An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Where does time go?

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Sandy Rivera
  • 514th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
MCGUIRE AFB --   I was just reading an article about the Air Force celebrating its 60th anniversary. Then it hit me: I've now been serving 32 years, and what a career it has been! The two biggest highlights for me have been people and change.

As I get older, the more I realize what the Air Force has done for me. Even way back when I was an airman, I knew this was for me.

The best thing about serving is the great people I have worked with and the opportunity of meeting new people and seeing different cultures around the world. I truly believe our heritage and core values make us the best in what we do. And if you believe in that, there's no way you can't succeed.
The Air Force took a young inner-city kid, and showed me responsibility, teamwork and-- most of all -- establishing goals.

Now, let's talk about change. If you've been in the Air Force any length of time you know change is constant, and that's a good thing. I've seen changes from regulations to AFIs, numerous changes in uniforms, leadership styles, quality era and Air Force mission expanding to space then cyber space and so on. But if we had no change since 1947, we would not be the best and most powerful Air Force in the world.

I can remember when we had no computers, which do most of our work today and track most of our data. On the flightline, we had basic tools in our tool boxes and a large work force to work with. You might say, well what's wrong with that? Well, in today's Air Force we have the greatest technology, the most awesome training and some of the brightest people around. Because of that, the Air Force has developed a culture and attitude to work smarter not harder, which has also given us the time to develop great supervisors and leaders.

We have learned how to bring out the best in our people. When I came into the Air Force in 1975, we were just Airmen in a career field. Today, from the moment you put on the uniform, you must consider yourself a member of an elite war-fighting team. As Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff, said in an article, "Today's Airmen are disciplined, agile, combat-focused and expeditionary."

So for those young Airmen who are just coming into today's Air Force, I say to you: There will always be change, some you will like and some you won't, but to be successful and make the ranks, learn your trade and become the best, live by the Air Force core values and you will have a great career.