'One to a Full Stop:' A Reflection of Service

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Gabriel Griess
  • 615th Contingency Operations Support Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Today, I am retiring after more than 20 years of active-duty Air Force service.

It has been an incredible journey that has taken me to more than 40 countries. I have been immersed in cultures, taught countless leadership lessons and shown that people are people. Most have the same desires for their family's safety, education and a better future.

This article is a celebration of friendship, service, patriotism, and legacy. Since my first day at the Air Force Academy I found a lifelong friend in Cadet Sellers.  For the first year Kevin stood behind me like a sentry protecting me from what I could not see. Day after day, standing in formation, his view remained unchanged--the back of my head.

Today we still stand together as lieutenant colonels and he still has my back.  Friendship and trust tempered in the fire and strain of service is lasting, but friends share in your triumphs as well. 

Sellers and another cadet-era friend, Col. Mike Thompson, stood by me and my wife Kristie on our wedding day, not far from where we stood as cadets.  Once again, they stand by us as we close this chapter in our lives.  To Mike, Kevin and all the brothers and sisters in arms I've served with, thank you.

Service is an interesting word. It is used very freely in our society; however, in the military, service is saturated with selfless action.

In garrison or in combat, our ethos is to put others first, sometimes to our own detriment and peril. Whether sergeant or general, each is focused on his or her effort to achieve the mission. Obstructing the mission for self-interest or petty difference is at best unacceptable and worst, treason.

Patriotism is a word that swells my chest and brings a tear to my eye. One must be a patriot to raise his or her right hand and swear an oath: "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."

I met a Vietnam veteran outside the base dental clinic recently and I said, "thank you for your service." He responded with, "You are the second person who's ever said that to me."

I am saddened by that detail, yet honored that today, America understands and treasures the service of her sons and daughters. I am eager to ensure the next generation of veterans is honored with reverence and support.

Legacy is what makes our armed forces the best in the world. We spend our early duty years honing our craft. We then begin to teach and inspect the efforts of other service members. In the end, we've trained the next generation of warriors to stand guard in our place.
Through it all, mission is paramount and nothing may distract from doing what is right. Some of my brightest moments of service have been when folks have called or asked for my council and I have been able to offer them help. I am grateful the Weapons Officer Creed taught us to be humble, approachable and credible.

Tomorrow, the sun will rise, the mission will continue and America will be preserved. I will don the moniker Mister, and begin telling the tales of my past service, while thanking those who continue to serve.

As I pack up my last A-bag I am warmed to know that my wife Kristie and children Preston, Mikayla, and Harrison are eagerly awaiting my first day as a civilian. If I were back in the mighty C-130 Hercules, this last approach to the airfield would be a landing then taxi to parking--"one to a full stop."

However, we are looking forward to more opportunities and years of service awaiting us just beyond the horizon.