The Last time I used the Wingman Concept

              The Last time I used the Wingman Concept

The concept of having a wingman is very simple and has been a critical element for man if not most needed in hostile situations whether you are flying a jet fighter plane, a lawman on the street or an ordinary person on the street out on the town with a relative or a friend.

The concept is easy to understand as it is designed to foster, develop or implement an environment of trust, collaboration and accountability between at least two people in a critical situation.

It helps to produce supportive conditions that makes decision making better and catching mistakes, omissions or just human error in take to catch it before it becomes fatal. It is designed to make the best possible condition and take the best possible action under the circumstances.

In many cases, it becomes a necessity to survive. Just that simple and just that important. The wingman concept comes from the first pilots engaged in combat in the skies. While in flight the wingman of the lead pilot would hang back am observe any hostile activity from side to side and even the back.

It is a basic tactic to back up the lead pilot and keep them safer in a fight with another nemesis pilot. It is so effective it is still used today. Everyone has seen this concept used at weddings where the best man shadows the groom to make sure he doesn’t do anything foolish. 

On the other hand we have seen this concept used at parties where one thinks they are good enough to drive after having a few drinks but his or her wingman steps up to where they take the necessary action to keep them from driving drunk.

In many instances, the wingman has power. They don’t look the other way and do what is needed to do to keep the other person safe. A small investment of personal courage to stand up and take responsibility for taking care of another person without obligations, expectations or indebtedness. They just do it because it’s the right thing to do.

The last time I used the wingman was concept was at work. As a correctional officer I was just a single person surrounded by many to complete an assigned task alone and what could take more time than needed.

I have faced hostile situations without warning with another friend of mine and as his wingman the odds were a little bit better and often enough to avoid or reduce the chances of a fight. If it came to fighting one of us would radio for help. 

The same can be said about workloads that seem to be overbearing but with a wingman by your side, helping prevents mistakes that could require work to be redone and ensures quality and thorough productivity resulting in better mission accomplishment.

One of the biggest threats to the wingman concept is peer pressure. Peer pressure comes in many forms. Everybody knows the generic versions of peer pressure and how it play a part of the final decision made. Peer pressure can also be non-verbal, yet just as deadly to the wingman concept. Toleration or intolerance can have the same effect as tacit approval.

Your action speaks volumes, creating peer pressure by just implying that nothing is wrong. The best way to actively fight this attack on the wingman concept is to stay focused on what is right and do that.

If not, you may be setting your wingman up for failure without a single word. Taking that extra second to evaluate the whole situation before making decisions puts a stop to the peer pressure attack.

The wingman concept is here to stay. The concept focuses on a team effort, and it's up to each of us to provide back up to our fellow officers when needed - even when doing what's right is the more difficult choice. Everyone needs a wingman for having a wingman keeps things safe.