CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Nearly twenty years ago, before I enlisted in the world's greatest Air Force, I was in college trying to find my way and figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
One of my literature courses introduced me to the Latin phrase, "Carpe diem," which roughly means, "Seize the day." The phrase has stuck with me ever since and has been a motto in my life.
As the Air Force continues to excel with more technology, more education for our members and an overall improvement in quality of life, I believe each of us still has questions to ask of ourselves. Are we seizing the day? Are we seizing the opportunities in front of us?
I hope we are, especially as members in the world's greatest Air Force. It is not by happenstance our Air Force of today is the best. It is because those who came before us seized opportunities to improve not only themselves, but our community as a whole.
Yes, we live a good lifestyle right now, but we each need to strive to make it better for the future. We as leaders, senior NCOs, NCOs and front-line supervisors have an obligation to seize the day. Take things head on with enthusiasm, the attitude to get the job done right the first time and think outside the box when not bound by technical orders and Air Force Instructions.
We are charged to mentor our Airmen. This is where we must spend our time and energy in our most valuable resource, our people.
As my children grew, I had a saying for them, "Don't tell me what you can't do, show me what you can do." Then, my wife and I, but more so her, would work with them and help them improve on whatever they needed help on.
Sometimes I think we, as leaders, need to put that saying into practice for ourselves. We should put any excuses aside, roll up our sleeves and seize the opportunities in front of us. How do we do this you might ask? Here are a couple of examples I can think of off the top of my head.
Lead by example. This, for me, is the best way I know how. Put into practice what you know you should be doing. Challenge yourself, your peers and subordinates to exceed the standard. Be actively involved in something that is bigger than yourself, like the Top 3 or the Air Force Sergeants Association. Encourage participation in traditions like the Air Force Ball, promotion parties, retirement ceremonies and re-enlistment celebrations. They are important milestones and should be treated as such.
We have a more recent, but very rich history in the Air Force, and it didn't "just happen." It took sacrifice. What will continue to make the Air Force great are the people who want to be in it. What makes the Air Force outstanding, and Team Charleston in particular, are the opportunities to grow if we seize those opportunities and don't stand on the sideline watching them pass by.