USAFE command chaplain speaks on the way ahead

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Mara Title
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  In an ever-changing Air Force, it's good to be inspired by leaders who've adapted and overcome the challenges they've faced. One such leader is the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command Chaplain (Col.) G. Scott Henry, who spoke to Lajes Airmen about staying resilient and concentrating on the positive. Chaplain Henry was accompanied by his Chaplain Assistant, Senior Master Sgt. Dale McGavran.

In a one-hour leadership seminar session with Lajes commanders and senior NCOs, Henry presented a video entitled "Focus Your Vision" by the award winning National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones. The video highlighted the importance of a clearly focused vision for our personal and professional lives.

"We've got to find opportunities to focus and relax, and the more senior that you become, the more difficult it is to do that. So stop and slow down, and look and listen," Henry said. "I think learning how to retreat is very important, even if it's just for a few minutes a day. You have some awesome views here on the island, so get outside and enjoy nature--you will be renewed!"

Henry said that everyone can practice spiritual resiliency and for the majority of people in the military, it's a faith-based approach. "The great thing about being an American is there's no state-sponsored religion, so everybody can find their own way to be spiritually renewed. Our Chaplain Corps is here to support everyone on this journey."

The chaplain's assistant spoke further about caring for our greatest asset--our people.

"We have the greatest Airmen in the world," said McGavran. "They carry huge responsibilities everyday and get the job done."

According to McGavran, a key to building resilient Airmen is to build resilient teams. Good supervisors don't just push things down and say, "Get it done." They actually understand the workload of their team and have the courage to find smarter, more effective and efficient ways to accomplish the mission.

Resiliency is not a new concept in the Air Force, but hearing guidance from leaders who've already trudged through difficult times in the past, helps put the present in perspective.

"I think we should focus on the successes we've had," said Henry, "and how really, really good our Airmen are in bringing peace and alleviating suffering in this world--it's an honor for me to serve with such heroes."