Commentary: Aim high or step aside

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Ralph Watson
  • 100th Maintenance Squadron commander
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  For many years, the Air Force's recruiting motto of "Aim High" was one of the most recognized phrases in the United States.

The average person associated that phrase with our high flying aircraft, satellites and missiles. I, on the other hand, associated it with personal and professional goal setting, and still ask myself, "Am I aiming high?".

Today, the motto has changed, we have adopted the three Air Force Core Values, added the post 9/11 Air Force Creed and changed our motto to "Off into the Blue", but the two words aim high still resonate a strong and enduring message.

As the Air Force continues to evolve, certain institutional values, such as our service being a meritocracy -- meaning, we reward and recognize based on superior performance -- will never change.

Successful goal setting, with measurable and achievable results is one of the critical links between the ability to aim high or being average. Even though we have the smartest and most capable Airmen in the history of the Air Force, being average will eventually force you to step aside for people who can attain those predetermined goals.

Perhaps the aim high mantra in terms of goal setting needs resurgence in today's Air Force as additional demands placed on each Airmen and our families require a constant evaluation of our level commitment, accountability, sacrifice and goal setting.

Each of those beliefs and virtues are inextricably linked to one another, and if you fail at one, you can potentially fall short of them all. If I apply these areas to the challenges we face daily with our primary duties, professional military education, fitness preparation, short and long-term financial objectives, religious and spiritual lives or even family life, our lives become target rich for goal setting opportunities.

Just having a mental or "unwritten" list to track our progress can often be overshadowed and neglected by other competing priorities.

The short and long-term goals we set represent our expectations, hopes and vision for our lives. As supervisors, when we mentor or counsel our Airmen, have we ever asked them to provide their goals in writing?

Whether in the academic, home or work setting, one can master the art of goal setting and achievement, but with each success, we are better prepared to set out on other goal setting endeavors.

My last point is that once we have achieved some of our goals, a good thermometer that tests our success of often how much our achievement positively influences the lives of those around us. Even more compelling is to have our goals impact communities of people who are not as privileged as we are.

The next time you set out on a goal setting adventure, I challenge everyone to realistically set goals, reassess them often and see if they do have a noticeable impact on the quality of life for others.