Commitment separates success from failure Published Dec. 5, 2006 By Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin Creger 39th Communications Squadron superintendent INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Squadron restructuring, Air Force Smart Operations, manpower cuts, deployments and our changing global environment all require adaptation across the Air Force. Right now at Incirlik, we have a lot on our plate ... and with a unit compliance inspection only five months away and bilateral training deployments potentially just over a month off, we are faced with some daunting tasks. How will we keep our edge in the face of so much change and yet continue to meet demands across the Air Force and in particular at Incirlik? There are many factors, but to me, commitment is what separates success from failure. We've all demonstrated commitment to our country by virtue of voluntarily joining to serve. Our commitment to the mission is demonstrated by our many Team Incirlik successes over the past year; sustained OIF, OEF cargo hub and air refueling success, base-wide involvement in the American citizens leaving Lebanon, followed closely by the best Incirlik Surety Inspection results in 12 years. Organizational commitment can be seen everywhere during the holiday season as units band together to host holiday feasts and forward our best of the best performers for base and functional-level awards. We have a lot to be proud of here at Incirlik. Sometimes in the midst of all that's going on at work, we fail to look out for ourselves and family. We are challenged to exceed physical training standards, fulfill our PME and off-duty educational goals or requirements as well as complete myriad duty challenges without letting family or personal life suffer. We can and will succeed, by rededicating ourselves to accomplishing common goals and respecting each other as individuals. By respect for the individual I mean treating each other honestly and fairly. Being committed to setting our organizations, bosses, supervisors, peers and Airmen up for success by establishing standards, setting goals, mentoring, and openly communicating are just some factors that spawn success. At this point in time, everyone needs to be in the game, and feeling valued and respected is core to gaining and sustaining individual and group commitment. It's a challenge, but our professional expectation is that we stay focused and committed to each other individually and collectively. This will go a long way toward continued success in our dynamic environment.