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.

Commitment

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Cavaliero
  • 305th Civil Engineer Squadron
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  Commitment as defined by Webster's dictionary is "something which engages one to do something." Throughout our military career and personal lives we make numerous commitments. We commit to join the military, get married, have children, get degrees, join various organizations, re-enlist ect. Along with making these commitments we need to ensure we do not over do it, or worse yet do nothing. 

Throughout my career I have seen members who feel the need to be involved in everything. This can have disastrous effects. It can affect your job, family and the organizations you are involved in. When we make commitments we need to ensure what is involved and do we have the time and ability to see the commitment through. 

It's important to finish whatever we committed to. There will be times when our commitments will do battle with each other. When this happens we need to sit back and make adjustments on what is important, and not so important. Make sure you take the time do this, for if you make the decision too fast you may lose your career, family or the organization you belong to. 

Your family should be your number one commitment. When your military career is over, it's your family that has stuck with you throughout and it's your family you go back to. Next is your job. It's not just your AFSC specific job but your job as a United States Air Force military member. It is your duty to do your best and to do the things necessary to progress throughout your career. This is where I see the problems of competing commitments causing problems for military members. 

To progress in our career we need to attend PME, get a degree, go on deployments, do volunteer work, and continue training to maintain and progress in our specific AFSC just to name a few. All these things take time out of our lives to accomplish and we need to balance all our commitments to ensure we have the time to meet them all. When I say meet them, it's not just showing up but being an active participant. When making the decision to commit or not look at what you are currently involved in and the implications in the future. If you need help talk to your supervisor, 1st Shirt, or Squad Chief. They know what it takes to progress throughout a career and still maintain all the other commitments. 

Making commitments takes thought. Take the time to think out if you have the time and energy to fulfill the commitment and if you have over committed yourself then you need to rethink what is important and make adjustments.