This is part of a series shared ecumenically with members to whom I was assigned; the goal was to start conversation and deep thought, and many of these messages led to great conversations.
Opportunity is Earned
Original Publication Date: 28 July 2025
Air Force Recruiting recently posted a somewhat humorous advertisement using 2nd Lt Braeden Holcombe, an Olympian specializing in jumping hurdles. The caption is, “There is no limit to who you can become as an Airman.” While Lt Holcombe’s achievement is absolutely amazing, I had to chuckle at the caption because having just come off of foot surgery, there is a definite limit: I will never again be able clear a single hurdle, let alone compete in the hurdles or steeplechase.
But, the quote did inspire me, because while I can’t vouch for “no limit”, I can say that there are amazing opportunities presented to each of us in the Air Force. Here’s the downside, we have to reach out and lay hold of them, they don’t just fall in our laps. Nobody made Lt Holcombe seize his opportunity, but he earned the opportunity given.
A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work. Opportunity is earned, not given. ~ Colin Powell
The problem with opportunity is the old adage, “it only knocks once,” and many times we don’t answer. The main thing I’d like you to get from this message is when opportunity knocks is to at least ask, “Whose there? What do you want with me?” if you don’t fling open the door.
Sorry (not sorry) for the length of this newsletter, I got fired up writing it and couldn’t bear to cut anything.
Education
When I used to host an FTEC breakfast, I would ask our newest Airmen for the reasons they joined, I found it was easier to get a show of hands for the big reasons: “To see the world?” “To get out of a bad situation?” “To serve your country?” "Family tradition?" “To get an education?” Education always had 75%+ hands raised, and education is a great recruiting tool. But I meet Airmen everyday who joined to go to school, but have failed to seize that opportunity, some have even retired. If you joined to go to school, but your priorities changed, that’s one thing, but if you just haven’t stepped out to pursue education, to work on a certification, license, or degree, fortunately that opportunity is most likely still open to you. You've earned that opportunity, TAKE IT!
Like many, I joined to go to school, and the Air Force has spent a ridiculous amount of money and time to send me to school, much of it while working 10- or 12-hour shifts on mids on the flightline. I thought the door was finally closed to further educational opportunities, but I was just offered and received a grant for a Masters in Leadership, and am now enrolled in 1 class a term. If this old worn out chaplain can do it, you have no excuse; if you think you have an excuse, I want to hear it.
Encouragement
One of the 5 Love Languages is “Words of Encouragement”, I’ll be honest, it used to be my least favorite, until I had a boss who was an expert at it. I almost came to expect that after an especially difficult midnight emergency call or a big event that within a couple hours I’d get an encouraging text. When he PCS’d I realized how much those messages meant to me. They were timely.
Encouraging people can be hard if you’ve never done it, but I’m confident you can learn. Be specific, “When you did specific thing, I appreciated your specific attributes.” It’s as easy as that. Here’s a real example I used from last week, “When you figured out that money snafu that would have wrecked this chapel event, I appreciate how you never give up and recognize how important these events are to Airmen.” A little encouragement can go a long way to building up people.
Apology
Apologies should be timely as well, the opportunity for reconciliation can fade quickly, so if there is someone you need to apologize to, do it soon. The power of an apology to heal relationships, clear the air, and bring peace cannot be overstated.
Correction
I’ve always loved the “on-the-spot correction” model, that if you see something, say something immediately. I was out on a training-op in the middle of the night with the Army before I became a chaplain, and unbeknownst to many of us, the lead Humvee missed a turn; a few miles later we came to an unexpected fork in the road, then we spent an hour an a half parked (as targets if it was real-world) trying to fix our navigation. Maybe the lead Humvee learned something from the observer letting them miss that turn, but I know the rest of the convoy learned nothing but frustration.
We also have the opportunity to accept correction. People who ignore correction only heap up paperwork and consternation from their leadership, and don’t grow. The next time you’re corrected, accept it as a opportunity to do better, not to get mad at the one correcting you.
Every challenge is an opportunity to lead, grow, and make a difference. ~ JoAnne Bass
Mentorship
You can try to mentor people at your last base, but it’s much easier to mentor people right in front of you. Often that door closes, yesterday was the 15-year remembrance of a good friend taking his life, I'd give anything to be able to reach back and say more to him.
Similarly, you can reach back for mentorship, but the leaders in front of you are timely, focused, and available. PCS’s and time will steal your opportunity to be an effective mentor or be mentored. When the opportunity presents itself, grab on and run with it! I’m looking forward to taking an aspiring chaplain candidate to lunch next week to see if I can help to get him to be one of our newest chaplains. He’s driving in from Amarillo, and I’m glad he’s taking that opportunity.
In mentoring, you're giving others opportunities to succeed. I can trace much of my Air Force (and life) success to one man, MSgt Brian Payne, who gave me an opportunity to deploy as a 3-level when I'd only been on base for all of 5 days (when he signed me up). I hope there are Airmen who would put my name in that “success” category, and I hope you’re living your life so there are many who would put your name in that category.
All of Life
Other opportunities exist in volunteering, special duties, tiger teams, one-off jobs, etc. One of my favorite lessons I taught FTEC Airmen was “Volunteer for Everything.” I need to dust that training off and get it to you.
It also applies to your personal life, I drove 2 hours one way to take my-now-wife on our first date, having no idea if it would work out. Our local schools, nursing homes, zoos, parks, hospices, etc. would love to have your help if you so desire opportunities to invest in the community. If you can't say, "Yes, absolutely!" to opportunity, at least consider "Yes, if." (That's probably the next Soul Mx topic).
I spoke to a young family who is doing awesome work in the Eastern New Mexico community fostering babies; I’m glad they’ve seized that opportunity while they're stationed in Eastern New Mexico.
Conclusion
Opportunities abound, the best time to take them is when they first knock; if you missed that opportunity, the second best time is right now. There is risk involved, but nothing ventured, nothing gained; get out there are take some risks to pursue opportunity, and let me know if and how it was worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment