Perspective: Four years and I'm out?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Tuck
  • 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  I am willing to bet every Airman has heard these words at least once in his or her career: “Four years, and I’m out.”

Maybe it’s an off-hand remark at the end of a frustrating week or after a long, thoughtful gaze at the inviting green grass on the other side. Either way, most of us have considered it. 

But, somewhere along the way a change occurs. Whether the decision comes as a gradual realization or it hits you like a lightning bolt, something happens to change your mind.

Another quote you are likely to hear is: “I joined the Air Force to get money for college.” I’ve said it myself many times. The Montgomery G.I. Bill is the reason I enlisted, but not the reason I stayed.

Today’s Air Force is the most educated in history. For the enlisted, more Airmen hold associate’s and bachelor’s degrees today than ever before. On the officer side, master’s degrees are quickly becoming the norm. If it is knowledge you seek, the educational opportunities are there.

So, how does an Airman migrate from, “Should I stay or should I go” to a distinguished 20- or 30-year career? 

It may be the feeling of being part of a trusted and honorable profession. 

A Gallup poll in May 2005 asked adults nationwide how much confidence they had in a variety of professions: a great deal, quite a lot, some or very little. Seventy-four percent said they had a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the U.S. military. That ranks higher than all other entities offered by the survey, including: the police, organized religion, the president and banks. 

It may also be our accomplishments as a force.

The services people here provide more meals in one week than any one of us will consume individually in our entire lifetime. Think about that. Look at our civil engineers; in the past few weeks lodging tents have grown like mushrooms where parking lots once were. 

And of course, there is always the runway. When you have a chance, watch the aircraft come and go and think about the effort required to launch and fly those sorties. All of these great things are accomplished by Air Force and coalition units, but where the rubber meets the road there is an individual giving their best effort to bake the biscuits and turn the wrenches.

We all have days where our commitment is tested, but life has a funny way of changing you. “Four years and out” was my mantra some years and one reenlistment ago. I gradually realized the Air Force offers a great way of life, job satisfaction and a sense of team absent in many civilian careers.

The decision to stay in or separate is your personal choice to make. When you find yourself straddling the fence, your motivation tested and that grass on the other side is looking awfully green, watch our jets over head and remind yourself: "I did my job today."