Joint Base Charleston, S.C. –
Everyone measures success differently - from athletes who win championships to business owners making the Fortune 500.
But how do we as professional Airmen measure success?
Throughout my career, my ideas of success have changed greatly over the years. When I first enlisted, I thought success was getting through my first four years without getting kicked out. Then, as I found myself married and starting a family, my idea of success was making it to 20 years and retiring at 38.
A few years later, some good supervisors gave me the motivation and instilled confidence in me that I could be a "Chief one day."
There was a good ten years, where I could say I had it all - fantastic marriage, perfect children, beautiful home and a very promising career. Unfortunately, a tragic accident taking my husband of 15 years helped open my eyes to what success truly means to me. I hadn't realized how many things in life I had taken for granted.
The successful career I had did not come without sacrifice. I spent many months away from family and friends and there were long hours on the job even when I was home. As a widowed mother of three, it became very clear to me, that I did not need a promotion to validate my worth. Rather, my greatest success is the three children I have raised. So when faced with the decision to retire or accept another stripe, the decision for me was easy and I am looking forward to my retirement.
However you measure success, I wish you all the very best, just remember that life is short so don't ever take your family for granted.