Life in the fish bowl ... a survival strategy

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Matt Stinson
  • 354th Communication Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  As a child, did you ever go to the fair? Well, I went once and somehow, I managed to sink a ping pong ball into that teeny tiny fish bowl to claim my prize -- my first real pet!

Little George, my new goldfish, became the most important thing in my life. When I arrived home and transferred him from the plastic bag to his new temporary lodging, a Cool Whip™ container, I could not wait to watch him grow. I fed him at the same time every day, changed his water when needed, and showed him off to friends when I could.

I even got a new job mowing lawns to fund a new fish bowl for him. Little George can't have just any bowl; I bought the best. But, I soon lost sight of why I had bought the bowl to begin with and began to neglect George. A few days later I was devastated as we held the flushing ceremony in his honor.

I relate the Cool Whip™ container to basic training. Everything you needed to survive was given to you: food, shelter, training and the values required to thrive in your new environment. Eventually, you were moved to a larger bowl -- your new base. You used the tools given to you in basic training to get by, but you still had a lot of learning to do if you wanted to make it in this new world.

Your supervisor, the bigger fish, taught you how and what was expected of you to do your new job --whether it was cleaning the algae from the side of the bowl and from the rocks, or teaching others how to accomplish daily tasks. Every step you made was viewed by not only your supervisor but, also your peers, others around the base, and even the civilian populous.

Negative opinions form when others see you walking and talking on a cell phone, wearing a watch cap without a coat, or making a scene downtown in uniform. Just as positive opinions are formed when you're seen adhering to standards or volunteering in the community.

I realize that you have learned a lot and it is hard to remember everything. So, I will give you a few easy tips to help guide you through your daily life 'in the bowl.'

- Do what is right even if you think no one is looking, believe me someone is (after all, you live in a fish bowl).
- Strive to be the best in all you do. "It's not the job you get, it's the job you do."
- Don't worry about leaving on-time if you still have a task to accomplish.
- If you have that gut feeling and have to think twice about something...Don't do it.
- If you are a supervisor, don't lose sight of why you are here. Guide and mentor your Airmen.
- Keep in mind there are always bigger fish in the bowl. "Don't get cocky."
- Finally, if you remember nothing else, remember this: You don't always have to be in a leadership position to be a leader; others will mimic your actions whether good or bad.

If you practice 'Integrity, Excellence and Service before Self,' you will not falter, you will not fail, you will never leave an Airman behind, and...you will not be flushed.