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Air Force vs Army implementation of the
“Burnout Prevention Program”

1. STOP DENYING.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Listen to the wisdom of your body. Begin to freely admit the stresses and pressures which you have manifested physically, mentally, or emotionally. Meditate even more frequently.

ARMY VIEW: Work until the physical pain forces you into unconsciousness, then you can’t hear your body.

2. AVOID ISOLATION.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Don’t do everything alone! Develop or renew intimacies with friends and loved ones. Closeness not only brings new insights, but also is anathema to agitation and depression.

ARMY VIEW: Shut your office door and lock it from the inside so no one will distract you. They’re just trying to hurt your productivity.

3. CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

AIR FORCE VIEW: If your job, your relationship, a situation, or a person is dragging you under, try to alter your circumstance, or if necessary, leave.

ARMY VIEW: If you feel something is dragging you down, suppress these thoughts. This is a weakness. Drink more coffee.

4. DIMINISH INTENSITY IN YOUR LIFE.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Pinpoint those areas or aspects which summon up the most concentrated intensity and work toward alleviating that pressure.

ARMY VIEW: Increase intensity. Maximum intensity = maximum productivity. If you find yourself relaxed and with your mind wandering, you are probably
having a detrimental effect on the recovery rate.

5. STOP OVERNURTURING.

AIR FORCE VIEW: If you routinely take on other people’s problems and responsibilities, learn to gracefully disengage. Try to get some nurturing for yourself.

ARMY VIEW: Always attempt to do everything. You ARE responsible for it all. Perhaps you haven’t thoroughly read your job description.

6. LEARN TO SAY “NO”.

AIR FORCE VIEW: You’ll help diminish intensity by speaking up for yourself. This means refusing additional requests or demands on your time or emotions.

ARMY VIEW: Never say no to anything. It shows weakness. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do at midnight.

7. BEGIN TO BACK OFF AND DETACH.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Learn to delegate, not only at work, but also at home and with friends. In this case, detachment means rescuing yourself for yourself.

ARMY VIEW: Delegating is a sign of weakness. If you want it done right, do it yourself (see #5).

8. REASSESS YOUR VALUES.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Try to sort out the meaningful values from the temporary and fleeting, the essential from the nonessential. You’ll conserve energy and time, and begin to feel more centered.

ARMY VIEW: Stop thinking about your own problems. This is selfish. If your values change, we will make an announcement. Until then, if someone calls you and questions your priorities, tell them that you are unable to comment on this and give them the number for PAO. It will be taken care of.

9. LEARN TO PACE YOURSELF.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Try to take life in moderation. You only have so much energy available. Ascertain what is wanted and needed in your life, then begin to balance work with love, pleasure, and relaxation.

ARMY VIEW: A balanced life is a myth perpetuated by liberal arts schools. Don’t be a fool: the only thing that matters is work and productivity.

10. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Don’t skip meals, abuse yourself with rigid diets, disregard your need for sleep, or miss doctor’s appointments. Take care of yourself nutritionally.

ARMY VIEW: Your body serves your mind, your mind serves the Army. Push the mind and the body will follow.

11. DIMINISH WORRY AND ANXIETY.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Try to keep superstitious worrying to a minimum - it changes nothing. You’ll have a better grip on your situation if you spend less time worrying and more time taking care of your real needs. If necessary,
listen to more Barry Manilow!

ARMY VIEW: If you’re not worrying about work, you must not be very committed to it. We’ll find someone who is.

12. KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR.

AIR FORCE VIEW: Begin to bring job and happy moments into your life. Very few people suffer burnout when they’re having fun.

ARMY VIEW: So, you think your work is funny? We’ll discuss this with your commander on Friday, at 1900!

In the Ozarks, there was a mountaineer that was reputed to have the best hunting dog ever, by the name of Co-pilot.

Three city folks went up in the mountains and wanted to rent him. “Good huntin dog, ... gonna cost ya $50 a day.” They agreed, and three days later came back with the limit.

The next year they came back. “Co-pilot got better, gonna cost ya $75 a day.” Again they agreed, and 2 days later came back with the limit.

The third year they came back and told the mountaineer they had to have Co-pilot, even if it cost $100 a day.

“You can have that worthless mutt for $5 a day, and I’m overcharging you $4.”

“But I don’t understand, what happened to him?”

“Well, had me one of them Herky crews from that there Air Base in Oakaloosa county come up and rent him. One of those idiots called him Pilot, and he has been sittin on his ass barkin ever since.”