Four seconds

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jaclyn Pienkowski
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla --  It takes four seconds to look around and take note of your surroundings. Four seconds to stop, consciously think and be aware of what is going on.

It takes me four seconds walking up the driveway after a day of work to notice a yellow lab laying in the neighbor’s front yard. In the same amount of time, I also notice the blue sedan parked in the other neighbor’s driveway, which is always there when I get home.

Just like it takes me four seconds to be aware of what goes on in my neighborhood after a day of work, it would take just seconds to realize if something were out of place, or different than it was a few days before. It would take seconds for me to notice a red sedan parked across the street. A red sedan I have never seen before, with two people in it, surveying my neighbor’s house.

As an Air Commando and a member of the Hurlburt Field community, it is your responsibility to protect those around you and be aware of your surroundings. We are asking you to take four seconds out of your day to do your part in protecting your community.

If you see someone who may be doing something differently than you would do it, take note.

Is there someone walking around in your work area that you don’t recognize? Would you ask them for identification?

It’s Friday night and you are out with friends. You swear you just overheard someone asking about how many airplanes we have on base. Then you hear them ask how many Air Force members are on base and how many gate guards there usually are at the gate. Now you know you aren’t hearing things. Look at the individual, take four seconds to make a mental note on what this individual looks like. Take another four seconds to call Eagle Eye at 884-6102.

Today, in our community, you cannot be too cautious. Recent events have shown us that vigilance is more important than ever. If something does not seem right, you have to act. Your actions could prevent a threat. It is your responsibility as an Air Commando to look out for each other and our neighbors outside the gate.