Doing things right means being "that guy"

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Richard Fletcher
  • 436th Maintenance Group deputy commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  You may have seen the posters or heard others say, "Don't be that guy!" Typically it is associated with poor decision making that has the potential for negative consequences such as driving under the influence of alcohol, drug abuse, and/or assault. At its heart, "Don't Be That Guy" is the universal recognition that the act of the individual is incongruent with societal expectations.

From a military perspective, the point of the phrase is to discourage the act that could have a negative impact on the unit's mission. Consider this...is there an appropriate time to "be that guy"? It's certainly not, when it comes to committing crime. How about when it comes to preventing a crime or a safety incident?

The 436th Maintenance Group is leading the way in encouraging Airmen to "be that guy." The 436th MXG conducts Logistics Resource Management (LRM) training with the intent to provide our Airmen the tools to recognize and discourage actions that could have negative consequences on the unit and readiness.

To date the 436th MXG has trained 1,552 Airmen in addition to a number of Airmen from the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron. These Airmen graduated with the expectation they will use the tools to identify positive and negative organizational norms. It is these norms that will either keep the organization healthy and focused on mission accomplishment, or potentially send the organization down the path of destruction by undermining its ability to effectively execute the mission.

Negative norms could result in delaying an aircraft departure to causing or enabling the death of a fellow Airman. The unit depends on all Airmen to identify those challenges that could cause harm to the organization. However, identifying the organizational norms is only part of the requirement.

LRM encourages action by giving participants the skill sets to address the problem. All Airmen should feel empowered to take action but given our rank and organizational structure Airmen are less inclined to do so. LRM reinforces the expectation of empowered Airmen.

If the Airman is conducting a maintenance task that they feel uncomfortable doing as a result of fatigue or experience, for example, they are encouraged to raise their concern to supervision. If the Airman is asked to do a task or notices others doing a task that contradicts technical orders or Air Force Instructions, they are empowered, regardless of rank, to question and challenge other Airmen who continue the negative behavior. In short, Airmen are empowered to "be that guy."

The Air Force cannot afford to have Airmen who allow misconduct or espouse the "get it done at all cost" mentality. The history of the Air Force is full of Airmen and materiel resources that have suffered as a result. If an Airman came to work with a uniform and haircut not in standards, fellow Airmen and supervisors are quick to correct the behavior. If an Airman is late for work, the behavior is addressed. In short, fellow Airmen and supervisors are "that guy" and step in to correct the behavior. Why not do the same for criminal acts and safety concerns?

The challenge before all Airmen is to enforce the correct behaviors while conducting primary duties...maintaining and flying aircraft, driving government owned vehicles, or loading cargo on our nation's premier airlift aircraft. It is not a stretch to assume all Airmen have seen other Airmen disregard standards or felt uncomfortable with doing a task.

How many Airmen will "be that guy" who comes forward to stop the negative organizational norm or respectfully decline to do the task?