Career service members, how do you balance work, family, education, and recreation?

A strong family is key, regardless of whether a person is in the military or not. If your spouse is a strong person, able to take care of themselves and their family when necessary, and has honor and integrity, then the family issue becomes much less of an issue.

When you're home, your home. Not at work. When you're at work, you're at work.

Education? That's simply a matter of hard work dedication, and planning. Do it. Or do not do it. The choice is yours.

Recreation? Work hard, play hard. Most issues with respect to recreation probably lie with time management and budget. Keep your budget under control and you'll find you have more fiscal opportunities. Keeping home time to yourself will also find more opportunities.

Being in the military is hard work. Not everybody is cut out for it, and there is no shame in that. Sometimes being in the military just doesn't work for one's family, education, and recreation. If one falls under this category, do the best you can while you're in, complete your obligations, then move on.

A Chief once told me, many years ago when I was a junior Sailor: "The Navy won't end a marriage. The Navy is an accelerator...if your marriage is weak and failing, it'll just fail faster while you're in the Navy. Getting out only means the weak and failing marriage might last a bit longer before it fails."

First, if the work you are doing will impact the Airmen then it is important and should come first. Your job is to lead by example and that sometimes mean you need to gut out the tough spots. We have all felt the lag points in our careers and it is tough. The real reward is when you see those Airmen being recognized for outstanding performance. Don't micromanage, let someone else take on responsibilities their rank affords them and never be afraid to stand in their corner when they fail. The balance is in your ability to let others take on greater responsibility to grow while you lead them forward in their careers. Remember, the AF will take everything you have if you let it and you need to take the time to recharge your batteries and take care of your family too. Find my in the global if you need anything else.

I never worried about making rank. It happened as it was supposed to happen. My priorities were always about doing the job, the mission accomplishment, my family, then taking care of myself. I went to my PME schools when I was caught by the Wing SEA.