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Hit the track for yourself, fellow Airmen

  • Published
  • By Command Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke
  • Air Force Recruiting Service
Team, the alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. I thought of an at-risk recruiter, a senior leader, and ... I got up and ran.

Some love to work out and run. I do it to live a longer life and to uphold my expectations of Airmen. But, what gets me up and out each day?

I met a recruiter, an Airman, a couple weeks ago who is struggling with his physical training test and if he doesn't pass by the end of October, he may become a civilian. He has the desire, and I have to ensure I do my part to inspire.

During the past three weeks I have run about 22.5 miles thinking of my obligation to this Airman, this recruiter. I have called him, encouraged him, and challenged him. The challenge went like this; "I ran 15 miles this past eight days thinking of you -- what have you done for you?"

Without filling my own obligations of working out I cannot challenge others to do the same. You have the same obligation as an Airman and must fulfill it also. It is how we maintain our ability to sustain combat capability.

Who was the senior leader I thought of? Well, it was a fellow chief master sergeant who heard me talk about my obligation to the at-risk recruiter. He said he was inspired, and got out of bed, thought of that recruiter and me, and went out and ran.

You can make a difference! Go run a few miles today and see how.