Service
HOOAH!
This past week I had the privilege to take my place as a student in the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy in sunny Montgomery, Alabama. For me this is a welcome break from the snowy hills and fields of Offutt AFB; however it is more than just that—it is a chance to refocus on what we are truly here for…Service.
Understandably, the curriculum with cover additional topics such as Profession of Arms, communication, physical conditioning and joint war fighting concepts but the true backbone of this course, in my opinion, is to collectively share experiences, “reblue” ourselves and focus on building communication networks with fellow SNCOs to better help us hone our service capacities.
Dictionary.com defines service as, “an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service”; to me this simply means “to do for those who can’t”. Those of us who have the honor and privilege to wear the uniform of the United States Air Force provide an invaluable service day after day, 24/7—for every man, woman, and child fortunate to be called American. Additionally, our warriors in blue are deployed worldwide providing aide, humanitarian relief and security to our friends and allies who need assistance. Our determination, dedication and commitment remain as staunch as ever.
Our dedication to service should not end at the conclusion of our duty day nor following deployments. It must be consistently tested and demonstrated 365 days a year both personally and professionally. As members of the Air Force Sergeants Association we demonstrate our commitment to service and overall protection and betterment of the enlisted corps at our home chapters as do our leaders in Washington. It is this continuum of service that provides the foundation for solid organizations.
Brothers and sisters of AFSA, I encourage you to perform a “gut check” and check your vector regarding service. If it is off than dial it back in—if it is on, then use those principles to inspire a peer to do the same. Collectively we must embrace service as a core bedrock principle of life for if we don’t do it—who will…?
SMSgt Matthew “Mad Dog” Becker
AFSA Chapter 984