Captain’s Column

If you are someone who lives and works on base, like me, then you can easily fall into a routine similar to that from the movie Groundhog day. Especially in the “winter” months, when the hours of daylight are shorter, one day can turn into the next and before you know it, you haven’t left the base in two weeks! During that time of same old, same old, it is easy to get locked into a certain perspective, meaning you can easily develop an attitude or way of looking at something, a specific point of view. Being locked into that perspective can be misleading and it is important to try to step back and see the bigger picture.

For example, every day I drive past Building 1, CNATRA headquarters. It has been under construction for quite a bit of time, and only looking at it from the outside, it appears not to be progressing at all.

By changing my perspective, looking inside the windows or around the back side of the building, I am able to see that it has made huge strides towards completion!

That change of perspective applies to many things going on here at NASCC. There have been a number of hurricane repairs completed over the past year, but seeing those repairs may not be easy to identify based on one’s perspective. Understand there are efforts underway and we will continue to try to improve our base while allowing the safe and efficient completion of tenants’ missions, and ensuring the safety of their families.

Changing your perspective can work in all sorts of situations. In the beginning of February, we will be undergoing the Department of Defense-wide Citadel Shield/ Solid Curtain series of exercises. This series of events will exercise our procedures and responses to multiple scenarios, from active shooters, to gate runners. Sitting in your vehicle coming through the gate, you may have the point of view that the delay caused by the drill is unnecessary. I understand the frustration with being delayed, but I would ask for your patience and understanding as these training opportunities are necessary to ensure a safe and secure place to live and work.

The Citadel Shield/Solid Curtain exercise is only two weeks long; the first week will conduct daily exercises to test the base. Please look for announcements and updates to potentially reduce any impact to you, but also please take the opportunity to think of how the scenario would really impact your day, besides just a small delay at the gate. Or … take the perspective that it is an opportunity to prepare for a difficult situation, like an active shooter, and think of how you would respond for your safety and those around you.

Again, thanks for your patience!

I’ll see you around the base.

Go Navy!