News

McMahon urges Airmen to find, suggest better ways

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Robins is not the first base where Maj. Gen. Robert McMahon has served on a team made up largely of civilians.

The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander said at a military "All Call" last week that in such environments Airmen tend to become civilianized in terms of their behavior ... discipline degrades and military customs and courtesies begin to disappear.

He said it should be the other way around. While he said the ALC is blessed to have an outstanding civilian work force, he has different expectations for its military members in great part due to the commitments outlined in their oath of service.

He urged Airmen to share that attitude with their civilian co-workers.

"In a perfect world, I'd like to be able to look at all of our civilians and know they understand and embrace our military ethos and core values. You can help make that happen," he said.

He also said Airmen should be out front.

"No matter what your rank, you are a leader, and I expect you to lead," he added. In discussing the Center's vision to be world class, McMahon had some frank words about the organization's current state of operations.

He compared it to the view of a sled dog which isn't the leading the pack.

"Of the three air logistics centers we are three of three," he said. "That's not the view you want, and that's not the view I want. I'm pounding on your bosses pretty hard to change some of the things we are doing. We deserve better ... more importantly, the warfighter deserves better."

He urged the Airmen not to be shy about finding and suggesting better ways of doing things. He said sometimes things are not done the best way simply because that's the way they've always been done.

"Our behaviors get so ingrained, and we drink enough Kool-Aid that it starts to taste good. We've got to think differently about how we do business," McMahon said.

"Accepting there is a better way is not a challenge to authority," he said. "It's a compliment to authority, because you want to make the organization better."