Harencak to graduates: ‘It’s just the end of the beginning’

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Gross
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Air Force Recruiting Service commander, congratulated and addressed the Air Force’s and partner nations’ newest aviators during the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 17-15’s graduation ceremony, Sept. 29 at the Kaye Auditorium here.

The Air Force’s and partner nations’ 24 newest aviators spent 52 weeks learning and honing their piloting skills, and now go to their first duty assignment where they’ve been assigned an aircraft to master.

Harencak recalled the day he graduated pilot training more than 30 years ago, and said he can still remember the emotions he experienced that day.

“Ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to be a pilot in the United States Air Force and I thought ‘wow I’m done … I made it, it’s over,’” he said.

Harencak said he couldn’t have been further from the truth. Quoting Winston Churchill after the Battle of Egypt, Harencak told the graduates, “It’s not the end, it’s just the end of the beginning.”

He said as an Air Force pilot, they have chosen a life “where there is no finish line.” After they master one task they’ll be expected to master another, and after being qualified on one weapons system, they’ll then be expected to start on another.

“Every time you get comfortable, we’re going to make sure you don’t stay comfortable,” he said.

Harencak said the pilots have chosen a life “of adventure and challenge, a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment and purpose without boundary.” There were so many other lives they could have chosen but they chose the life of an Air Force pilot and there is no other that is more rewarding, he said.

“The greatest weapons system we have does not come with a tail number. The greatest system does not come with a serial number stamped on it. The greatest weapon system we have comes with a social security number,” he said, emphasizing just how important Airmen really are.

As the pilots get ready to embark on their first assignment, Harencak said he advises them to learn their craft and trade, but enjoy and appreciate every single day they get to be an Air Force pilot because it will never get better.

“Every single day, I know what a gift it has been to serve,” he said.

He said the mission and people are what have influenced him to serve nearly 35 years, and when his time comes to step away, he said he knows there will be no other organization he’ll serve or work in that will have the same high-caliber men and women.

In order to continue to recruit the number of high-caliber Airmen the Air Force needs, Harencak said it’s crucial that Airmen -- past and present -- let the youth of today know of the opportunities the Air Force affords its members. He said there’s no doubt the Air Force makes its Airmen better people than they were before they served, and it’s important that Airmen and veterans voice that message to the young people of today.

He said they should also know the sense of family they’ll experience if they join and said it’s very evident at Columbus Air Force Base.

“The level of outstanding leadership at all levels is apparent in everything that happens here,” he said. “Morale is high, people are motivated, people are focused and this Air Force family here at Columbus is doing a tremendous job for our Air Force and our nation.”