Anxious to matter Published April 20, 2010 By Chief Master Sgt. Robert Sealey 21st Space Wing command chief PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The movie "Pearl Harbor" tells the story of two friends, Rafe and Danny, who survive the attack on Pearl Harbor and enter World War II as fighter pilots. In training before the war, Rafe McCawley is one of America's top fighter pilots. When America initially holds back from entering the war, Rafe volunteers to help the British in their fight against the Germans. When Rafe first arrives at the English airfield, he walks by British airmen and Spitfire fighters, shot up from the previous day's battle and is greeted by the commander of the British squadron. As the commander shows him the plane he will fly, a messenger announces to the commander that two more British planes have just been shot down. The commander turns to Rafe and asks, "Are all Yanks as anxious as you to get themselves killed?" Rafe does not hesitate: "I'm not anxious to die, sir," he says. "I'm anxious to matter." As the 21st Space Wing command chief, I have the daily privilege to interact with Airmen who are "anxious to matter." Their passion to be part of something bigger than themselves is the true heart of the American Airmen. So, where does this passion generate from? What is its genesis? Last August, I made a trip to Lackland AFB to see my son graduate from basic training. As a father, it was one of the proudest moments of my life, but as an Airman, it was one of the most eye-opening. It had been 22 years since I attended basic training, and I have to admit, I had forgotten the transformation that occurs. Only eight weeks earlier I had driven my son to MEPS. He hugged his mother and I goodbye and looked at us with wide-eyed anticipation, but there was still a hesitation in him ... almost saying "am I doing the right thing?" Fast-forward eight weeks and I am seated at the coining ceremony the day prior to graduation. The Airmen are presented their first coin in recognition of their achievement and then in unison recite the Airmen's Creed. As you can imagine it was a very powerful moment, but even more powerful was what I saw in my son that day ... something I will never forget ... an anxiousness "to matter." He was not an isolated case, each and every Airman in formation that day expressed the very same anxiousness. And as I witnessed this remarkable event I was overcome by an awesome sense of obligation ... not as a father, but as a fellow Airman and leader. As leaders, we have a duty to train, equip, and empower them to act on this newfound passion. Is it solely our responsibility to ensure they maintain this passion? Not precisely - it is an individual's responsibility. However, we play a vital role in its development and there is no greater impact than through our example. Daily we have the choice "to matter." So, as you read this, I encourage you to renew your commitment "to matter" in all that you do. Our Airmen deserve nothing less.