What are your priorities?

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Andrea Gooden
  • 436th Medical Operations Squadron commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Priorities -- we all have them. Sometimes our priorities are shared by many, but other times they are not. Even if we do not share a priority with anyone, it still becomes important in our lives. What about goals? Goals are not things you just hope to accomplish, they too are priorities.

Everyone who is a part of the Air Force should share the core values: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. If you truly embrace these core values they become priorities in your life. If you have not made them top priorities, you may find the Air Force a difficult organization to deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Since joining Team Dover in August, I have seen many other shared priorities. First and foremost, all of us, whether we are an Airman, civilian, contractor or family member, have made freedom a priority in our lives. If we hadn't, we probably wouldn't be part of an airlift wing that delivers 70 percent of the sustainment cargo to the area of responsibility everyday with the level of pride that is accomplished here.

Team Dover also returns the nation's fallen heroes with dignity, honor and respect. This is, without a doubt, a top priority throughout the wing. Everyone who has a part of this mission makes any necessary adjustment, even in our personal lives, to make this happen flawlessly -- rightfully so.

Team Dover also shares another priority -- doing whatever it takes to get the job done. How do I know this? The week I assumed command, we had an earthquake and a hurricane. In preparation for Hurricane Irene, I saw Team Dover in full swing from the beginning. Everywhere I went, everyone I spoke to had one priority... ensuring the base was prepared. I saw everyone doing whatever it took -- from filling sandbags to moving picnic tables. And what about the extraordinary feat of flying out 18 aircraft and moving 1,175 tons of cargo in less than 24 hours?

Yes, Team Dover has a set of priorities, but not just any set of priorities. Team Dover has the right set of priorities, and I am proud to share them!