Vandenberg AFB - West Coast Defenders Chapter

Defenders!

We would like to add a quick forum post here for our West Coast Defenders Chapter.

We operate out at Vandenberg AFB, CA. We are a small upcoming chapter, but are gaining some very strong momentum and are happy to bring some new energy and blood into the Association.

Please let us know if you are in our AOR, we'd love to have you come hang out and see/hear some of the great things we are working on.

Sincerely,

SSgt TJ Lombardi
Chairman, West Coast Defenders Chapter.

What Are We Investing In?

Early this month I had a conversation with a SNCO who asked me about my involvement in organizations and the work environment. The only way I could explain my mindset to this SNCO was to think in terms of investments.

I explained that a business or financial investment standpoint is one where you place your money in order for the investment to hopefully grow and bring back a better prosperity for yourself. I then transitioned to the point of one’s investment in people. An individual invests their time and energy into others, or an organization/company/corporation with the hope that one day those individuals will prosper, inspire, lead, and mold new generations of people and a greater scope would be impacted due to your efforts. Therefore, your investment into the people or area you care about can be prosperous in other ways than just financially.

It was at this point that I was able to then bring it back to the AFSFA mission that we hold true to. The question is then posed, “What are we (AFSFA) investing in?” I would answer this question simply, “We are investing in SF Defenders of all ranks, and all stages in life.” How do we achieve this? We are investing in these SF Defenders with our time, our stories, our experiences, and our passion and love for them for following our steps and filling our shoes as it were. We donate funds to help recognize these young men and woman that wear the badge “Civilian and MP”, and we also do this by a meal paid for here and there. All of this because we love these young men and women, and what their profession represents.

We are investing in the lives of all those around us, because we know the sacrifices that are made every day. The brothers and sisters who served and continue to serve in this career field will support and defend one another and make a stronger more united, “Bond of the Blue Beret”. That is what we are investing in.

v/r

SSgt Lombardi, TJ

Thoughts for November.

Why are we successful?

Simon Sinek once asked himself, “Why are some companies more successful than others when the companies have the exact same capabilities?”

This question would lead him to write his book, “Start With Why.” As he then toured the country discussing his book he began to see there was a different cultural dynamic to the military units he visited. On one occasion he was with the Marines and asked them, what made the Marines / Military different. The officer replied, “Leaders eat last. We focus on our lowest ranking individual first and the highest ranking individual will then eat last.” This so inspired Simon that he would write his second book, “Leaders Eat Last.”

So why is it that the AFSFA is so successful? What is it within this community that has allowed us to maintain our members, and continue to break new ground over the past 28 years?

The motto, “We take care of our own” may be the best answer to this question. It is a motto that the career field has used long before I joined the ranks in 2007. Yet, it is a focal point for all of the members who have joined AFSFA. Our hearts are set towards acting and living this motto out daily. We dedicate our goals and visions towards taking care of our Veterans and Active Duty Security Forces Defenders.

Many of our events, projects, and objectives are all focused around this concept. The attitude of the Association and its Chapters’ are living out this principle in every way they can. That is why we as an Association are successful and why we attract such amazing, and outstanding members. Our hearts are set on taking care of our SF Family, and that is why AFSFA is successful.

V/R

SSgt Lombardi, TJ
Chairman, AFSFA West Coast Defenders Chapter