Make positive career, personal choices

  • Published
  • By Col. Tracey Skelton
  • 615th Contingency Response Group commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  As leaders, we all want to think we can impart the secret of a successful career to our Airmen, but is there really a set path we should all follow? I honestly believe the path to success is different for each of us and we are the only ones who can define success for ourselves. There are some common factors that will enable and enhance our journey to success.

The first is simply enjoying what you do for a living. If you are happy at work you will be happier at home and in turn be a better friend, parent and spouse. If you dread going to work, whether on the flight line, in the office or in the air then you should be doing something else. If you love your job you will do a great job and people will notice your work and reward you appropriately. It is not always about doing what other people expect, but doing what is best for you and your family.

We all know of those Airmen who religiously followed the Air Force career path and were miserable and in the end did not reach their career goals. Sometimes it does work out for the individual and that is great. I know when you enjoy your work and you show up everyday with a smile on your face, that enthusiasm and attitude sets the tone for the entire unit. When everyone is excited about coming to work, that is a unit everyone will want to be a part of. That enthusiasm and camaraderie will help everyone be better Airmen.

The second factor is making a choice to get better every day. My Airmen are probably tired of me saying that to them, but it is something I picked up from Alabama football coach Nick Saban. He challenged his team to wake up every morning, take a good look in the mirror and then make a decision. You can only make one of three choices - get better, stay the same or get worse. I challenge each Airman to make that decision to get better today. You can accomplish this goal in any number of ways: you can take an online class, increase your fitness score, or read a book from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force's reading list or study for an upcoming promotion test. It really does not matter, as long as you are taking a step forward and you are making that decision to get better today.

Finally, you have to take advantage of the opportunities the Air Force offers. Two good ones are education and Thrift Savings Plan. The best thing going for any Airmen is the educational opportunities the Air Force has available. Education is something you will continue to do your entire career whether by getting your Community College of the Air Force degree, Professional Military Education, an undergraduate or graduate degree or functional specialty courses. If it benefits the Air Force, benefits you and the service is paying the bill then you are missing out if you do not take advantage of those opportunities.

While you are signing up for that first class, go ahead and sign up for the TSP as well. It is never too early to start saving for your future and the experts say pay yourself before anyone else. One of the best ways to do this is through TSP. Set aside whatever you can and make a goal to periodically increase the amount until you are able to maximize your monthly participation. Learn from those of us who spent every dime we had during our early years in the service not thinking about the future. I will be unable to reach my goal because I started too late. It's your money, you have earned it so, again, pay yourself first.

Summer is a time to be happy, get better and take advantage of everything available to each and every Airman. It is your choice, it is your career and each of you has the power to make the best decisions for your life.