January Chief's Perspective

Readiness – the state of being fully prepared for something or the willingness to do something. These are only a few meanings of readiness as defined by the dictionary, but what does it mean to you? Anyone who has deployed knows that readiness means having all your boxes checked on your out-processing checklist and that your unit deployment manager says you are good to go. But is that the only place it applies?

What about at home? Is your family ready for you to be gone for several months? Is your power of attorney completed and does it cover everything that it needs to? During one of the many trips I have had in my career, my wife actually had to close on our house. Without a proper power of attorney, this would not have happened. Although from what she told me she will never do that again. Having to sign her name, then sign my name and then finally sign her name that she signed my name. But we were ready and prepared.

What about at your job? Are they ready for you to be out for several months? Have you prepared your boss for you to be gone? Have you trained your replacement to the best of your abilities to ensure they maintain your job properly? Have you done everything that you can to minimize the impact of your absence?

Are these the only places and times that readiness applies? I don’t think so. Recently South Carolina experienced another hurricane. Do you prepare each hurricane season? If you live in the upstate you probably don’t pay that much attention to it. But what about those that live in Charleston, Myrtle Beach or anywhere near the coast? Do you know your evacuation zone? Do you have your evacuation route planned with an alternate route? Do you have an app on your phone to track road closures or traffic delays? Do you have a packing list of what you need to take? Do you know where you are going and where you are staying? These are just a few questions to ask before hurricane season starts.