As I continue with the series on the fourteen Marine Corps leadership traits, this week’s topic is dependability. According to Merriam-Webster, dependability is “capable of being trusted or depended on: reliable.1”
An Explosion
In 1970, Apollo 13 was planned as the seventh manned mission to the moon. On April 11 of that year, three astronauts, James Lovell, John “Jack” Swigert, and Fred Haise lifted off from the launch pad at Cape Kennedy, Florida.
Two days later on April 13 and on their way to the moon, Apollo 13 experienced an explosion in an oxygen tank necessitating a return to earth. However, the crew could not execute a maneuver that quickly turned their spacecraft around for a speedy trip to earth. The crew of Apollo 13 had to travel to the moon, go around, and perform an operation that would place them on a trajectory to return safely home.
Successful Failure
Although there was plenty of work for Lovell, Swigert, and Haise to accomplish, they were not alone. There was a large crew of people back on earth working diligently to find solutions to not only get the astronauts back to earth, but also working on methods to keep them alive while they were still in space.
On April 17, 1970, Apollo 13 successfully and safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, alive and well.2
Dependable People
All three astronauts served in the military. James Lovell was in the Navy, Jack Swigert was in the Air Force, and Fred Haise served in both the Marine Corps and the Air Force. They understood the concept of teamwork and the importance of dependability. All three knew that they had to depend on each other to maintain their morale and the ability to make critical decisions.
They also knew there were dependable engineers and astronauts back on earth working diligently to get them home. A large team working together to get the three men back to earth and back to their families and loved ones. Successful teamwork requires people who are dependable.
Are You Dependable?
Firefighting, EMS, and law enforcement require people who are dedicated, committed, and dependable. Your team members expect this and so does the public you serve.
