NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.”
“Team” is one small word that can make a big difference. No matter where you are, no matter what you do, you cannot do great things without a great team supporting you. I am very fortunate to have served on many teams in the world’s greatest Air Force for 16 years. I have also been very fortunate to lead many teams along the way.
More recently, I have been very proud to serve with my Wing Chaplain and lead the Nellis Chapel team through last year’s Unit Effectiveness Inspection. There was one particular week that I am very proud of last year. The Chaplain Assistants and I called that week “Spartan Week.” We were behind on key areas for the inspection and I knew that we needed to get ahead somehow of what we normally do throughout the week (i.e. crisis interventions, unit ministries, chaplain counseling requests, GPC purchases, background checks, facility requests, invocation requests, facility work orders, annual training, self-inspections, and various suspenses due to outside agencies). I told my team that we were going to work long hours with key milestones to reach each day.
Together. Some days were very long, but we were together. No one left until the last member was done. If one member needed help, we worked through it and used each other’s strength to get it done.
Everyone. Everyone was gainfully employed and knew the specific task that needed to be accomplished. Everyone understood the consequence of not completing the task. Everyone was sold on the goal of getting it done.
Achieves. Together, we achieved significant headway that enabled us to get closer to our objective. We achieved a greater understanding of who we are and what each of us brings to the fight. We earned the respect and trust of each other as we knew we could count on each other.
More. Together, we had more as long as we stayed together. Sometimes, this meant more irritation at times as we saw each other’s weaknesses and aggravations. We learned to be more patient and more understanding. We also had more faith and trust in each other. We accomplished more together and gave it our all.
In the end, the Nellis Chapel team received a “Superior Performance Team” rating and was one of three organizations in the wing rated “Highly Effective” by the Air Combat Command Inspector General team. I have never been more proud of an organization, and the best part is that the story is not over! In many it has only begun.
So when you drop by the chapel or need a helping hand, just know that your Nellis Chapel team is here for you and your family. We are proud to serve you with highly effective and superior performing service of care for your spiritual needs.
