This one is about priorities.
The military’s focus on personnel issues is admirable, but will everyone be on board?
I don’t often comment on military matters. I’m not sure on the line existing between my personal opinions and what some might consider the opinions of my organization. I supposed I treat way to start is by saying— these thoughts are mine alone and do not resemble in any way the opinions, or position of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the Federal Government in any capacity.
The ability to keep priorities is a contributing factor to success in any industry. If you want to get into the fashion industry, stay consistency, keep your priorities at the forefront of what you do and in due time you’ll get there. Same goes for the tech industry, construction, etc. If you do anything long enough, you’ll be successful.
The problem is the whole “long enough” part. How much time do we have?
Here’s what that looks like in weeks, according to this article.
“Remember you must die” – Memento Mori is the firs thing that comes to mind when I see this. you can do the math and calculate how many small squares you’ve used up and how many are left.
Let’s give that a moment to sink in.
ok, let’s keep going. Once we start to realize how much time we have left and how much time we have already used up, then it puts some other things into perspective. For me this topic of beards being accepted in the military, have reached laughable proportions.
The current state of the world is:
A technological war has been going on between major worlds powers (China, Russia, USA, UK, Iran, etc) for at least a decade.
A modern invasion of an independent state (Ukraine) by a major power (Russia) leading to worldwide effects and tens of thousands of deaths.
The excessive advancement of North Koreas Missile capabilities as they venture into Japanese waters, threatening the people of Japan and the American Troops stationed there.
Social and political turmoil as our own country struggle with bridging the gap, instead burning bridges and creating gaps.
Gun violence on the rise contributing, in some cases, to more deaths than we saw at the twin towers the day they fell to the ground along with 2977 people that never saw their families again.
A drug and mental health epidemic that is ravaging through some of our most vulnerable citizens (all citizens) while simultaneously creating an environment that doesd’t normalize seeking help.
Canda is leading the charge in Medical Assisted Suicides and Physician-assisted suicide, or "medical aid in dying" is legal in eleven U.S. jurisdictions: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
87,000 people died from preventable poisoning including, alcohol, drugs abuse, chemicals, organic solvents, etc.
We have a a 1 in 107 chance of dining in a car accident.
This is only a slight example of the issues that we should be focusing energy on. Instead, my counterparts in the Military routinely use the window to speak with senior leadership and ask for things like…when can I grow a beard.
In truth, I would love to be able to grow a beard. I also know that a beard does not create a good seal on an M50 mask that takes care of me when a chemical attack commences, although ive heard this has been “debunked.” And there’s always the idea that if we are to be brothers and sisters in arms we are representing ourselves, our families, our country and each other every time we put on the uniform. These decisions are the ones that make us part of the Air Force Family (insert your branch of service here).
So, priorites.
Let’s prioritize the day to day execution of our mission, staying on track with an open perspective and being more thoughtful/selective of the time we spend advocating or supporting certain issues.
But, having a beard would look super cool.