Compliance, consistency key to success Published March 16, 2010 By Col. Stephen N. Whiting 21st Space Wing commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On March 10, personnel from across the 21st Space Wing and our Team Pete mission partners joined the men and women of the 21st Mission Support Group to witness the transition of command from Col. Emily Buckman to Col. Kim Conner. This change of command ceremony was expertly planned and executed, and served as a public forum where the 21st MSG thanked Colonel Buckman for her selfless and successful time in command. The ceremony also welcomed Colonel Conner and provided an occasion for the group to rededicate themselves to even higher achievement under her leadership and vision. Finally, the ceremony reminded the wing that certain events must be recognized publicly as opportunities to celebrate success and strive for continued improvement. So, what other events should units publicly celebrate? Well, unit awards are certainly at the top of that list. While the wing has won many command-level and Air Force-level awards over the last few years, we are currently celebrating two recent announcements at the Air Force level. As you've certainly heard by now, the 21st Force Support Squadron was recently named the winner of the General Curtis LeMay Award as the best large force support squadron in the Air Force for 2009. Similarly, we recently found out that our combined Peterson AFB and Thule AB chapel team was named the Air Force's best medium size chapel for 2009. When successes like this occur, we must make time to celebrate. Quite simply, these awards could not have been earned without outstanding work by these specific units, and all the other individuals and units that support them. Winning these awards is also normally a rare thing in a career, so enjoying the big win is a must. At the same time, however, we must use the receipt of these awards as a springboard to even greater improvement and success. And, at all costs, we must avoid complacency. A phrase that comes to mind when I consider complacency comes from the mutual fund industry. For those who invest in mutual funds, you know you receive a prospectus that has the following phrase somewhere in it, "PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RETURNS." This statement is only eight words long, but it packs a lot of meaning. The bottom line is that the fund company wants you to know that you can't rely on the fact that they have had good returns in the past when considering how the fund might do in the future. While you certainly may take comfort in the fact that a particular mutual fund manager has had several years of good returns, showing that he or she is a first-rate money manager, the fact the fund has returned a particular percentage over any given historical period tells you nothing about what percentage the fund will return going forward. This same dynamic is in play in our wing. We are very proud of every award we win or achievement we garner. In fact, our wing vision statement says we are "...Globally Postured to Win." In everything we do, we want to win...in combat, for awards, in competitions. But, we also recognize that winning an award for past success doesn't mean we are going to do our job properly today or fulfill the mission tomorrow. Only good leadership, trained and ready Airmen, compliant processes, and a consistent focus on excellence and avoiding complacency will guarantee today's and tomorrow's success.