CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Let me start by saying that I am truly proud to serve this wonderful country and grateful for the opportunity.
I can remember back in the 80's as a teenager trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and weighing my options. I worked full time for a year after graduation to purchase a car so I could have transportation to school when I decided to attend college. I attended college for a year and a half and then decided I wanted to see the world. What better way to do that than join the Air Force.
I got it all, a job, an opportunity to complete college and a chance to see the world! Now I'm telling my story 21 years later and I have the best job in the Air Force, a first sergeant.
Being a first sergeant is the most rewarding job that I have had since enlisting, although my other two career fields laid the foundation. It makes me feel good when I can help someone in need or just give a word of advice. No matter where I am, I know that I can be of service to our Airmen or a member of our sister services.
As I am deployed right now to Ft. Sill Army Post in Lawton, Okla., I am helping more than 170 trainees prepare to forward deploy to Afghanistan and Iraq.
A young Airman who has had some trouble in the past came to me for advice. Although he was from another base and didn't know me from Adam, he felt comfortable enough to seek me out and ask for some advice.
We sat down and chatted for awhile. He seemed sincere and he gave it to me straight. He admitted that he messed up in the past, but was trying really hard to recover. At the end of our conversation, he thanked me for listening and seemed to have a positive outlook on the future.
No matter where I am, I know that my services are needed to help someone as opposed to handling disciplinary issues.
I want people to know that you choose your destiny and you have to make the best out of the choices you make in life. Live life to the fullest and by all means, do what your heart desires.
It may not make you a millionaire or take you to the most glamorous locations in the world, but as long as you are happy, what more could you ask for? I truly believe that you live a much fuller, satisfying life when you are doing what your heart desires. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
My desire is to help as many people as I can reach their full potential and their destinies. I get to have a captive audience of airmen and junior NCOs regularly at Airman Leadership School and NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar. This gives me the opportunity to shed some light on the life of a first sergeant and my expectations as a Senior NCO for them, our future leaders.
Choose your destiny and live life to the fullest. Remember, you can do whatever you put your mind to. I'm living the dream and each and every one of you can live your dream too.