Attitude is everything Published March 17, 2009 By Col Christopher T. Emmert 436th Mission Support Group commander DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- This past week I celebrated 32 years since my initial enlistment in our Air Force and it caused me to reflect on all the changes I've witnessed over the course of three decades. Since that time we've served under six Presidents, nine Secretary of Defense, 20 Secretary of the Air Force and 12 Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Every current Major Command has been established since my enlistment and we've changed utility uniforms four times. Our weapon systems have also changed dramatically since the time I first entered our Air Force. At that time the F-4 Phantom and the F-106 Delta Dart were our air superiority fighters, the B-1A Lancer was in developmental flight test and scientists were just beginning to theorize about stealth technology. In those days the C-141A Starlifter was the Air Force's primary strategic airlifter and the C-5A Galaxy was a relatively new aircraft. Suffice it to say, this little trip down memory lane reviled, I've lived through more change in my Air Force career than can be captured in this entire newspaper. There is one thing I do recall that has not changed in 32 years and will never change. A positive, can do, attitude is the key to individual and mission success. People who believe in themselves, understand they are blessed and live for today far out perform those with low self esteem, complain about their surroundings and muddle in their past failures. If you really think about it, there is a lot to be positive about as an Air Force team member. Believe in yourself. To be able to join our active duty Air Force one must be in top physical health, demonstrate a high aptitude for learning and be of high moral character. Just these few basic Air Force entry criteria's alone sets you apart from John C. Public. Look at yourself in the mirror and compare yourself with those you commonly see when downtown. Physically you can outrun, outwork and outplay nearly all those you meet. Be proud of the fact you take the time and energy to remain physically fit. Whether you took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test or the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test to enter our Air Force, know that you've been mentally tested and determined to be among our nations brightest. You have the proven mental capability to excel in tech schools, upgrade training, Professional Military Education and obtain college degrees. You're a person of high moral character. The fact that you chose to serve higher good by joining the military is a testament that you seek to make our world a better place for all to live. Your background check also reinforces this fact. There is no doubt you have the capability to do whatever you're asked to accomplish. You've already passed the physical, mental and moral test when you qualified to become an Airman. Knowing this should be cause for you to take great pride and believing in yourself. Understand you are blessed. Most of us that have deployed at one time or another; we've seen first-hand the differences in the quality of life we enjoy in the United States compared with the third world. Although our country is temporary experiencing some tough times, I doubt that any of us would trade our way of life with those abroad. We are very fortunate to be American's and enjoy the safeguards and privileges being an American brings. As Airman we enjoy even a higher quality of life than those we serve. We are well paid, have the best in health care, are respected and held in high esteem by those we serve. We are guaranteed opportunities for advancement on a competitive basis and are encouraged and reward for furthering our education. As you already know, we are physically and mentally capable for advancement. It's all in how hard we want to work for it! If you stop and think about it, only for a moment, you'll understand just how blessed we are as Airmen. Live for today. Often we spend far too much time and energy dwelling in the past. What has occurred in our lives, both positive and negative, both successes and failures are behind us. There is nothing we can do about the past; so what is the point in wasting our energy on something we cannot change. What we can change is what we are doing today. We can give a 100 percent effort in all we do, be it at work in our official jobs, volunteering in our community or church, or spending quality time with our families. Work hard and play hard today, for we do not know what tomorrow brings. Giving 100 percent in all that we do also prepares for success when the opportunity rises. If we believe in ourselves, realize how blessed we are and live for today we will invariable we project a positive "can do" attitude that is a formula for success. Look around you at the top performers in your unit and around the base as a whole. You'll see as I do that the one thing they have in common is a positive attitude. Remember "Attitude is Everything."