52nd FW/CC speaks about Culture of Responsible Choices

  • Published
  • By Col. Darryl Roberson
  • 52nd Fighter Wing commander
SPANGDHALEM AIR BASE, GERMANY --  The Air Force launched the Culture of Responsible Choices campaign in 2006 to encourage Airmen to become aware of certain behaviors that can impair mission readiness. The program emphasizes leadership, individual, base and community-level involvement -- underscoring responsible behaviors.

The Air Force has stepped up and said we need to build and be a part of a Culture of Responsible Choices and we Sabers will lead that charge. We have termed our commitment "Saber Choices." The choices we make each and every day, during each moment of our lives are "CORe choices" that we must live with the results of. We are turning our attention to the positive choices we make each and every day.

A recurring theme I've witnessed in my Air Force career, and many of you may have as well, is the age-old adage of "work hard, play hard." In conjunction with the Culture of Responsible Choices program is a cultural shift from 'work hard, play hard' to 'work hard, play smart.' A concept senior leadership is trying to implement Air Force-wide.
The importance of making responsible choices, both in your professional and personal lives shouldn't be anything new or one that would require a universal initiative; however, statistics will show, we are still 'working hard and playing hard.'

Air Force statistics are troubling and the population most at risk comprises junior enlisted Airmen, ages 17 to 24. While comprising only one-third of the total active duty Air Force, they account for 81 percent of the Air Force's alcohol-related incidents.

The Air Force averages 5,300 alcohol-related incidents each year. Irresponsible drinking is a factor in 33 percent of suicides, 57 percent of sexual assaults, 29 percent of domestic violence cases and 44 percent of Class A, fatal, motor vehicle accidents.
In this issue of the Eifel Times, you'll read about similar statistics and incidents where your fellow Airmen did not make the right or responsible choice. You'll review Spangdahlem's ARIs/DUIs for 2006 and see where your fellow Airmen have failed you and the mission.

I hope you have heard me say this before, it takes every single person on this installation to make our mission happen; this incredible combat machine we work on every single day takes the work of everybody doing their part to make it all happen. If we lose one person the mission suffers.

We have the best Airmen here that the Air Force has to offer. We continue to prove it every day and I couldn't be prouder of what all of you are doing. I realize and appreciate all of the hard work as well as the quality of the work you're doing. So keep up the great work, but keep in mind, 'work hard, play smart.' Remember, prepare to fight, fight to win and take care of each other.

(Editor's note: Statistics are courtesy of the Culture of Responsible Choices Web site. For more information, visit http://www.afcrossroads.com/websites/corc.cfm.)