The Change
by John B
I was twenty-one and going nowhere in life. MEPS and the testing was my way to make something of myself. I was in for a life-changing experience, which would affect me and my loved ones. As I started basic Training, the work, the tears and the time was unbearable, but I learned skills that I apply to this day. I moved on to various assignments and traveled the world. Met many new people, and saw change in the military from the Cold War to “less with more” and “strategic versus tactical”. Things I may have never learned. Even past my mid career level, I did it and continued to stay in the military because I loved it, but I was starting to have doubts. I was doing something that helped, but could I do more. And then it happened. Sept 11, a day I will never forget. It changed the world and it changed my outlook. Though I enjoyed the Air Force, I didn’t know why. After that day, I took a new found pride in what I did. I took a pride I had never known in the Air Force and in our country. That single day helped show me what we were doing, and I continued on my career path until retirement and a feeling of a job well done. The Air Force means different things to different people including: A job, a way of life, a way out, a way to travel, and much more. To me, the Air Force is that but more importantly it is Pride, Honor, Camaraderie, Country, and Loyalty. I guess one would ask, would you do it again? The answer is a resounding yes, and I will always support anyone, including my children who serve our country.