Farewell Golden Bears and stay strong

  • Published
  • By Col. Corey Martin
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  I have a framework I like to use when facing challenges: In the beginning, start strong; in the middle, stay strong; and at the end, finish strong.

While simple, it is not necessarily easy to execute.

During the past 19 months, I shared that framework of "start strong, stay strong, and finish strong" with each First Term Airman Course I had the honor to address. I tell them that the framework can be used for success in a variety of challenges from the 1.5-mile fitness run, to a deployment, an assignment or even a career.

For FTAC classes, I focus on "starting strong." FTAC students are new to the Air Force and brand new to Travis Air Force Base, California. For the most part, they arrive with a clean slate and a desire to learn and succeed.

I encourage them to exceed the expectations that are set for a new Airman because it will serve them long into their career. Thinking of my own experience, I can still trace some of my current opportunities back to my decision to start strong as a second lieutenant more than 20 years ago.

If I consider the 60th AMW and Travis on a daily basis, I realize the team's focus is on staying strong. The starting line was more than seven decades ago and the finish line is at least that many decades into the future. The Golden Bear legacy remains one of staying strong.

When I took command, the Golden Bear legacy was strong with recent outstanding Operational Readiness Inspection results and historic humanitarian support to Japan, Haiti and the Northeast U.S. I am proud that it has stayed strong during the past 19 months with Ebola support, the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Afghanistan retrograde, Commander-in-Chief Installation Excellence award wins and much, much more. I am proud to have served alongside the Golden Bears during such a significant period of time.

With only a few days left in command, I am now focused on finishing strong. At a macro level, if I think of my Air Force career, I am probably in the last one-third of my time in uniform.

I need to finish strong. I don't want to stumble before the finish line and leave a legacy that would not measure up to the strong Golden Bear legacy that Travis has enjoyed for decades.

As I leave the Golden Bears of Travis for Korea, I know that our legacy of excellence will continue because of your strength, vigilance, relentless drive, and resiliency. In the future, I encourage all of you to stay strong as new challenges and opportunities arise.

Golden Bears, I am proud of your selflessness, your endurance and your successes. On behalf of my wife, Holly, and our children, Winnie, Jack and Amelia, thank you for letting us be a part of your team. Farewell and stay strong.