Verbal Communication

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Darrell Smith
  • 436th Dental Squadron commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  "If You See Something, Say Something." This phrase was created by a New York ad man named Allen Kay on Sept. 12, 2001; the day after the 9/11 tragedy. Shortly thereafter, one of Mr. Kay's clients, the NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), asked him to come up with a message that promoted safety and security for its operations; a message that would encourage passengers to engage in safety.

Mr. Kay's "If You See Something, Say Something" slogan was perfect for the job. By January 2003, it was plastered on everything the MTA owned; to this day you can still see these posters throughout the NYC MTA.

Due to its popularity, the NYC MTA received many requests to use this slogan, and with their gracious approval, it spread like wildfire; the New York Times recently stated: "A Phrase for Safety After 9/11 Goes Global."

I, too, see the appeal of this slogan; especially the "say something" portion.

The NYC MTA wants you to "say something;" not text something, not Instant Message something, and certainly not to e-mail something. In this digital age we live in, verbal communication is becoming a lost art, and I am not so sure this is a good thing.

Verbal communication is an essential component of our day to day operations; it's also an effective way to promote base safety, and here at Dover AFB, safety is paramount.

Mishap prevention/safety is one of the four topics covered in the 436th Airlift Wing's Campaign Plan, "Leadership in the System 2.0." A part of the campaign has leadership delivering standardized messages to small groups of Airmen in their squadrons. However, the consensus at Wing stand-up is that these messages have incited meaningful discussions throughout the squadron; mine included. I am confident that this type of communication has contributed to the massive decline in major mishaps here at Dover AFB.

As an achievement of excellence in safety, the 436th AW Safety Office received the Air Mobility Command's (AMC) safety office of the year award for 2013. Recently, the motorcycle safety program was the recipient of the AMC Large Organization Motorcycle SE Program of the Year award for the fifth straight year. Also, the "Heartbeat of the Wing," the 436th Medical Group, achieved and maintained the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program "Star" status for safety; the highest qualification awarded for safety. Team Dover gets it!

I stated earlier that safety is paramount, and if Team Dover is to remain at the pinnacle of safety, we must continue to communicate. If you see something, or know of something that's not right, or not safe, you need to say something. "If You See Something, Say Something," it's that easy. You never know, you might save someone's life. Keep up the great work, and let's make 2014 a great, safe year!