12th FTW Commander reminds 18-01 why we are team players

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keith Holcomb
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Col. Joel Carey, 12th Flying Training Wing Commander at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, spoke at the graduation of Specialized Undergraduate Class 18-01 Oct. 27 at the Kaye Auditorium here.

Carey started by relating this graduation back to his own graduation, in class 94-11, and how he had similar stand-ups, sorties, and late nights of hard work.

He recalled being proud of his accomplishment at his own graduation, and told the students the pride he has in them.

“Everyone one of you have your own individual stories. Everyone has your own challenges you overcome, just to get your own slot into pilot training,” Carey said. “You all had your own highs and your own lows, but you persevered and the hard work has paid off and you should be justifiably proud.”

He then talked about the uniforms they wear. He said they should have a sense of pride of not only being a pilot, but they should also be proud of being an Airman in their uniforms unique to the U.S. Air Force.

“Be proud, but don’t be too proud,” Carey said. “Humility is always going to help build this team that we hold dear and is important to what we do.”

Competence was another key component Carey highlighted to the new pilots, letting them know that they will continue to learn at the same speed as pilot training, and in some cases faster.

He said every aircraft and aircrew has helped him and many others in missions all around the globe. Many of those stories played key roles in accomplishing missions for the Air Force, whether it be receiving gas in-flight, reconnaissance, or Japanese pilots who helped him rescue a fellow U.S. Air Force pilot.

“Not one of us is able to do our jobs without the help of your team,” Carey said.

Following the team effort, Carey talked about the importance of balancing work and family. Carey said the importance of family cannot be matched. The building of the Air Force family and more importantly their families at home will help them work harder.

“You give your best at work, but you have to save some of your A-game when you walk back through that door when you get home at night,” Carey said. “It is a critical part, it is a requirement of you doing your job. When you move onto that next phase of life … we want you to be stronger.”

To finish his speech, he shared his story of being woken up with a phone call on a Saturday morning; he was told he must immediately be ready to support a mission he wasn’t expecting.

“Be ready, take this work ethic you’ve been honing and exercising over the past year, the professionalism, and have fun while you’re doing it,” Carey said. “Choose to have fun, choose to enjoy wherever you are and whatever mission you’re involved in because it really is nine-tenths attitude on those days. Aim high and Godspeed, thank you for your time Class 18-01.”