JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Don't be like me and wait too long to get serious on meeting the Air Force's educational requirements for officers.
There was always too much work to be done for me to be going to school; at least that's what I told myself. I have a wife and four kids, so there are a lot of family responsibilities and definitely not any extra time to devote to school - even time for online classes.
These excuses worked for me. They eased my conscience and let me keep kicking the can down the road. I used them through my years as a lieutenant, and again through my years as a captain. During those years the Air Force had relaxed the "requirement" for officers to have a master's degree to compete for promotion to the rank of major. So I thought if it's not required, then why do it?
Well, I made it to major without getting a master's degree, while my peers were all getting their degrees. They were getting theirs because they knew at some point the Air Force mindset would shift again, and it did. Once again, the master's degree was viewed as necessary for promotion to major and above. My next promotion was now in jeopardy, and I would absolutely need my degree or risk a shorter than expected career.
This fast approaching career ending freight train was explained in crystal clear terms on a feedback form by my supervisor - it said in big letters - "GET IT DONE!" I got the message. I got serious, and my excuses were over.
I had been fully invested and done great things at work, which was good. I had been fully invested at home and in the community, which was also good. I had not been fully invested in my own professional development - and that was bad.
So there I was, busier than I had ever been in my life, with a demanding job as squadron commander and a demanding set of family responsibilities. My previous excuses of being too busy now seemed pretty dumb.
Reflecting back, I think one of the hardest things for me was to decide on what school to go to and what program to get into. I began with some simple research by talking with everyone I knew who had finished school or was in school. I asked them about degrees, schools and how they made their choices.
Once I picked a school and degree, the rest of the pieces began to fall into place. I don't mean to say it was easy transferring classes and learning the processes to use tuition assistance money or GI Bill money, but if you're serious and want it, the information is out there. Visit the education office - they can help.
Don't be like me and waste years thinking you're too busy, just to do it later when your job and life really will be busier - start now. I had put myself in a position where I had to finish nine courses in nine months, with finals and papers due the same week as our unit compliance inspection.
Don't be like me, where your family sacrifice is higher than it should be - with school enrollment lasting through the summer taking every free moment and no time for a vacation.
Don't be like me and tell yourself it's just checking a box. The benefits of education are too numerous to even try and discuss here - talk to someone like me who now sees the benefits firsthand.
There is one more message of my story I'd like to highlight - the impact of my supervisor. When my personal education was discussed in the same context as my primary duties, I was empowered to do what I needed to "GET IT DONE." What about you?
If you're a supervisor, have you sat down with your Airmen and given them the straight, honest truth about education and their Air Force careers? It made a huge difference for me.