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Personal responsibility

  • Published
  • By Col. Tamra Rank
  • 375th Airlift Wing vice commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  You've heard the saying, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." The same truth can be applied to life. Success comes only to those who take advantage of the opportunities and resources given to them.

You are the key ingredient to your professional and personal success. You alone are responsible for the outcomes of your actions and decisions.

If you choose to exercise only when it's mandatory, you probably will find the physical fitness tests difficult to pass. If you choose television over studying, you may fail your next exam. If you spend more than you earn, you probably will find yourself in financial ruin.

Life is all about choices. To make the right ones, it takes initiative and time to seek out information and guidance.

There are few, if any, organizations like the U.S. military, and particularly the Air Force and Scott AFB, who consider the welfare of their people and their families critical to mission success. Child care, housing allowances, fitness facilities, chaplains, health care, education centers, legal aid, Airman & Family Readiness Center, school liaison officer, the list goes on and on - there are many benefits, services, and programs available to uniformed men, women, and their families.

Want to earn a degree but unsure how to start? Visit our AMC-awarding wining Education Center. Want to quit smoking? Call our Health and Wellness Center to learn about their tobacco cessation program. Want to create a financial plan that works for your family? Check out the seminars offered at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Find yourself out after having a few too many drinks? Call 256-HOME.

All of these resources are there for you...only you can decide to use them. It is your responsibility. To toss out another cliché, "the buck stops here." You hold the key...you are accountable.

This carries through to behavior, attitude and duty performance. Only you decide to drink if you're underage...only you decide to drive under the influence...only you decide to have a positive attitude...only you decide to put forth your complete effort at work...I think you get my point.

I could go on forever, but suffice it to say, the military appreciates what you do by providing countless programs, services, and benefits. It's up to you to manage your life and career. It's up to you to take personal responsibility.

So, get out there, learn about the resources available and use all of the support mechanisms in place. The time and energy you invest in doing so will pay huge dividends and will help you achieve success both at work and home.

Before I get off my soapbox, I want to encourage everyone to be a great wingman, to use their wingman, to take full advantage of every support activity JTF Scott offers; however, I also want each person to teach, develop and encourage personal responsibility. From parents to teachers to supervisors...we all must hold ourselves and others accountable.