A man of principles

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman J. Paul Croxon
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The office of the vice commander is more than a room in the headquarters building; it's also a reflection of the man who works out of it. Currently, the office is unintimidating, comfortable and thoughtful, fitting its new occupant.

If Col. John Scorsone, the new 319th Air Refueling Wing Vice Commander, was summed up in a word, the word would be thoughtful. His answers to questions such as his focus as the new vice commander, his impressions of the base and what his personal principles are, include both big-picture, strategic vision and thoughtful, tactical purpose.

They culminate in four basic principles; mission first-people always, do the important to prevent the urgent, take care of each other, and leave it better than you found it.

His first principle addresses the current high-operations tempo and manning strains faced by the wing and includes the importance of family to the mission.

"We're a smaller force that is running faster, and deployed more often," he said. "We will accomplish the mission, but with intense focus on the needs of our Airmen, civilians and their families."

That importance of family and community isn't new to Colonel Scorsone, this is his second assignment to Grand Forks AFB, and the second time he's seen the close relationship the base has with the community.

"My wife, Jonelle and I are excited to be here. The partnership between the local communities and the base is amazing---no one else does it better."

On this second assignment here, Colonel Scorsone's immediate goal for the wing is the upcoming unit compliance inspection, and reflects his second principle of "do the important to prevent the urgent".

"Success now, in terms of the UCI, is defined by aggressively finding what's broke and then fixing it."

According to Colonel Scorsone, tackling tasks, such as preparation for the UCI, when they become important allows one to finish them before they become urgent. More importantly, when something urgent and unexpected demands your attention, you aren't distracted and are better able to meet and accomplish it.

Another important goal of Colonel Scorsone, is to be out and about among the Warriors of the North.

"I'm looking forward to seeing many smiling faces, telling me about their contribution to the Department of Defense and Air Force missions," he said. "I believe in people and believe the best ideas from an organization come from the bottom up. I have great trust in our Airmen and their leadership and training."

His third principle encompasses the wingman culture of "taking care of each other".

"Grand Forks has a great tradition of Airmen helping fellow Airmen," he said. "We need to continue this proven method of success."

His final principle is to "leave it better than you found it".

"Whether it's work, home, friends, family; you need to actively try to make things better than they were."

If his principles don't seem foreign, perhaps it's because this is his second assignment to Grand Forks AFB, and his second time experiencing the unique challenges and benefits the base and local community have. It could also be familiar because his vision as the vice commander reflects a familiar vision to the wing.

"I don't see the vice commander position as the second-in-command," he said. "Instead, it's to be the first follower. My vision and goals are the same as the wing commander's."

If the trend of the vice commander's office reflecting the man holds true, Warriors of the North can expect to see Colonel Scorsone around the wing not as an iron fist of change, but as the first follower of more than 2,000 Airmen.