Dover exemplifies core values

  • Published
  • By Col. Steven Harrison
  • 436th AW commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Excellence in all we do. For the members of Team Dover, to include DoD civilians as well as uniformed members, these words symbolize much more than an empty tagline. An unwavering commitment to excellence permeates our actions, our mindset, and our workplace. For me, it was never more apparent than this past week.

While observing Dover's 26-person team participate in Air Mobility Command's biennial Rodeo competition at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., I was privileged to witness professionals from aerial port, security forces, maintenance, and operations squadrons represent Team Dover's pinnacle of performance in contests of skill, teamwork and grueling endurance. Without exception, they performed proudly and magnificently, ultimately winning recognition as AMC's Best C-5 Preflight Team and, more importantly, newfound understanding of the capabilities of themselves and one another.

I could not be prouder ... not just of their victories, but of their competitive spirit, teamwork, and dedication. They truly personify the "Best of the Best!"

But excellence isn't confined to the workplace or to competition. True excellence pervades all aspects of our lives -- it is in the way we perform our mission, our restless search for improvement, and the way we care for ourselves and one another. And it is alive and well at Dover AFB!

This week I was honored to offer thanks to a number of "quiet heroes" who took it upon themselves to reinvigorate Kent County's D. A. R. E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program in order to empower children to resist the scourge of drug abuse. Still other Dover teammates volunteered as many as 15 hours per week at local area elementary schools, all while maintaining the demanding operations tempo with which we are familiar.

Dover members also recently joined together on a day off from professional obligations to raise nearly $10,000 to aid in the fight against leukemia and lymphoma.

These are just a very few of the many, many stories of altruism, volunteerism, compassion, and selflessness that our civil and military leaders share with me on a weekly basis.

What a privilege to work and live in a community that defines itself by the core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence!

Make no mistake, our mission, our military culture and our nation demand, expect and deserve full-spectrum excellence as measured by mission focus, healthy competition, leadership, self-improvement community service, wingman culture, continuous process improvement, and more. So 'heartfelt thanks' to our Rodeo Team and to all of you who volunteer in schools, houses of worship or wherever you find a worthy cause, for showcasing Team Dover's commitment to excellence! Great work!