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My educational journey: Use your influence

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. James Shepherd
  • Aerospace Ground Equipment Instructor, 372d Training Squadron
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  I entered the Air Force in September 2000 and had no ambitions to get an education; I felt the Air Force would give me all the education and training I needed to accomplish my job. At my first assignment, I focused on CDCs and learning my career field. Four years passed and my second assignment was upon me, South Korea. By that time I was married with two children. After my brief tour in Korea came my third assignment, Edwards AFB, Calif. That was where my family and I would settle in for a journey that would change our lives.

At my new duty station, assigned to the Airborne Laser program, I was a young staff sergeant and sat in a cubicle shared by multiple other NCOs, but one in particular set me on a life path that I never imagined possible, Technical Sgt. Thornton. One day we were having a brief conversation while both of us checked our email after morning roll call. He was telling me about working on his electrical engineering degree and applying for an officer training program. I told him that I wished I was going to school. He asked me, "Why are you not in school now?" and I responded with my first of many prepared excuses. After the first two excuses, Sgt. Thornton said, "Shep, let's go." I asked where and he said, "To the college center to sign you up for a class."

Almost six years after that life-changing day, I realize that Technical Sgt. Thornton was prepared to influence those around him to see and experience the joy he had gained from continuing his educational journey. I set out to obtain my Community College of the Air Force degree in Aerospace Ground Equipment and call it good. However, once I started, I was addicted; I realized that an education does more than prepare you for a specific career path. It prepared me to be a leader and manager, but more importantly it provided me an open mind to see things I missed before. For me it was like wearing the wrong prescription eyeglasses for years, and when I finally got the right prescription, I saw more clearly than ever before. In August 2011, I graduated with my master's degree in Project Management and I began work on my doctorate in Organization and Management this past April.

Although it has been so many years since I began my educational journey, I remember how it began like it was yesterday. Moments like that tend to stick with you, more so in the military. I see other Airmen struggling with the choice to begin or continue their educational journeys and I think back to that moment and realize that I must carry on what Sgt. Thornton did for me -- I need to lead the way for others. It can be as simple as going with your Airmen to sign up for their first class, attending a book reading at the local school, or even giving a briefing or speech at a base event. The influences are ever reaching; choose your path of influence and persevere.