommendations to the proper influential decision makers is also important. By becoming part of the solution and not part of the problem, people feel more empowered to effectively help change through its most difficult milestones.

Ignoring change or thinking that it just won't happen isn't going to stop it from happening - it's just going to make you more anxious. Keeping up with changes and the rationale behind the changes is what is important. Some changes SHOULD be made and helping to understand it is the first step toward acceptance.

You will hear and see a lot in the next several months about how we can run our military more efficiently. I ask you to take the time and use your civilian insight as reservists and make suggestions.

There's more than one way to do almost everything. Be proactive, stay informed and remain focused and resilient. Try not to become overwhelmed or negative, but if you feel you are, talk to someone that can help you regain your confidence.

Changes are always hard, but more changes can also happen down the road to reduce the impact that decisions made now might not yield the expected results, so while a decision might be made today, it can be changed in the future.
 
We live in the greatest nation in the world and belong to the greatest Air Force. Be proud of being an Airman and stay strong for our future