An Honorable Life

In May of that year, the United States Air Force Academy Class of 2025 invited their 50-year legacy class (USAFA '75) to participate in the commissioning ceremonies for their new second lieutenants. I had the privilege of addressing Cadet Squadron 30. My presentation can be viewed here (the videographer missed out on the last couple of sentences) and its pertinent parts repeated below . The convictions herein were not inherent within me when I graduated -- rather, they were learned over time through failure, self reflection, and growth. My experience suggests that adherence to this path might help dodge many pitfalls, and lead to a life well-lived for these young officers.

"May I add a quick personal note: you have supplemented your honor code with a pledge to live an honorable life. We didn't have that in my day. Ours was a four-year contract to make sure we didn't get kicked out of the Academy. What we did with the Honor Code after graduation was up to us.

But now you have pledged to live an honorable life. It's no longer just a four-year contract. So what does that mean? Perhaps this: An honorable person wil not lie to his friends, or cheat on a spouse, or steal from an employer. But moreover, when you hold the physical or emotional well-being of a subordinate or a loved one in your hands, you control that person's very life. In those circumstances, the honorable person will sacrifice. He or she will sacrifice his or her wants, needs, and desires for the other person's. The honorable person will reject selfishness and embrace his or her moral compass, learned here at the Air Force Academy. The person whose life you control will come first, before your very own.

For the most part, your lives will be a series of choices. The honorable person is bound to make more good choices. The dishonorable person who ignores his or her moral compass will be haunted by regrets. Choose to live an honorable life."