JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
"The biggest piece doesn't always have the most chocolate chips." My two kids, ages six and four, were having a very intent conversation on which particular piece of banana bread was best. It is of course a true statement and got me thinking about assignments.
In my 15 years in the Air Force, I've had nine assignments. My wife, in our nine years of marriage, is on her sixth move and my kids are on housing assignment number four. We've got some experience with the whole assignment process.
But what makes a good assignment? Is it "the biggest piece?" For some, that might mean location and the dream assignment to Hawaii, or Germany or Florida. For others, it may be the actual job - no matter the location. However, I don't think we should look at getting the "perfect" assignment in those terms.
I've never had a bad assignment. Sure I've been stationed in less desirable or smaller piece locations, but still, never a bad assignment, because sometimes, that smaller piece has more chocolate chips.
Take a remote tour for example. Not always in a great location and you're away from family and the workload is often pretty high. However, those tours can be incredibly rewarding assignments because of the experiences you have and just as importantly, the people you serve with.
Sure, you could get the location or job you've always wanted and then find out it wasn't quite what you'd expected. You can still make the best of it; it might just take a bit more effort.
Sometimes you luck out and get the big piece, loaded with chocolate chips. For us, the Pentagon, a place many people try their best to stay away from was just that - great location, great job and great people. And, now that I think about it, our current assignment is also like that.
My point in all this is that when considering assignments, don't get hung up on location or job title. Sure, those might be the big draws, but in reality, it's everything combined that makes a great assignment.
As for us? We've got the big piece with lots of chocolate chips and get to enjoy it for another year.