EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- "Otium Sanctum"

That Latin phrase translates into Holy Leisure. It captures within it a mandate to decouple from the frantic pace of work. A mandate to relax and regain your focus on yourself, your family and your God. Holy, meaning to set apart and make sacred. Leisure meaning discretionary, enjoyable, non-work activities.

Summer has Otium Sanctum written all over it. We have just passed summer solstice and here in Alaska that holds a significant amount of importance, especially to those who have been here during winter solstice. Summertime, the longest days of the year, and being in Alaska all weave together to scream out to us to get out and enjoy.

I have a confession to make and it is a bit embarrassing. I share it only to demonstrate an example of what not to do. I am reminded of this mistake every time I get my leave and earnings statement.

Every month it is one more grain of salt in my wound. On my LES in the leave section there is a block that says leave lost: 1.0. It is fundamentally wrong and I hope it will go away next fiscal year but for the rest of this summer it will be there reminding me that I cheated myself and my family of one full day of leisure.

Some folks may wear that as a badge of honor to say, "Look how hard I work." People like that work hard but sometimes unnecessarily hard and may not be as productive.


In the summer, Alaska helps make leisure time easy. She can also make leisure time challenging. The rescue missions the 210th Rescue Squadron executes have significant spikes in the summertime and during hunting season.

This is where planning and risk management come into play.

Packing extra supplies of food and water will make a huge difference when inclement weather delays a return. Leaving a float plan or a hike plan with family or friends with an expected time of return is essential for making a quick rescue, especially if you stuck with your plan.

A list of survival and signaling equipment also helps us out if thing go awry. Communication devices can range from cell phones to satellite phones to Personal Locator Beacons which can be used to signal emergency authorities. Remember limitations with battery life and coverage.

Other devices can be a GPS, flares, whistle, strobes and mirrors, anything to stack the odds in your favor. Decision making while in the bush is also an essential element for successful leisure time. Spare tires and a full gas tank have saved many a vacation. The art of knowing when to turn back factors in as well. Whether you are running the Wilderness Classic or just going berry picking a bit of planning will keep you in the leisure category and out of the survival category.

Enjoy a safe and rejuvenating summer.