Create 'sparks' to fuel fire of military career

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. David Williamsen
  • 71st Mission Support Group
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  The military draws our nation's finest young men and women into our ranks for many different reasons. Patriotism, job opportunities and the desire to "see the world" are just a few reasons.
Perhaps it's the education benefits, or the chance to be on the edge, deployed to a combat zone that influenced our Airmen, Sailors and Marines to sign up.
Regardless of the reason, military service provides opportunities to make a difference in our communities, society and the world. Your effectiveness and ability to make a difference doesn't happen just because you put on a uniform.
As a young man camping in the Rocky Mountains, I learned how to make a fire from a few sparks. With forethought and preparation, these sparks could be turned into a raging fire. I recommend a few principles, or "sparks," that when incorporated into your game plan provide a path for making your military service a raging success.
You may have come to service for purely selfish reasons, but after you have taken the oath it's time to focus on the core of your purpose -- serving your country, the United States of America, and defending our Constitution.
Often said, but let us never forget, our freedom comes with a price most often paid in blood. Our fellow citizens trust in our commitment to military service and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice. Our service can and does make a difference, 24 hours a day, 365 days each year. Never forget the spark your actions provide while serving our nation.
"Service Before Self" sounds familiar to most of us, right? You are not out for the "I" in service, but for the "we." Another spark is to think about how you can build yourself and others, looking for opportunities for growth and chances to develop teamwork in your duty assignment. Military service will provide natural occasions to develop leadership and teamwork. You can make a difference, both as a leader and a team player, just by using the spark of showing initiative.
As an individual servicemember, your impact may be limited, but by putting on our uniform we represent more than one million serving military members. What kind of impression are you making with your work and actions? Integrity and honesty are truly measured when no one is watching, but your deeds speak volumes about your character. Actions based on these two words mean you never need to recall what you said or have to rehearse what you would do in a given situation. Practiced together, these principles make a solid foundation for our military service to build on. These sparks can light the way for your actions, despite the barriers or challenges we all encounter.
As we carry out our duties, many times taking it to the next level is just a matter of attitude and commitment, not ability. As a wise father shared with me long ago, if you are going to do a task, why not do it well? Many times, a small additional effort can make a real difference between just completing a task versus showing you have mastered the task. Excellence is a spark that can light the way for others and will set you apart from the crowd. By making excellence a part of how you operate, you'll set your own standards for others to follow.
Each military member can make a positive difference with his or her attitude and by letting the sparks fly!