Reflect, be thankful, set new goals Published Nov. 27, 2012 By Col. Dean Borsos 20th Medical Group SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Another holiday season is upon us. With this comes a time to pause and reflect on the past, to be thankful for the gifts in our lives and to develop plans to make the New Year even better. As with everything we do, it is important to strive to balance our personal and professional lives. How do you remember 2012? What are your plans for 2013? As I reflect on the past year at Shaw AFB, Team Shaw has accomplished a lot. Operationally, our wing pulled together as a team and passed the no-notice ACC Operational Readiness Inspection. We also displayed our ongoing commitment to the environment and operational programs by completing the ESOHCAMP with good results. Additionally, the wing passed the ACC Safety PME with flying colors. Even more noteworthy is all of this was accomplished while repeatedly deploying our fighter squadrons, maintenance units and a couple thousand Airmen to multiple Combatant Commander taskings. Truly outstanding work. At the group level we scored an Excellent on the Health Services Inspection (AF/IG) and received national re-accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. I am sure each of you can think of similar good news stories for your unit. On a personal perspective, some of us took our children to school for the first time while others watched with mixed feelings as their children graduate from high school. Others look back with pride (and know we are also proud of them) as they think about their first year in the military and the distinguished service they are providing for their country. We also have many things for which we are thankful. Many units and personnel throughout the wing garnered recognition for the programs they managed or their contributions during our inspections. Likewise, several individuals and teams earned ACC, USAF and national awards in recognition for their sustained accomplishments. Some personnel received well-deserved promotions and new job opportunities. Others are thankful for a supervisor or mentor who provided insightful advice, a wingman who helped us make the correct decision, a leader with a sincere interest in our well-being or career, or an officer or NCO who challenged us to become an even better Airman. We've also enjoyed personal events just as significant, such as having the pleasure of experiencing babies being delivered or couples being married, or perhaps getting reacquainted with an old friend. Unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. Some have experienced significant issues this year. Those are challenging times, but each of us experience problems at some time during our lives. It is important to remember there are many people who care and will assist in working through those issues. We have family, friends, supervisors, wingmen, first sergeants, chaplains, and commanders who are committed to and personally care about every member in our Air Force. Our Air Force is a family that will take care of each other. What are your personal and professional goals for 2013? As I look to the future, Team Shaw will continue to manage excellent operations so we can accomplish our mission, both in-garrison and deployed. We will provide ongoing support and mentor our Airmen to grow our future leaders. We will remain committed to a journey of providing an environment conducive to personal and professional growth. Will you also use good time management to spend more quality time with family or friends? When was the last time you drove your children to school?...if you don't remember, make it a priority to do so, soon. When was the last time you called your family or friends just to say hello?...do it during the holidays. When was the last time you thanked every person in your shop for being a valued member of the team?...do it today. It is an honor to serve as a family in the United States Air Force. We are truly part of something larger than ourselves. We serve with men, women, and children of great honor and courage. Our prayers go out to those who are separated from friends and family. We especially remember those serving in deployed locations during these challenging times. May the New Year provide good health and happiness to you and bring us all a little bit closer to peace on earth.