Pride should be obvious in base, personal appearance

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th AMW command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As the command chief I've had numerous opportunities to speak at different venues. One of my favorites is speaking to our Airmen at the First Term Airmen Center. 

The size of the class usually ranges somewhere between 25 to 35 Airmen. I normally have an hour block. I spend approximately 40 minutes discussing current events within our Air Force and here at Travis, career progression, being a great Air Force citizen and several other topics. I use the last 15 minutes for a question and answer period. 

The one question I receive more often than not is how do I get my boots and uniform to look like yours do? And, it never fails to amaze me at how the Airmen sit anxiously awaiting my response as though I'll provide them an old ancient recipe for ironing my uniform and polishing my boots. 

Simply put, the answer is "Professional Pride." I am proud of being a member of the Senior Non-commissioned Officer Corps and the world's greatest Air and Space Force. 

This is our base, and our mission...we are apart of something larger and greater than ourselves; from airman basic to brigadier general we all have a stake in mission accomplishment here at Team Travis. 

We should take pride in being a valued member of Team Travis and this great institution, the United States Air and Space Force. That pride should manifest itself in base and personal appearance. 

Professional pride is nothing more than "caring"...caring about the image you portray and the example you set for your Airmen....talking the talk and walking the walk. 

Professional pride is what compels you to stay at work a little later or arrive early to ensure you're prepared when your day begins. It's that fire that radiates inside which fuels us to lead by example and to be the very best Air Force citizen we can be. 

Professional pride is what induces the wing commander to stop to pick-up a piece of paper instead of passing it by. 

I tell you, each day I don my uniform I swell up with pride because I realize I stand for freedom and democracy; and every man, woman or child regardless of race, color, age or national origin, residing under Old Glory is free to choose and afforded the same opportunities. 

No, I'm not naïve to believe we are perfect. In fact, we have a great deal of work to accomplish; however, we're still second to none. 

So take pride in being the best, the best the world has ever seen...those 10 letters you have the honor of displaying over your left pocket, "U.S. Air Force," is why I take pride in wearing my uniform and looking my very best.