Save the Planet ... Go Blue!

  • Published
  • By Col. Kimberley Cox
  • 39th Medical Group commander
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  We live in a world which bombards us with information on improving our lives, professions, relationships and our bodies, just to name a few. 

There are television programs that speak to everything from financial management to designing our homes and gardens. 

Saving the environment and the planet is a popular theme. There are products, campaigns, and initiatives that urge us to "Go Green" and they don't mean joining the Army. 

But I would rather save the environment and "Go Blue"... Air Force Blue that is. 

With so many things to improve, I think it is always important to prioritize. 

As much as we have information to assist us in improving so many aspects of our personal and professional lives, we often do not have time or resources to make it all happen. 

In spite of this, I believe as Airmen we have an advantage. We have a set of values consistent with "saving the environment and saving the planet" to frame our prioritization.
We already serve our nation before serving ourselves; and with that we are exactly the type people who comply with standards from a host of origins and agencies. 

We also would not wear the blue uniform if we did not strive for excellence. Not only do we meet standards, we exceed them! We strive to improve our fitness, our health, our relationships and our work! 

We ensure that we are excellent managers and stewards of our nation's resources, from people to buildings to finances. And because we have integrity we are forthright, honest, and open in communicating with our colleagues and leaders to ensure Team Incirlik is an environmentally safe and healthy place to work and live. 

So take pride in your surroundings --keep it clean, alert appropriate agencies when problems occur in our buildings and take care of each other. 

If we are "Blue" we embrace our core values. We can balance the demands of life and we can improve management, meet compliance standards, develop sound supporting financial programs for funding requirements, and help our leaders assess the status of their Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health Programs. 

We welcome the 2008 ESOHCAMP assessment. "Go Blue!"