Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 2-12-16

2 Desert Wings Commentary February 12, 2016
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My oath of enlistment

by Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Hughes clearly communicate today what could not be communicated equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights
of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, which was
McConnell AFB, Kansas yesterday, to achieve today those things that were unachiev- ZRQWKURXJKVDFUL¿FHVDQGEORRGRIRUGLQDU\FLWL]HQVGXULQJ
extraordinary times) against all enemies, foreign and do-
able yesterday. mestic (I don’t care who you are or where you come from, if
I have been asked many times throughout my career why 7KH¿QDOWKLQJ,EHOLHYHLVWKDWHDFKLQGLYLGXDOVKRXOG you threaten the “Idea” you are an enemy); that I will bear
I joined the military. true faith and allegiance to the same (I believe in and am
clearly understands what they got themselves into. Does loyal to the Constitution); and that I will obey the orders
I typically answer, “For fortune and glory, isn’t that why the individual have an understanding of the oath they have (directives, guidance) of the President of the United States
everyone joined?” (the Commander and Chief of the Armed Forces) and the
taken and does it mean something to them, or is it just a RUGHUVRIWKHRI¿FHUVDSSRLQWHGRYHUPHHYHU\RI¿FHU
My response usually gets a little chuckle, which lasts long bunch of words they parrot? I am sometimes a little slow regardless of my personal feelings or opinions), according
enough for me to change the subject. I change the subject on the uptake, so it took me several re-enlistments to truly to regulations (written military operating guidelines and
because I don’t believe why a person choses to serve is JUDVSWKHPDJQLWXGHRIZKDW,JRWP\VHOILQWR,¿JXUHGRXW rules) and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (laws that
relevant. Each individual should have their own purpose the oath of enlistment when I personalized the phrases and govern military moral and ethical behaviors necessary for
for serving, and I don’t believe one reason is better than the was able to recite the oath without crib notes. WKHJRRGRUGHUDQGGLVFLSOLQHRID¿JKWLQJIRUFHSo help
next. So, if why someone choses to serve isn’t all that impor- This is my version of the oath of enlistment: me God.” (War is ugly. When provoked, the fury we, my
tant, what is? There are three things I believe truly matter. brothers and sisters, will unleash against our enemies will
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First and foremost is the person volunteered. They were “I, Shawn Michael Hughes (me, myself, and I), do sol- Gen. Hal Moore, “Hate war, love the warrior.”)
not coerced, threatened and they joined of their own free emnly swear (my word is my bond, on my mother’s grave,
will. When a person raises their right hand and recites the cross my heart hope to die stick a needle in my eye) that I serve because I choose to serve. I am making a conscious
oath, they join an elite group of men and women, and I I (not my brother or sister, friend, neighbor, acquaintance, decision. When I recite this oath, I clearly understand the
don’t want anyone in uniform who is not serving of their or any other person I pass on the street) will support and UDPL¿FDWLRQVRIP\DFWLRQV
own volition.
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The second thing I care about is that our military men and if necessary die for) the Constitution of the United States
women give their very best every single day. Every day is a (an “Idea” for a better government of the people, by the
new day and a new opportunity to be a little better than the people, for the people, fueled by The Declaration of Inde-

day before: to get right today what was wrong yesterday, to pendence which hinges on the idea that all men are created
Staying true to the new you

by Senior Airman Jonathan Bass day at the gym, except it seems like all right for you to assist them on their form. ings, learn from those around you, and ask
Shaw AFB, S.C. they can do is attempt to wade through the Encourage them, rather than post embar- how they got started. But most importantly,
ÀRRGRI³UHVROXWLRQHUV´ rassing videos of them online. Remember, don’t quit.
Grizzled gym rats who have made the these are your wingmen; you may have
gym their second home know what time of For “resolutioners,” myself included, to deploy with them one day. Who better For warrior Airmen, we should dream of
year this is: resolution season. WKLVVHDVRQFDQDOVREHGLI¿FXOW+RZGR to get them to where they need to be than DGD\ZKHQQRQHRIXVFDQ¿QGDSDUNLQJ
you stay focused when there are so many you? spot at the gym because everyone there
The season when there’s never a good distractions? Where do you even start? is putting forth maximum effort to be as
parking spot, all the lockers are full, and How do you learn to interpret the hiero- For us “resolutioners,” don’t be the S K \ V L F D O O \ ¿ W D V W K H \ F D Q E H : K L O H W K D W
that one person who has no idea how to glyphic instructions on the machines? person who thinks they know it all. Start dream may be far reaching, it’s still pos-
use the leg press machine just won’t get simple; you’d be surprised at what you sible, with some help and support from
off the equipment. We all have a role to play in this new can accomplish with a Stairmaster and a RQH¿WQHVVZDUULRUWRDQRWKHUVWHSE\VWHS
year. For those of you who have fitness couple dumbbells. Ask for assistance, put pound by pound.
,WFDQEHDWULFN\WLPHRI\HDUIRU¿WQHVV down to a science, try working on your pride or fear aside and realize we’re all in
enthusiasts. For those whose routines are patience. If someone looks like they could this together. Be aware of your surround-
the same year-round, it’s just like any other use a hand, offer one. Ask if it would be all

Commander’s
Action Line

email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil

The Commander’s Action Line gives all Airmen, re-
tirees, families and community members a direct link to
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.
The Action Line can be used to express constructive
points of view on the policies and procedures of the
base; discuss safety and security issues; and address
problems, concerns, or suggestions after traditional
methods have been exhausted.

The Commander’s Action Line should not be the
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RIFRPPDQGDQGWDNHXSWKHPDWWHUZLWKWKHRI¿FHRI
SULPDU\UHVSRQVLELOLW\VXSHUYLVRUV¿UVWVHUJHDQWVRU
commanders.

Action Line queries may be submitted by sending an
e-mail to speak2cc@edwards.af.mil with Commander’s
Action Line as the subject heading or by calling (661)
277-7325. Action Line submissions must be written in
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