CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
As I write this, I'm flooded with memories of the exciting and far-off places I've been, the people who have shaped me as a person and an Airman, and the many wonderful and not-so-wonderful experiences I've had in my 20 years of service.
Those 20 years include several bases and places, a loving wife, two wonderful children and more stripes than I ever thought I would earn ... and the pinnacle of my military career -- a first sergeant diamond on my sleeve. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years, and as I look forward to retirement and my transition to a new career, I wouldn't change too many things.
I've been fortunate to have great leaders who weren't afraid to correct me when I did something wrong or pat me on the back when I did something right. I came in before the Air Force adopted the core values we know today, but those ideals were already instilled into me as a young Airman. I don't see them as just ideals, but as a moral compass and a roadmap for success.
I was taught early on that I was responsible for my actions or my lack of actions and that integrity is fragile, easily lost but not easily recovered. I learned that integrity was doing the right thing, whether or not anyone was looking. Webster's dictionary defines "integrity" as a firm adherence to a code of especially moral values; the quality or state of being complete; united. We must hold ourselves to a high moral code and remain united against an enemy that wants to see our nation toppled. The same can be said for service before self.
Military service inherently calls for sacrifice from each of us and our families. Many times we've missed birthdays, holidays and anniversaries because of duty schedules, deployments or training. Our core values call for us to place the mission above our personal desires and wants, follow all rules and regulations, show respect to all -- not just our leaders but to our subordinates and peers also and to display discipline and self-control.
As Gen. George Patton once said, "It is absurd to believe soldiers who cannot be made to wear the uniform properly can be induced to move forward in battle." Simply put, we can't pick and choose which regulations to follow. If we can't follow the most basic rules, how can we be expected to perform in a stressful environment like combat?
All of our core values can be tied together with excellence in all we do. This is simply giving our best to each and every task whether it's professional or personal. Essentially, anything worth doing is worth doing right and doing right the first time.
As a young Airman, I remember attending a retirement ceremony for a master sergeant who retired after 20 years of service. After the ceremony, I got in line to shake his hand, congratulate him and thank him for his service. When I got to him he said, "Pay attention Davis and soak it all in. Twenty years flies by."
Believe me ... he was right, but if you set your moral compass and live by our core values, you can look back after two years or 20 years and be proud of what you have accomplished and how our Air Force has grown. I know I am.