Why stay?

  • Published
  • By Col. Herbert Phillips
  • 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Not too long ago, I was asked by a young Airman why I joined the Air Force and why I continue to stay in. The first question was pretty easy to answer, as my father and his father were both in the military. I had thoroughly enjoyed growing up in the close-knit military community.

When I was young, going to the base pool, participating in the youth center sports programs and walking to school with other Air Force children all shaped the way I was raised and how I saw the world. The friends I had while growing up shared the same experiences I did of moving every two to four years and starting over in new schools not knowing anyone. One thing you could always be sure of was that there were others going through the same thing, and you could always count on everyone to help each other out.

As I got older, military service took on a different meaning. I looked forward to the day I could don the uniform and serve this country in, what I consider, one of the noblest professions. On April 8, 1985, I started my journey.

At the time, I thought this Airman's second question was as easily answered as the first. I told him I stayed in the Air Force because I still enjoyed what I do and couldn't see myself doing anything else. I left the answer at that and went on discussing other issues of the day.

During the course of the next few days, that second question continued to nag at me, until one day while walking around the flightline, it donned on me why I still enjoy what I do and why I continue in the service to my country. I approached the first aircraft and watched, with amazement, two young Airmen working in the blistering heat to "green up" one of our aircraft. The aircraft skin was so hot it could easily burn you when touched, but these two Airmen had great attitudes, knew what needed to be done and that the job was theirs to do.

I proceeded to a second aircraft and encountered another maintainer on a stand under an engine, arms up to his elbows inside a mesh of lines and linkages. Oil was dripping all over and his arms were scrapped from the surrounding metal. I asked him to show me what he was working on, and you could hear the pride in his voice as he described the job and procedures he was working through.

I moved on to a third aircraft and ran into an aircrew that had just finished the first half of their mission. They had been preparing to go back for the second half when the flight was cancelled due to weather at the downrange location. They were helping the maintainers reconfigure the aircraft for the next day's flight and you could tell they were disappointed to not be able to finish their mission of moving troops in and out of Iraq.

Everywhere I went that day, I saw my fellow Airmen working hard, helping each other out and proud of what they were doing. I have seen that same attitude and pride across this base and others I've been stationed at, whether it is one of our defenders at the gates, our civil engineers keeping our power and air conditioners running or our aerial porters ensuring properly configured loads get to the aircraft on time.

I've seen it in our force support specialists ensuring we have good food to eat and activities to keep us entertained, to our medical professionals going the extra mile to keep us healthy and informed.

The examples go on and on, and it has become very clear to me why I stay in the Air Force and continue to serve. I still believe this is the noblest of professions, and I am honored to serve alongside men and women who take pride in their work, understand the meaning of duty and display integrity in everything they do. I am proud to continue to be a humble member of your team -- an Airman.

Have you ever thought about why you stay?

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