Why I serve

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Robert Brisson
  • 60th Operations Support Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As I approach my 27th year in the world's finest Air Force, I am often asked why I have chosen to stay in the service for so long. To me it's an easy and obvious answer. I stay for the same reason I first joined: I get the privilege of serving with the finest group of professionals I've ever known. Our service is comprised of men and women from different walks of life and ethnic backgrounds with one common bond - we're all professional Airmen. 

As professional Airmen we work long hours, often in less than ideal conditions, and not for the money, but for the pride, the heritage and for some, yes, the calling. We move frequently, upsetting the balance of the family. We move our children from one school to another, away from friends to new and strange locations. Our spouses are frequently forced to change jobs, never necessarily having an opportunity to make a "career." Or we are sometimes told to live away from our families. These challenges collectively make us a group of extraordinary people who are adaptable, versatile and stronger for it all. 

We share a common goal and experience that most people outside of military service simply do not understand. Our heritage, as short as it may be relative to the other proud services, is none the less ours; we share it, we're proud of it and we're building upon it. 

We serve our country knowing full well we may one day be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice. We are a nation in the middle of a long war against an enemy that will give no quarter. Make no mistake about it, our enemy will settle for nothing less than to destroy everything our nation is based upon. So, I am still here because what we do is absolutely important to this great nation and to the security of our way of life for which I cherish. Collectively we share this common goal, and I am proud to be one small part of the effort we put forth to find, fix and finish this enemy, in order to preserve freedom and our way of life. 

I stay because we share common values of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do. These core values drive our daily efforts and steer us to a collective common goal of nothing less than outstanding service to our great nation no matter our specialty. These common goals will serve us well as our Air Force continues take on the challenging issues of the recent past and those of the future. Therefore, I'd like to thank each of you and your families for the commitment and sacrifices to our great service. You are amazing and you are the reason I still serve.