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From my earliest days I was struck by how much responsibility I was given as a maintainer on the flightline. Getting the call on a \u201cred ball\u201d to fix the communications system on a T-38 with the engines running, while a lieutenant just a few years older than me watched from the pilot\u2019s seat, was an exhilarating feeling I will always cherish. The Air Force consistently presented me with meaningful jobs, educational opportunities, and leadership challenges. To ensure my success, the Air Force provided the training and experiences necessary to develop and succeed at each level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Air Force provides membership in a special community of individuals who share three core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. At its foundation, military service offers a sense of belonging and the support of a work family. Indeed, I love the people I serve alongside and marvel at my good fortune to be on this high-performing team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, our installations provide a set of personal support services \u2014 housing, gyms, grocery stores, bowling alleys, event centers and recreation \u2014 that enhances quality of life and fosters work-life balance. It provides 30 days of paid vacation each year and 12 weeks of paid parental leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dede and I raised our four children in this environment, and each of them, now adults, look back with fond memories of their \u201cAir Force life.\u201d We benefitted from tuition assistance, a pension system and complete healthcare coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The opportunities offered to those who willingly, voluntarily join the Air Force are unmatched. We aim every day to inspire, engage and recruit the most talented and qualified people. Our diversity grows as we continue to remove barriers to service. There will always be more work to do to ensure we keep pace with a changing nation. But through this change a constant remains \u2014 we must understand and preserve what we value as a nation and stand at the ready to protect it. Joining this world-class team offers this chance and so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s hard to believe 40 years have passed since I first donned the uniform and Dede and I married. Many of those years have not been easy, but each has been rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I thought would be a quick four-year enlistment and start to my adult life grew into the tap root of my character, a fulfilling life-long commitment to my nation, and a source of pride for my spouse and children. Indeed, every morning I place my feet on the ground thankful for the opportunities, community and sense of purpose the Air Force gifted me and my family and the inspiration I get from all those with whom I serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gen. Duke Z. Richardson<\/b> is commander of Air Force Materiel Command, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He is responsible for installation and mission support, discovery and development, test and evaluation, life cycle management services, and sustainment of virtually every major Air Force weapon system. Richardson enlisted in the Air Force in 1983 as an avionics technician, and later received his commission in 1989 via Officer Training School.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fewer Americans are willing to serve. Presenting honest examples of what a life in the Air Force offers \u2014 why it\u2019s rewarding and attractive \u2014 would help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":72631,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":97,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[97,17],"tags":[],"coauthors":[4117],"class_list":["post-65334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary","category-opinion"],"acf":{"subheadline":"More Americans need to understand why an Air Force career is so rewarding","legacy_arc_id":"V3E3U5FSA5CODM65NBVXTAEQL4","arc_canonical_url":"\/opinion\/2023\/09\/13\/why-i-serve\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"\n