Have you looked in the mirror lately? Published April 10, 2007 By Master Sgt. Rob Swanson 92nd Maintenance Squadron first sergeant FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- As you get up in the morning and prepare yourself to take on the challenges of serving in the profession of arms, do you take the time to look in the mirror and ask, "How do I perceive myself today?" According to Webster's New Riverside University Dictionary, to perceive is to "become aware of directly through the senses or to take notice of." Every time we leave our home to come to our assigned duty location or leave our duty location to make our way home, we have opened ourselves up to being perceived by the exact people who contribute to the Air Force operating budget. What is their perception of you when you leave your home or when you enter your local supermarket your way home? Recently, my spouse informed me that she witnessed two Airmen entering a store in the Spokane community and they made the decision not to wear their proper headgear for their uniform combination. This is cause for concern because now our community supporters may have a different perception of how the Air Force lets their personnel act when they are not in garrison. The bottom line is we want to take time to pursue excellence in everything we do. Begin each day by looking in the mirror to ensure people will perceive you as a professional, "diamond sharp" expeditionary Airman who is part of the great organization called Team Fairchild.