Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 11-25-15
P. 2
Desert Wings Commentary November 25, 2015
2 www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
Volunteerism affects positive change
by Lt. Col. Stephen A. Simko Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” volunteer efforts have centered on coaching youth sports
Travis AFB, Calif. and volunteering with Boy Scouts of America. Were those
Although the basic premise of volunteering is to help opportunities challenging, time consuming, stressful and lots
Throughout our military careers, we often talk of being a VRPHRQHHOVHWKHUHDUHDQXPEHURIEHQH¿WVWKHYROXQWHHU of work? Absolutely. However, that is never what comes to
volunteer force, a subset of our culture that has volunteered mind when I look back on my efforts.
to serve our country in the profession of arms. receives as well. For starters, there are psychological ben-
H¿WV0DUN6Q\GHUDSV\FKRORJLVWDQGKHDGRIWKH&HQWHUIRU The best memories that come to mind are that of a kid that
Without disrespect to anyone currently in uniform or those ZDVYHU\VK\DQGDIUDLGRIFDPSLQJRQKLV¿UVWWULSHDUQLQJ
WKDWKDYHVHUYHGEHIRUHPH,KDYHDOZD\VEHHQLQFRQÀLFW the Study of the Individual and Society at the University of KLV(DJOH6FRXW¿YH\HDUVODWHURUWKDW\HDUROGWKDWZDV
over the military/volunteer discussions. Granted, there were about to quit volleyball but grew into the sport and went on
times in our past when the draft was in place and a number Minnesota, states that “people who volunteer tend to have to play collegiately; or even a former athlete I coached at the
RIRXUQDWLRQ¶VFLWL]HQVZHUHIRUFHGLQWRVHUYLFH0\FRQÀLFW middle school level that later joined the military.
centers on the aspect that we are all compensated for our higher self-esteem, psychological well-being, and happiness.
service, we receive some amount of pay, housing allow- 7KHUHLVQRZD\RIPHDVXULQJWKHVSHFL¿FLPSDFW,¶YHKDG
DQFHVERQXVHVDWWLPHVPHGLFDOEHQH¿WVDQGDYDULHW\RI All of these things go up as their feelings of social connect- over the years on those I have served, but I like to think that
RWKHUEHQH¿WVWKURXJKRXWRXUFDUHHU I have at a minimum been a positive role model to all those
edness goes up, which in reality, it does. It also improves I have volunteered with.
%\GH¿QLWLRQ\HVZHGLGDOOYROXQWHHUWRVHUYHRXUFRXQ-
try in the military. But when I talk about volunteerism, I am their health and even their longevity.” In closing, former British Prime Minister Winston
referring to those that have given their own time and energy Churchill stated, “We make a living by what we get. We
to serve others — these are the people I have the highest In a recent study from Carnegie Mellon University, pub- make a life by what we give.”
level of respect. It is this type of volunteerism that I think
each and every one of us owes to the various communities lished in the Psychology and Aging journal, adults over age
we live in throughout our careers.
50 who volunteered on a regular basis were less likely to
There are number of great quotes relative to volunteerism,
one that struck a chord with me is from Gandhi who said, develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers, demon-
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the VWUDWLQJDGLUHFWSK\VLFDOEHQH¿WRIYROXQWHHULQJ
service of others.” As members of the Air Force, we all live
very busy lives, from our normal duty schedules, to exercis- $OWKRXJKWKHSK\VLFDODQGSV\FKRORJLFDOEHQH¿WVDUHUHDO
es, weekend duties, shift work, and especially deployments. DQGJRRGIRUXVWKHUHZDUG,KDYHIRXQGPRVWEHQH¿FLDOLV
It is easy to fall into a mundane pattern of life. If volunteer affecting positive change in the lives of others. Most of my
work isn’t already part of your life, I would challenge you to
VWDUWRXWZLWK¿QGLQJMXVWDQKRXUDZHHNWR³ORVH\RXUVHOI What motivates you?
in the service of others.”
by Col. Kirsten Benford FLDWHGWKHPRUHOHYHOSOD\LQJ¿HOGDQGRSSRUWXQLWLHVIRU
If you look at the microcosm of “any base USA,” I would Vance AFB, Okla. growth and development.
argue that we easily make up the most diverse of skillsets
per acre anywhere in the county. Take that and match it up Motivation is an idea that is used to explain behavior. It I have thoroughly enjoyed each job and “bloomed where
against the needs of just about any community, and you is the reason for people’s actions, desires and needs. I was planted.”
VKRXOGHDVLO\¿QGDYROXQWHHURSSRUWXQLW\WKDWPDWFKHV\RXU
VSHFL¿FVNLOOVHWRULQWHUHVW9ROXQWHHULQJGRHVQ¶WKDYHWREHD What motivates you? Is it a pay raise, promotion, family It is hard to stay motivated when you don’t get assigned
big, formal program or event; it is oftentimes a simple act we or friends? WKHFDUHHU¿HOGRUEDVHWKDW\RXUHDOO\ZDQWHG7KDWEHLQJ
may take for granted that is received with the most thanks. said, it helps to keep a positive attitude and believe that
Tennis champion Arthur Ashe stated it best: “Volunteer! When I applied for an ROTC scholarship back in the things happen for a reason. We all can bring something to
early 1980s, my motivation was monetary. I needed money WKH¿JKWLIZHVWD\PRWLYDWHG³LQVSLWHRI´RXUWHPSRUDU\
for college. Many of us join the military for monetary rea- circumstances.
sons. Others join for travel, adventure and to see the world.
We need to remind ourselves of the choice we made to
2FFDVLRQDOO\ZHQHHGWRUHÀHFWDQGUHHYDOXDWHRXUPR- be part of the total force and get excited about the fact that
tives for being in the total force. What is curious to me is we can still serve.
the number of people who stay in the military beyond their
original commitment when they seem to have lost their Motivation, enthusiasm and a positive attitude are just as
initial motivation, enthusiasm and zeal. contagious as negativity. They help us push through trials,
unmet expectations, undesired jobs and other disappoint-
I entered the Air Force with a three-year commitment
back in 1992. I stayed in the Air Force because I appre- See MOTIVATE, Page 4
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
¿UVWDFWLRQWDNHQWRUHVROYHDQLVVXH7KRVHVHHNLQJ
DUHPHG\WRDSUREOHPVKRXOG¿UVWIROORZWKHFKDLQ
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
a courteous and professional tone, and must include a
name, an e-mail address or an alternative method of
contact. The requestor’s contact information will not be
published in compliance with Privacy Act restrictions.
Any messages received without contact information will
not be routed, so please be sure to provide some method
for communication.
