SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Shortly after I found out he was promoted to chief master sergeant, I congratulated my flight chief on his promotion. 

He tilted his head forward, lowered his reading glasses, looked me in the eyes, smiled and shouted, "Sir, I've been a chief for years ...for years! The Air Force just realized it and promoted me ... business as usual for me, sir." 

I howled with laughter at his bravado. He was a very colorful, lively and outspoken individual with a good sense of humor. Judging by the look in his eyes, though, I knew he truly meant what he said. In his mind he had been chief long before he put on the rank. 

The chief obviously worked hard to achieve his rank, but it was his winning attitude that likely made the difference. A winning attitude is not arrogance, over-confidence or false motivation. It cannot be created by a pep rally or sustained by a feel-good cliché. A winning attitude is the attitude that expects victory, pursues perfection and ruthlessly focuses on the important rather than the tangential. It is what drives champions, leaders and people who enable positive change. 

After the conversation above, Chief would later explain to me that he was not being arrogant but that he'd always taken the character traits described in the Chief's Creed to heart and that he did his best to live up to those standards of professionalism long before he became a senior master sergeant let alone a chief. When he finally pinned on chief, he was excited and happy, but knew he would continue doing the things that ultimately contributed to him being promoted. He had always expected to do well; and, once he pinned-on it was, in fact, business as usual. 

This winning attitude or champion spirit should be within each of us as we conduct the mission. We have to expect to win; otherwise, why are we here? 

Undoubtedly, it will take hard work, sacrifice, critical thinking, leadership and technical expertise, however, this must be coupled with the attitude and focus on the big picture--win this war on terror. 

For some, the level of commitment and sacrifice required in normal job duties is inherently high. For example, aircrew, security forces or infantry soldiers need no lecture on having a winning attitude. Losing a fight is not an option for them. By the nature of their job, if they don't win, their lives are at risk. 

Others of us who are in varying levels of a support role play an extremely vital part in this chain. It is important that we don't lose sight of the big picture. The goal is not to fight the global war on terror. The goal is to win the Global War on Terrorism. 

Each of us must believe that our role is significant. By doing our very best at our respective jobs while focusing on the big picture, we take one step closer to achieving the overall goal of winning this conflict. In the end, this is why we are here. Expect to win.