Remember to eat dinner before dessert Published Sept. 1, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Parents instill many values into children during the developmental years and help mold and shape the young minds to be productive and capable adults. I remember my mother always telling me to eat all of my dinner before I could eat dessert. I had to clean my plate and trust me, that's exactly what I did. I had an obsession for sweets. She taught me the importance of putting nutrients and important foods into my body first. Then, as a reward, I could treat myself to some sort of sugary goodness if I had room in my stomach. This way of thinking translates well into adulthood and in my professional life, but not with my eating habits. I am considered an old man to many of my peers as an airman first class. I enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 26 and went through basic training being eight years older than most of the trainees in my flight. Many of them looked to me for advice because of my experience in the professional world. While talking to Airmen about specific issues, or in everyday conversation, many of them don't realize what their priorities should be when it comes to their military obligations. I've noticed over the last year that some servicemembers, many of different ranks, don't understand this concept of "dinner before dessert" when it comes to their professionalism on and off the job. Many focus on what they're doing after work or on the weekends and get through the day giving just enough effort to get the job done. This mentality and way of thinking is not what is expected in the military. When I didn't eat the important foods as a child and consumed nothing but junk, my health would be poor and my performance in school would suffer. Without the right amount of nutrients, my brain wouldn't work to its full potential. If we are primarily focused on our social life throughout the day, it is similar to ingesting nothing but sugar at every meal. Whether we are out late at night partying or up until sunrise playing Playstation, the odds we will be working at 100 percent the next day drops. Our production levels will decrease and our fatigued state of mind will have lingering effects on our performance. Many young servicemembers are so excited to be away from home for the first time they lose sight on what their true responsibilities are in the military. By no means am I saying not to enjoy the adventures and advantages the military can provide, but do it wisely. We all have a responsibility not only to ourselves, peers and superiors, but also most importantly to our country. Having a fun social life after work should be a reward for working hard on the job to the best of our ability, just like dessert is a reward for cleaning our plate at the dinner table. If you don't eat all your vegetables, you don't deserve that bowl of ice cream. What makes us think we deserve to have fun when we don't put in the work first? Put forth the maximum amount of effort to ensure the mission is accomplished and then reward yourself with fun. If we don't put service before self, how can we say we have integrity first without showing excellence in all we do?