CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Aspiration is defined as a strong desire, longing ambition or aim.
What was your aspiration when you decided to join the Air Force? Was it to simply see the world? Was it to earn your degree? Was it to learn a trade, or was enlisting something you always wanted to do?
Once you joined the Air Force, did you decide to serve a four year commitment and separate, or did you decide on a career of serving for 20 years? Did you aspire to make the rank of chief master sergeant, or was your aspiration to earn a degree and attend to Officer Training School?
Having aspirations is only one part of the goal; along with those aspirations you need opportunity, which is defined as a condition or situation favorable to the attainment of a goal. The Air Force allows all of us the opportunity to achieve whatever aspiration we set for ourselves, but are you taking full advantage?
As a young boy, I had no aspirations to be a doctor, a policeman, a lawyer, or anything else. I was having fun outside playing sports and hanging out with my friends. While struggling to make it through high school, mostly of my own lack of effort, I had no aspiration of going to college and sitting through years of more lectures and homework.
After graduating from high school, I realized I probably would not make it very far earning minimum wage, so I aspired to joined the Air Force and serve my 20 years and retire. Once again, I did not set aspirations to attain any particular rank or level of knowledge since I was only looking at the big picture of a retirement check down the road.
Along the way, the Air Force has not only changed my outlook on many things to include aspirations, but has also given me plenty of opportunities to capitalize on those aspirations.
Even though I turned down the Montgomery G.I. Bill in basic training, I took full advantage of educational opportunities and earned my Community College of the Air Force, bachelor's and master's degree along the way.
I have also learned a skill set during my military career, as well as received certifications, which I truly enjoy utilizing every day.
I have climbed up the ladder in rank and how far I continue to climb is up to me. The opportunity is right in front of me but it is solely up to me to grab on with both hands and pursue that next level. It is still some years before I reach my 20-year mark, but I have changed my aspiration and look at it through renewed eyes.
I know each of you have aspirations as well. You have already proven that by joining the greatest Air Force in the world.
I walk around and hear Airmen talking about wanting to finish their degrees and go to Officer Training School, wanting to make chief master sergeant, or even wanting to make rank first time out every time. These are all wonderful aspirations to strive for, and those goals should be set high.
That goal is so much sweeter when you work hard to attain it, and it all comes down to the old saying you have already heard - opportunity to reach your goal is right in front of you. You can either sit on the couch and dream big, or you can take full advantage of those opportunities.
The quality of today's Airmen continues to impress me every day in all aspects. You are a young, smart, hard working force. Continue to set high aspirations for yourself and others. Remember to take advantage of the opportunities the Air Force and life presents, and even when life gives you lemons, just make lemonade.