I am an American Airman

  • Published
  • By Col. GLENN TERRY
  • 56th Dental Squadron commander
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  What do the words, "I am an American Airman," mean to you? 

As members of the Air Force in a nation at war we all are warriors. As the demands on the Air Force increase, we are increasingly called upon each and every day. The question that must be answered is will you answer your nation's call? Have you made the choice to be faithful to a proud heritage of great Airmen like Sgt. John Levitow and Gen. Curtis LeMay? 

On occasion, we encounter those Airmen among us who choose not to live up to the high standards the Air Force demands. I do not speak of those who do their best and still fall short of what the Air Force asks of them. The individuals I refer to are those who fail to take the Air Force oaths and values seriously. I speak of those who are not responsible in their drinking. Those who choose to take illegal drugs into their body, or choose to use legal drugs in an illegal way. These individuals, along with those who steal, abuse their spouses, children or co-workers, have chosen not to uphold a tradition of honor and legacy of valor. 

As Airmen we have a mission to fly, fight, and win. Ours is a profession of arms in which we stand on the shoulders of giants. As guardians of freedom and justice, we are sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. As this nation's sword and shield, its sentry and avenger, we are sworn to defend this country with our lives. We have all chosen to be different, in some ways better than those we serve, those whose freedom we protect. 

So, if you are ever tempted to use illegal drugs or to cheat, steal or lie, you must have the courage to be better than that. Be proud of the difference that you make as an Airman who upholds the Air Force values. 

I would encourage you to decide today, so that when someone offers you drugs, or your personal core values are tested in some other way, you will have already decided what to do. As wingmen, we will never leave an Airman behind, but in the same light we cannot support those who fail to keep the Air Force standards. If we condone those who engage in inappropriate relationships, those who abuse or steal, if we say it's OK to cheat or lie, then we are letting our nation down. 

On the other hand, the vast majority of Airmen have chosen to uphold Air Force values and are the very reason that we, as an Air Force, will not falter or fail. We will not fail to answer our nation's call. We will not fail to make a difference in the world. 

We all have a choice to make each and every day; do you have the courage to make the right choice? Will you choose to be a great American Airman like those great ones who have gone before you?