Selflessness is core Airman trait Published Sept. 30, 2008 By Jodie Wankowski Special to Times VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The troops were lined up and awaiting instruction. They stood still, listening intently, contemplating and understanding every guideline. The plan was laid out and expectations were expressed. Each man and woman in uniform prepared for the mission that lay ahead. Some seemed uneasy while others were determined to rise up to the demands placed on them. Looking at those around them, the ones in uniform knew success of this important task would lie in communication, teamwork and dedication. The above sounds like a common scenario playing out in a briefing room during daily roll call or guardmount on any base anywhere in the Air Force. It was not. The armed forces members gathered for an important endeavor that crossed all AFSCs and levels of rank. Not confined to one area of expertise or one squadron, the mission affected all employed with serving the national defense. It was to be a vital mission and its headquarters was at Crestview Elementary School on Vandenberg. On Sept. 24 the base school held its "Back-to-School Night." The night's sole aim was to acquaint and involve parents with school procedures. Citing a play from a military training guide, knowing what to expect helps preparation for any vital movement. In this case, the movement is children's promotions to higher grades. Victory in this cause will ensure educational success for the upcoming generation being raised by today's defenders. The Crestview back-to-school night had unfortunately coincided with the base Operational Readiness Inspection. Lost days off and prolonged duty shifts were common since the inspection's start Sept. 14. Military moms and dads had many plausible reasons to bow out of any school activity. Expected were the childrens' civilian parents attending the school meeting, single-handedly supporting their huge educational expectation load. Unexpected was the event's heavy attendance by both spouse and sponsor - in others words, both mom and dad. Sitting in child-sized desks, alongside an excited son or daughter, were very weary but surprisingly attentive Airmen. Even after many trying hours and long days, they stood ready to take on another task. They packed crowded classrooms to serve the best interests of their children. After exploring the depths of parental love, what drove these military members to heavily attend an after-hours school function? Most attending the base school are military-affiliated. There would be understanding if dependent mom or dad only attended and the active duty parent was home resting on the couch. Perhaps the selfless parental dedication found at Crestview is part of the reason most of the school's military parents were compelled to enlist. Airmen share a common trait not as strongly seen in the civilian population - a sense of service to others before self. To choose to serve, a pledge had to be made. Backs may ache from hard labor, work hours will drag on and conditions might become less than ideal, but through it all the enlistees honor the pledges they made. The price could be high and personal comfort may fall by the wayside, but those serving have an inborn ruggedness equipping them to put the greater good before themselves. It is this trait that inspires awe in everyday Americans. Last year the American Legion publication ran a Father's Day feature starring some of the nation's finest military dads. One, an Army sergeant from New York, had a biography brimming with accomplishments. The article chronicled his career campaigns and reviewed his numerous medals. It was a long and extraordinary career full of accomplishments. The brightest achievement of his tenure in service was found in the story's last sentences and not recognized with a ribbon on a rack. His daughter was quoted as saying "He is dedicated to his troops. The young men he serves within Iraq became like family. Dad takes care of them as if they were his own." Reading the daughter's words, we see the extraordinary sense of sacrifice troops must possess. The man praised in the article had a family to care for and a motivation to keep himself out of harm's way. Choosing to serve the national defense, he accepted a challenge at a possibly high personal cost. Caring for loved ones at home, supporting young soldiers under his command overseas and defending a nation must have been very demanding. Selflessly, he performed his duties well. The picture accompanying the feature was of a happy family standing near smiling troops with a tired looking Army sergeant somewhere in the middle. Looking at bags beneath the NCO's eyes, it was evident those around him were put first. Truly, that makes him a hero. The armed forces parents at the base elementary school are heroes, too. Despite long hours, ORIs, deployments and the seriousness of protecting the country, dedication doesn't end when the flight cap comes off. The same zeal for duty was displayed in the attending troops' support of their children's academic careers. It is like the riddle of what came first, the chicken or the egg. Are armed forces parents dedicated because the military taught them selflessness-or was the trait already in their character? Our country is very fortunate. We have a dedicated all-volunteer military. Those who enlist do so because they understand the concept of service before self. This attitude benefits not only large masses of American people, but a smaller group attending Crestview Elementary. Crestview Elementary School's Back-to-School Night was a huge success. It could not have been possible without the many troops supporting its mission. To military members and armed forces moms and dads, thank you for your dedication. You have ensured great success to those you have chosen to protect.