Pilot, physician treats graduating class

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles Dickens
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Byron Hepburn, Commander, 59th Medical Wing, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base Can Antonio-Lackland, spoke during the graduation of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 13-07 April 5 at the Kaye Auditorium here.

During his speech, Hepburn talked on improving leadership, ensuring safety and his personal career choices.

"Earn the right to wear those wings every day," said Hepburn. "You have to continue to earn them by how you carry yourself and how you conduct yourself, and don't ever forget that you're officers in your respective countries; there are people that are looking up to you all of the time."

Hepburn continued by saying to live the core values of "Integrity First", "Service Before Self" and "Excellence In All We Do" every day.

"Live the Airman's Creed every day as well and never falter, never fail, never be defeated and be champions every day," said Hepburn. "You have to be vigilant and ready."

The general stressed that while ensuring you get the mission done as quickly and efficiently as possible, safety is the most important thing to focus on during everyday life.

"I don't care if you're a medic, a maintainer or an aviator, you have to have safety as your number one priority, and that's not a trivial thing," said Hepburn. "When you're in a hurry you need to slow down, be focused and be disciplined. Never lose sight of that."

Hepburn also gave career advice to those interested in furthering their career to the best of their ability.

"You have to have your core competencies rock solid," said Hepburn. "No matter what your discipline is, excel in the job you're in first and foremost. Commit to lifelong learning and being comfortable with innovation and change. Certainly live the core values and be a team player."

Following that, Hepburn gave insight into his decision to pursue a medical career after being a successful Air Force pilot.

"Even in my childhood I had two dreams," said Hepburn. "One dream was to be a pilot and the other was to be a physician. I knew the order that I probably had to do them in was aviation first and then go into medicine."

Hepburn said that aviation and medicine careers are complementary in regard to the skill sets that are needed to be successful in the respective jobs.

"In both aviation and in medicine you have to be very disciplined, you have to have attention to detail, you have to have a focus on safety and you really need to understand the systems, whether human or aircraft, and the mission to be successful," said Hepburn. "There are a lot of parallels between medicine and aviation and usually pilots do very well as physicians."

Hepburn closed with saying that life is too short to not enjoy what paths are taken and to make the best of the situation at hand.

"If you work hard, play hard and really keep a good balance in life, aviation is going to be an incredible opportunity," said Hepburn. "Keep looking forward in a positive and professional manner; attitude is everything."