Are you happy to be here, proud to serve?

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kimberley Hammond
  • 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Coming to work last Tuesday, knowing that approximately 700 civilian workers on base were going to have to put on their out of office messages, pack up and go home for an undisclosed amount of time was heart-breaking to all Airmen.

The uncertainty of it all is was the hardest part, especially for those who just got furloughed. How long would this furlough last? Would they get paid? When would they get paid? How could the government do this to them again? All good questions that were being asked, but not an answer in sight.

Luckily, the furlough lasted just four days. Monday, as I was talking with one of the previously furloughed civilians, he stated to me that he was "happy to be here and proud to serve." My initial impression was "good, that's nice," and as we finished our conversation, I was blown away by what he just said. Someone who just last week didn't know when he was going to be coming back to work, didn't know when he would be receiving a paycheck, just told me that he was happy to be here and proud to serve. Shivers ran down my spine.

It made me think about Airman in general. Is that how every Airman feels? Or do some of our Airman just take for granted that they will have a job when they wake up? Do they just expect that their paychecks will be deposited on the 1st and 15th of the month? How many Airman grumble and moan as they drive into work every day? Always asking when the next holiday or family day is? Complaining that they work too hard or too long, in the cold, in the heat and what not? Wanting to know if they can go home early or come to work late?

Maybe we all need to stop and re-evaluate our priorities. Maybe we all need to stop and think about why we serve our country.

I am not sure if you joined the military for educational benefits, health care, travel or a paycheck, but no matter your reason, do you put forth 100 percent each and every day? Are you happy to be at your unit? Do you create a productive environment in which others thrive? Do you appreciate everything the military lifestyle has to offer? Are you proud to serve?

If you aren't sure then maybe you need to take a step back and re-evaluate your priorities and realize how good we have it.