What the Air Force Means To Me
   by Karen G

As I approach my 21st year anniversary in the Air Force, I sit back and think about why do I serve. I learned “mission first, people always” from my commanding officer while stationed in Alaska. There’s a lot of significance behind that statement. Let me tell you what the Air Force means to me.

From my dream of traveling the world to discover opportunities not available to me in my hometown of Los Angeles, to the guaranteed job as a personnel specialist, I wanted to do something different in my life that would make my family proud of me.

The Air Force invigorates a sense of pride for me as an enlisted airman. Through the years, I have always held that pride of service as a match word in my heart and it has taken me a long way, through thick and thin. I am not saying serving in the military is easy, however, the sacrifices we make to get the mission done are immeasurable. I cannot think of a better way to show my pride as an American citizen than as to serve our country with pride.

From the synergy of teamwork, we work hard and long to make things happen. The loyalty and dedication of Air Force members is a true testament that we are in the right business for the right reasons. Through humility and pride we serve our country. We strive to assist the community by volunteering our talents to make neighborhoods around the world a better place to live. I am especially grateful to the military spouses who have been available to take care of our children so we could get the mission done. To each and every airman, past, present, I salute you.