Transformation
Preconceived Notions
In high school in the early 70's I worked the night shift at a submarine sandwich shop 3 blocks from the Navy base. The cross section of Navy clientele that came in late at night were perhaps not exemplary examples, and they left me with the distinct impression that the Navy was a place of last resort if you had nowhere else to go and no other career options. It was also a place to sign up if you were about to get drafted into the Army. I fear that I've carried a certain preconception about the Military since that time.
The Next Generation
Fast forward a generation and now I have a son in college on
the same engineering career path that I chose, the same as my father chose, and
his before him. My son Maxwell is
intuitive, creative, and "wicked-smart" in critical thinking, spatial
awareness, math, and science. It comes easily to him, perhaps too easy because
he became accustomed to not having to work very hard at it. Through the years we as parents had ample opportunities to marvel at his talents and his natural abilities. He was building precision cabinetry that garnered awards at the state fair. He volunteered at the local TV station and they made him their cameraman. He gave him time to charitable events without complaint. His nature was to be kind, even if he sometimes needed to be reminded of this. He offered help when required. He was a good leader when called to action.
At his job, he solved all the hard problems increased efficiency and managed the others even if it was not his job to do so which received no recognition or appreciation because of the politics that he chose to avoid. Max graduated from one of the top academic high schools in the state and landed a spot at Cal State Chico in their school of engineering.
At his job, he solved all the hard problems increased efficiency and managed the others even if it was not his job to do so which received no recognition or appreciation because of the politics that he chose to avoid. Max graduated from one of the top academic high schools in the state and landed a spot at Cal State Chico in their school of engineering.
The rigors of an engineering program were easy for him but these are difficult times for state colleges in California. Soon college seemed to be going sideways. Courses were difficult to get, the curriculum was hard to pull together, and the program seemed to be waylaid by a university that was short on instructors and slim on course offerings. Four year degrees were starting to look like 7 years or more. Even upon graduation Mechanical Engineering jobs were in short supply as the economic downturn persisted. Uncertainty and wariness were creeping in where confidence that once ruled the roost.
Taking a Second Look
I was prepped by his mother first so it wasn't too shocking
when Max approached me for a serious conversation 15 months ago. "Dad, I have decided to join the
Military, what do you think? I need
direction, and purpose. I'm ready for
some discipline and I think I could benefit from some structure. Plus, I can get my college degree on the job
if I commit to a 6 year active duty program, and two more years of reserve
duty."
This was foreign to me.
We're not a Military family. We value independent thought, academic
pursuit, and the accountability that comes from making your own choices instead
of being told what to think and do. I
quelled a lifelong prejudice against the Military. I set aside those thoughts of unruly and
uneducated sailors from my youth, and gave my blessing if this was his
carefully considered path.
Preparing for a New Direction
His 98% ASFAB score was noticed by the Air Force and they
offered him the best job options. He
would be given credit for 3 years of college and enter two ranks up as Airman
First Class. He also would be given the chance to complete his degree while on
the job. His scores qualified for every
single enlistment job. If it was available then it was his for the taking. He lit up with the prospects. But first he would need to get in better
shape and drop 40 pounds before his MEPS medical exam. He had 6 short weeks to do that. The transformation had begun.
Max used his hard earned pay to enlist the services of a
professional fitness trainer and went into a physical training program 5 days a
week. He adopted a strict diet and lost
45 pounds in 6 weeks, adding muscle and stamina at the same time. While waiting to be called up he spent 12
months continuing to train during which he got into the best physical shape of
his life, impressing his Air Force recruit trainer so much that he eventually
led the physical training for the flight of recruits.
Suddenly an Empty Nest
He got the Air Force job offer in December. Although not his
first choice, the offer of Aerospace Propulsion Specialist was a good one. Too
soon he packed everything he would be allowed to take with him in a single
backpack and we drove him to the hotel for his new adventure to begin.
Conspicuously left behind was his computer. Our house was suddenly very quiet
and certain energy was removed. The cord
was really cut this time. There would be no calling him on the phone. No texting, or easy access. He would not be asking for anything. There might be a 3 minute phone call on one
of the weekends but no guarantees.
Perhaps a letter, but that would only be if he was given the time. It seems the Air Force had found a way,
seemingly draconian but completely necessary, to separate parent from child as
they took on the role of molding a new person using their time tested methods.
Culture Shock and a Pleasant Surprise
Eight and a half weeks later we were on a plane to Lackland
Air Force base in Texas to see our "airman" son graduate from Basic
Military Training (BMT). We had no idea
what he might look like but from the rare phone calls we got he sounded
different. A lower voice spoke with
confidence and purpose. He was serious but sharp and distinct in his phone
mannerisms. Who knew what he might look
like in person?
At the risk of sounding like an old man, I think it's
accurate to say that our society has developed a certain acceptance of younger
people in this generation. They are ones
constantly talking or texting on their phones. They are plugged up with ear
buds to help tune out their immediate environs. They look down as you pass or
peer into the ubiquitous screen in their hand.
Many are overweight, constantly eating a processed food or drinking a
soda or energy drink. Sure this is a
stereotype, but isn't it also all too common?
Isn't it sometimes an expectation or at the very least an acquiescence?
From the moment I stepped onto the base I was taken aback at
the level of professionalism and precision that seemed to be embodied by the
young people who were stationed or training there. It was a like a scene out of 1952
Pleasantville.
Suddenly there was a restoration of the politeness and values that seem to have degraded over the last 40 years in popular culture. Everyone was gracious and courteous. Young men were not talking on a cell phone or listening to music. They were not eating or drinking while walking. None of them were permitted to smoke or consume alcohol, coffee, soda, or sugar. They had no access to the internet or other diversions.
Suddenly there was a restoration of the politeness and values that seem to have degraded over the last 40 years in popular culture. Everyone was gracious and courteous. Young men were not talking on a cell phone or listening to music. They were not eating or drinking while walking. None of them were permitted to smoke or consume alcohol, coffee, soda, or sugar. They had no access to the internet or other diversions.
They stood tall and erect with excellent posture
and walked with poise and purpose wherever they went. Passing you on the sidewalk, they would look
you straight in the eye and say "Good Afternoon Sir". They maintained "situational awareness"
which meant they were looking for any opportunity to attend to what needed to
be done, how to assist another.
They walked on sidewalks and in crosswalks and never on the grass or over the curb. If they entered a building their hats came off at the threshold and back on as the exited the building.
Yet unlike the days of old, there was complete acceptance and a certain color blindness of race, creed, gender, language, or age.
Off base, these same men and women know that they represent the US Air Force, its values and its image. These young graduates are not permitted to drink alcohol or visit bars (yet). The same rules that apply on base also are observed off the base. They show and practice the values of honor, respectfulness, politeness and an awareness that requires them to care more about others than themselves.
They walked on sidewalks and in crosswalks and never on the grass or over the curb. If they entered a building their hats came off at the threshold and back on as the exited the building.
Yet unlike the days of old, there was complete acceptance and a certain color blindness of race, creed, gender, language, or age.
Off base, these same men and women know that they represent the US Air Force, its values and its image. These young graduates are not permitted to drink alcohol or visit bars (yet). The same rules that apply on base also are observed off the base. They show and practice the values of honor, respectfulness, politeness and an awareness that requires them to care more about others than themselves.
At one point I panned my video camera around on the
base, capturing well-postured airmen marching in formation from place to place,
even when they were not required to do so.
Here there were hundreds of sharp energetic young men and women. Not a single one was out of shape or
non-deliberate about their every movement. Then my lens found some of “us
civilians”, standing around with slumped shoulders, crossed legs, or leaning
against a tree. What a sharp and
embarrassing contrast we were!
Witnessing this gave
me a renewal in confidence in the youth of America. As soon as you think our values are eroded
and our young are fat and lazy and unmotivated you should get to a training
base in the Air Force (and probably the other services as well). You will see what 8 weeks of intensive
training can do for these young people.
Granted, this is a snapshot in time and once BMT is complete the rules will be gradually relaxed and some of these people will fall back into old habits. Regardless, all of them will be changed in some fundamental way because they have accomplished more than they ever thought possible and become something that they never imagined.
Granted, this is a snapshot in time and once BMT is complete the rules will be gradually relaxed and some of these people will fall back into old habits. Regardless, all of them will be changed in some fundamental way because they have accomplished more than they ever thought possible and become something that they never imagined.
I had always thought the Military was about war and
defense. But it’s also about honor, a
sense of duty and responsibility, respectfulness, discipline, and caring for
something larger than you. Nowhere is
this taught more fervently or learned more completely than in BMT.
Graduation
Graduation is awe inspiring to watch, because it is a demonstration
of teamwork, precision, and discipline and the long-awaited reward of recognition
for both the airmen and their families. It’s an emotional time to see your son
or daughter after 8 weeks transformed into someone who you never thought they
might be. Each of the events from the
airman’s run (in formation), to the coin and honor graduates’ ceremony, to the
presentation of the class on the parade grounds is filled with respect, duty,
and a greater sense of purpose. The eyes
of family members tear up with pride.
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