I have the honor to serve as the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron commander. In that capacity, it has been my pleasure to share the uniqueness of the U.S. aeromedical evacuation system with numerous visitors, as well as with colleagues from partner countries.
I routinely use just those words, “honor to serve,” when I introduce myself and have reflected on their meaning. While the phrase may be considered to be common in the military community, it is no less profound, and I wanted to share a few aspects of my reflection.
First, turning to the Cambridge dictionary, the noun “honor” means a quality that combines respect, being proud and honesty.
It is the perfect word to illustrate my feelings of the people and their dedication to complete our squadron’s mission.
My squadron provides nursing care and transports sick, injured and wounded service members and beneficiaries. On a recent aeromedical flight, a patient
shared his opinion of my flight nurse role.
“You have the coolest job,” the patient said. Of course, I agreed. While aeromedical evacuation is a particularly visible role, there are numerous mundane, behind the scenes tasks that are critical for the safe execution of each flight.
Regardless of recognition, each job in the military is essential, and all service members must complete their duties to the best of their abilities for success.
For me, honor is not limited to a unit-level perspective, rather it extends to all men and women who have taken the military oath upon which our service was founded.
Honor is an apt noun related to military service, however, it can also be used as a verb and be bestowed.
Americans honor military personnel and their service. As recipients of such honor, all military personnel are charged with the responsibility of preserving it.
Military service is not just a job, but a duty to protect our country 24/7. The actions rendered in the completion of that duty are accountable to the public to whom we serve.
Furthermore, each member is a representative to advance or damage the public’s trust and confidence by their acts.
Choices individuals make on and off duty create the military face to the public. Service core values are the foundation of the military lifestyle and behaviors exhibiting adherence to these values are key to what separates military service from any other job.
Let us shift from honor to ponder on the word “serve.”
One definition of serve is to work for or to carry out your duty. While the work concept is a natural link to the military, in order to be focused and efficient to carry out duties, balance is required.
In the Air Force, this is termed resiliency and is divided into four realms: physical, spiritual, social and mental. Military service demands physical fitness,
mental strength and financial security, while forging family and social bonds, as well as internal and spiritual serenity.
Military service also extends beyond the individual. Serve can also be defined as: help, spend time and help achieve. Pivotal to serving in the military is the ability to serve one another. This embodies the wingman concept.
Here, each Airman actively seeks to identify threats/dangers and assist one another both on and off duty. This is more than a slogan, rather a genuine interest and interaction with fellow service members, and ranges from mentoring individuals to asking the tough questions like, “Are you considering suicide?” This type of wingman extends to families, particularly of deployed personnel.
True service is not limited to duties but actions to care for and develop one another.
Honor to serve extends beyond an individual perspective to include the responsibility of all military members to preserve it as well as service to the country and each other. I am honored to serve beside such dedicated professionals. What does “honor to serve” mean to you? Are you honored to serve?
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News for the Ramstein, Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl & Baumholder military communities in Germany 
I have the honor to serve as the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron commander. In that capacity, it has been my pleasure to share the uniqueness of the U.S. aeromedical evacuation system with numerous visitors, as well as with colleagues from partner countries.
I routinely use just those words, “honor to serve,” when I introduce myself and have reflected on their meaning. While the phrase may be considered to be common in the military community, it is no less profound, and I wanted to share a few aspects of my reflection.
First, turning to the Cambridge dictionary, the noun “honor” means a quality that combines respect, being proud and honesty.
It is the perfect word to illustrate my feelings of the people and their dedication to complete our squadron’s mission.
My squadron provides nursing care and transports sick, injured and wounded service members and beneficiaries. On a recent aeromedical flight, a patient
shared his opinion of my flight nurse role.
“You have the coolest job,” the patient said. Of course, I agreed. While aeromedical evacuation is a particularly visible role, there are numerous mundane, behind the scenes tasks that are critical for the safe execution of each flight.
Regardless of recognition, each job in the military is essential, and all service members must complete their duties to the best of their abilities for success.
For me, honor is not limited to a unit-level perspective, rather it extends to all men and women who have taken the military oath upon which our service was founded.
Honor is an apt noun related to military service, however, it can also be used as a verb and be bestowed.
Americans honor military personnel and their service. As recipients of such honor, all military personnel are charged with the responsibility of preserving it.
Military service is not just a job, but a duty to protect our country 24/7. The actions rendered in the completion of that duty are accountable to the public to whom we serve.
Furthermore, each member is a representative to advance or damage the public’s trust and confidence by their acts.
Choices individuals make on and off duty create the military face to the public. Service core values are the foundation of the military lifestyle and behaviors exhibiting adherence to these values are key to what separates military service from any other job.
Let us shift from honor to ponder on the word “serve.”
One definition of serve is to work for or to carry out your duty. While the work concept is a natural link to the military, in order to be focused and efficient to carry out duties, balance is required.
In the Air Force, this is termed resiliency and is divided into four realms: physical, spiritual, social and mental. Military service demands physical fitness,
mental strength and financial security, while forging family and social bonds, as well as internal and spiritual serenity.
Military service also extends beyond the individual. Serve can also be defined as: help, spend time and help achieve. Pivotal to serving in the military is the ability to serve one another. This embodies the wingman concept.
Here, each Airman actively seeks to identify threats/dangers and assist one another both on and off duty. This is more than a slogan, rather a genuine interest and interaction with fellow service members, and ranges from mentoring individuals to asking the tough questions like, “Are you considering suicide?” This type of wingman extends to families, particularly of deployed personnel.
True service is not limited to duties but actions to care for and develop one another.
Honor to serve extends beyond an individual perspective to include the responsibility of all military members to preserve it as well as service to the country and each other. I am honored to serve beside such dedicated professionals. What does “honor to serve” mean to you? Are you honored to serve?