First impressions are lasting impressions

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. James Royuela
  • 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Remember the first time you met your military training instructor? I'm sure most of us reading this article even remember what he or she may have said during those first few moments. That first meeting was probably so profound, that in many cases, it left a lasting first impression that stayed with us for many years. First impressions are so important that you often remember what the other person was wearing or what time of day it was when you met. This same principal applies in our everyday lives with one basic rule: You only have one chance to make a good first impression.

I recently had the opportunity to meet two newly assigned Airmen in my squadron. Both Airmen were recent Basic Military Training/Technical School graduates and both were roughly the same age with one big difference; attitude. The first individual, who we'll call Airman Smith, was very courteous and polite with excellent military bearing. He stood at parade rest when he spoke and answered all of my questions with a "Yes Sir/No Sir" and he had a great attitude. I had a very positive first impression of this sharp young Airman. The second individual on the other hand, who we'll call Airman Jones, left a much different first impression. To start with, Airman Jones remained seated while he was addressing me, until I politely asked him to stand up. He then responded to my questions with a "yeah" (until I reminded him that "yeah," is not a military term. Needless to say, I didn't have a good first impression of Airman Jones.

In our busy Air Force we never know when the next mission will come, or where it will take us. But one thing is certain, we will meet many people along the way and we only have one chance to make a good first impression. Many of the people you meet will be civilians and the first impression you leave with them will either be good or bad, and they will most likely remember you for years to come. In many cases, people will remember a bad first impression for a much longer time than the good one. The next time you're out there moving the mission and meeting people, remember you represent the Air Force and you only have one chance to make a first impression; make sure it's a good one.