T'is the season to look out for one another Published Dec. 14, 2010 By Chief Master Sgt. Todd Piazza 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- As members of Team Little Rock, we are all very busy throughout the year. In the aircraft maintenance community we are constantly supporting training, test and operational missions to such places as Yuma Air Station in the West to Pope Air Force Base in the East with numerous destinations in between. While doing so, we also support local training missions, accomplish scheduled maintenance and take care of special events such as providing tours to congressional delegates. Finally, while making all of this happen, we find time to prepare personnel for the next deployment rotation. The operations tempo is not confined to the aircraft maintenance community, but is common for all Team Little Rock members. This time of year there is the added ingredient of dealing with the holiday season. Because of our operations tempo combined with the holiday stressors, It's the season to look out for one another. Many of us may be concerned with how we are going to be able to afford that expensive gift we were hoping to give to the spouse or kids. Others may be concerned with how we are going to cope with a visit by some not-so-welcome in-laws. These are only a couple examples of added stressors imposed by the holidays. But, regardless of the specific source of the added stress, we must look after one another to ensure this stress does not result in an action that will harm an Airman or career. When looking out for one another, usually a single word or even a nod of the head may be all it takes. For example, a maintainer on the flight line may be doing something as simple as cutting safety wire while replacing a component, but forgot to put on his safety glasses. Is a speech on work center safety required in this instance? Not necessarily. It may only take a coworker saying the words, "safety glasses" as a reminder. Another example could be non-duty related, but just as serious. While shopping at the base exchange, an Airman may notice another Airman contemplating placing something in his pocket without paying. A simple head gesture to the left and right may be all it takes to prevent an individual from doing something on impulse that would call his integrity into question for the rest of his life. We are all very busy and getting busier. The holiday season only serves to add to our daily stressors. It is the responsibility of each and every Airman to look out for one another; to take care of our friends and coworkers and prevent them from doing something they may come to regret. Remind one another to wear those safety glasses. It is the thought that counts, not the price of the gift. And the in-laws, hopefully, aren't going to stay forever.