CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Choices -- we all have them. We can choose to wear our uniform correctly, we can choose whether or not we're going to arrive at work on time and we can choose whether or not we are going to abide by the rules and regulations which govern us, not only as military members but as citizens of the United States of America.
Someone used to work for me that used the phrase, "I must have dropped my brain!" But when did he use that phrase? He used that phrase when he made a mistake, when he made a bad choice or when he made an error in judgment. If he had followed the regulations, thought before he acted or took his time in what he was doing, he wouldn't have "dropped his brain."
I had the opportunity to visit the Navy Consolidated Brig Charleston a few weeks ago. There were a lot of individuals in there who had "dropped their brain." They made bad choices, they had a lapse of judgment or dangerously enough, they thought they wouldn't get caught! Some may even have thought they didn't have a choice! They didn't have anyone telling them they were heading into a brick wall and warn them of the harm it could do.
I'm here today to give that warning to all of you who will listen. Regardless of what you may think, there are consequences and repercussions to everything we do! Every time we "drop our brain," it not only impacts you, it impacts the people around you. When you take shortcuts on your job, guess who has to come behind you and redo the work the right way. When you decide to come in late, or not come in at all, guess who has to take up the slack. Lastly, when you decide to drink and drive, guess who you harm or can potentially harm. Choices!
I'm asking ... no, I'm begging everyone who is reading this article to take an extra minute and make the right choice. Our parents taught us from a very young age that we could decide to touch that hot stove or not. Yes, that bright red color seemed to be calling our name. However, she gave us a warning, "You touch that stove and you're going to get burned." How many of you touched the stove? I'm trying to warn you now, "Don't touch the stove; you will get burned, and it won't be pretty!"
One very important book you can always keep as a handy reference to ensure you "don't drop your brain" is our United States Air Force Core Values Handbook. 1. Integrity First: "It is the 'moral compass' -- the inner voice; the voice of self-control." 2. Service Before Self: "To serve is to do one's duty, and our duties are most commonly expressed through rules ... good professionals understand that rules have a reason for being ..." 3. Excellence in All We Do.
The next time you're in a situation where you have to make a choice between right or wrong, remember our Air Force Core Values and Master Sgt. Beth Dickens pleading with you "not to drop your brain!"