What a rich experience! Published July 25, 2007 By Lt. Col. James Kott 572d Global Mobility Squadron commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- On a recent trip overseas, I had a chance to reflect on the vast experiences and opportunities we enjoy in our Air Force life. While we all joined the military for different reasons and understand the risks associated with our dedication to a secure country, our service benefits us with a very rich way of life. If we compare our lifestyle to our civilian counterparts, there are three areas that make our military service so rich and rewarding. The first area that makes our experience so rich is the opportunity for training. Whether you are trying to get your associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree, the Air Force makes it incredibly easy and cheap to reach those education goals. All you have to do is visit your education center. This education is in addition to our first class technical training, continuation training and any professional military education you might be lucky enough to receive. It is amazing to think about how much this education is worth. Are you the first one in your family to earn an associate or bachelor's degree? Have you learned technical and leadership skills you will use the rest of your life? What a rich experience! The second area that makes our Air Force experience so rich is the opportunity to see parts of the world most Americans only dream about. Whether you PCS and live half way around the country or half way around the world, given enough time you, will visit hundreds of new places and have the chance to experience completely different cultures and peoples. Who can forget the taste of their first taste of a shwarma or kimchee? Do you remember your first ride on the Tokyo Subway? How about completing your first Volksmarch in Germany or buying a rug in Turkey? What a rich experience! Lastly, and most importantly, the Air Force way of life offers us the chance to experience extremely gratifying personnel and professional relationships with the best people our country has to offer. Even though our squadron mates come from all walks of life, we end up with the same mission. There is something in how we live together, work together and celebrate together that makes these relationships very deep and lasting. Do you still keep in touch with your first roommate from basic training or tech school? Can you call an old Air Force buddy in any corner of the country and have a bedroom waiting for you? What a rich experience! Given a chance to reflect on our way of life too, most would agree our Air Force experience is extremely rewarding and rich. In no other occupation will you have a chance to get an outstanding education, see obscure parts of the world, or make such deep and lasting relationships. So if you have one month left in the Air Force or 19 years, take advantage of this rich experience and relish every opportunity to grow. You may not have these opportunities when your military service is complete.