Routines and Readiness go hand-in-hand Published Dec. 7, 2007 By Lt. Col. Joseph Angel 728th Air Mobility Commander INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Routines are easy to fall into when we're not forward deployed but we always must be prepared for contingencies as we never know what the day may bring. Six years ago on a sunny Tuesday morning, I was involved in my usual routine: up and out the door at 6 a.m., into the office, grab a cup of coffee and continue with my day. The morning began like any other working at the air staff in the Pentagon, but soon a phone call alerted the office that something was different. We gathered around a television to see what was going on in New York City when a few minutes later, a large concussion and blast jolted us into a new reality. Its times like these when training and instinct must kick-in. We don't have time to wonder if we're physically ready to respond to a contingency, if our family knows what to do in our absence or what is required of us. How much of a routine are you in? What if the mission dictated you not return to your quarters for days or weeks? We must ensure our families, and work-centers are ready. We all have personnal readiness training to accomplish but do we just "pencil-whip" it, or do we take time to see how this training fits into the larger picture? Between expeditionary training, medical and skill-set training and readiness events, it is easy to fall into the routine of plunking through computer-based training and thinking this is all it takes. We must go a step further, put the training into context and make it our own. Personal Readiness: We must be physically and mentally ready to accomplish the mission. Humanitarian crises and wars often occur without a moment's notice. We must be fit to fight. The key to personal readiness is being proactive and taking the time to ensure we are physically and mentally ready for whatever may come. Family Readiness: Families must be ready to act when duty, hostile action or an accident takes the active-duty member out of the picture. Noncombatant evacuation folders must be up to date. "Bug-out" kits need to be readied and the whereabouts of critical documents should be known to key family members. Dependent care plans must be up-to-date and our families need to know where to seek assistance and what to expect if we deploy. Professional Readiness: Active-duty members also must be ready to do more than just their primary skill-set. Do a gut-check: do you know how to take over for the person you report to if needed? Our history as a wing proves we must be ready -- whether for response to earthquakes, assisting with noncombatant evacuation operations or any other contingency response. There is no better time than now to ask ourselves if we're ready. If not, we need to prepare. There are plenty of personal, family and professional readiness avenues within our community to take advantage of. For example, the Health and Wellness Center provides valuable personal readiness information and fitness assistance. Another helpful organization is the 39th Mission Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center. Whether single or married, the AFRC can provide invaluable readiness assistance, education and information before a situation arises. Supervisors, training managers, flight commanders, first sergeants and squadron commanders are also here to direct and assist readiness. Don't get so involved in your usual routine that you're unable or unprepared to react in the event of a crisis. Have a safe and Merry Christmas.