VIEW FROM TOP>>Our Air Force, a great investment

By Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley
19th Airlift Wing command chief

If you are one who keeps up with the news, you can’t help but notice that our economy is currently in a state a flux. This caused me to reflect on the different type of investment options available. I know you all are wondering where to place your resources for the best return. I personally have dabbled in the market with mixed results. However, the best investment I have made since becoming a man is in my Air Force.

The U.S. Air Force has been a tremendous investment and continues to yield a substantial return. From a financial standpoint we receive pay raises annually. Then there are allowances such as housing and subsistence which are not taxable. Being able to shop on base has consistently been a cost saving privilege for many years. This is just the tip of the iceberg from an investment standpoint.

Having access to Tricare for active duty, retirees and family members is a great return on your Air Force investment. Peace of mind is secured in the knowledge that exceptional health care professionals are at your disposal. Another vital residual of your career is great training and educational benefits.

Typically those who transition from our ranks are better educated due to programs the Air Force offers to pursue educational dreams. This coupled with the hands-on job training received daily make each member of our team well rounded. These efforts typically result in increased job security for our Airmen; and we all know this is not the case in many places in the private sector.

So as I continued to ponder which investment has generated the best return, the answer became clear to me. The Air Force has clearly outperformed any other investment option that I have pursued. The people, experiences and places I have encountered are things that cannot be measured on a spreadsheet, but are awesome nonetheless. So, remember in the investment world you get out of it what you put into it. So, are you fully invested in your Air Force? It is clearly invested in you.

Combat Airlift!