It All Starts With Your Personal Vision

In my opinion, the most important thing you need to know before going into ROTC is WHY you are doing it. WHY do you want to be in the Air Force?

1. Understand your personal why--your personal vision.

• In my experience, success comes to those who are sure. Cadets who understand why they are in ROTC seem to do better than those who aren't quite sure. This seems logical, but it is often undervalued. In ROTC--and in all aspects of life--you will be asked to do many difficult things. Not only that, but it is a highly competitive environment. Your personal vision will become the source of your drive; it will become the source of your desire and will power to push through the difficult tasks. It all starts with your personal vision. 
• As you begin ROTC, start by sitting down and writing out your vision. Here is one version of my personal vision:

To explain what inspired me to make the choice to become a leader in the USAF, I will describe what I refer to as my “personal vision.” This is synonymous with my “personal why,” because it answers questions such as: “Why do I want to be an officer in the Air Force?” and “Why do I choose to do hard things?” This vision has changed and developed as I have gone through the AFROTC program. It has become sacred to me, as it is the source of my desire, determination, and will power to succeed.        

First, my vision involves flying. I often picture in my mind’s eye, in vivid detail, the following: putting on the flight and G-suit, walking out to the flight line,  climbing up the ladder into a powerful jet, pulling on my helmet, taxiing that jet out to the runway, lining up on the center line, pushing the throttle forward as I’m forced into my seat, reaching that critical rotation speed, pulling back on the stick, and then… the world disappears in a blur behind me as I climb high through the clouds, suddenly breaking through to a brilliant blue sky. I have imagined that exhilarating experience for as long as I can remember. This inspires me to become a USAF leader.            

Flying is only the top layer of my vision, however. Next, my “why” is encapsulated with self-improvement, leadership, and heritage. Without a doubt in my mind, I understood that by choosing to become a leader in the USAF, I would become the very best version of myself that I could possibly become. This is a challenging career path and I wouldn’t want it any other way. With eight younger siblings, I understood the importance of leadership at an early age. This path allows me to hone my leadership skills. My circle of influence will be much greater in the USAF than it would otherwise have been. The Air Force has a very large impact on the world. This means that I will be able to help more people than perhaps in any other career. And finally, when I consider the men and women who gave their lives for my freedom, I am always humbled that I get to wear the same uniform. It is a sacred privilege and duty to continue our proud heritage. This inspires me to become a leader in the USAF.          

Lastly, my vision includes my family and my religion. Knowing that there are people on this earth who would destroy my family and my freedom motivates me beyond anything else to not only become a leader in the USAF, but to be my very best. This job will allow me to protect my family and our liberty. It allows me to influence the world for good. And truly, that is what it is all about for me: when I am finished with my career, I want this world to be a better place for my family and for our great nation.

Figure out why you want to be in ROTC. And then, commit. Don't look back. This is your future, and your dream, so work hard for it. When you get up in the morning, look in the mirror and remember your vision. Then go, and work to realize that vision.