Opportunities

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jimmy W. Arnold
  • 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  We all know on page 2 of the base paper there will be an informative and inspirational article by a senior leader from across the wing.

Normally, the article will run the spectrum from the Air Force Core values, to leadership principles, to staying motivated and passing the new physical fitness test. But, of all the articles I have read throughout my career, there is one that I still recall.

It has been almost twenty years since I was a young Airman and arrived at my first duty station at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

I was a brand new C-130 loadmaster who was new to the Air Force and the Air Force way of life. I can't recall all the details of how I even came across the base newspaper, the "Drop Zone", or all of the exact details of the article, but to this day I still remember the essence of the article I am about to share with you.

The author was a prior enlisted Air Force major, just like me. In his article, he discussed how proud he was to be a member of the world's finest Air Force and all the great things the Air Force had done for him and his family.

The main point he focused on were the opportunities he had been provided and how those opportunities had enabled him to accomplish his life's goals and ambitions.

As a young Airman I was skeptical. I thought there had to be more to the story. Having made his way through college and receiving a commission in the Air Force, he had to have some form of special privileges, like his parents paying his way through college or being academically gifted and receiving some form of scholarship.

But, the major kept making the point that it's all about searching for opportunities and then taking advantage of them when they present themselves.

To this day, I still remember and think about that article. As I see it, it's not about the opportunities so much as acting on them. It is our point of reference and how we look and act upon each opportunity.

We're all very fortunate to be a part of a service that provides us with opportunities and encourages us to act on them, such as going to college, participating in community events, and yes, even fitness is an opportunity.

Each day we come into work we are provided the chance to make ourselves and Team Dover a better place. All of these things are opportunities to improve us as individuals and grow as professionals.

When your supervisor hands out a task, think of the possibilities afforded to you and how they can enhance your goals and ambitions. It is up to you to decide if it's part of your job or an opportunity to excel. Now, see how far you can take it.