My educational journey: Live and learn -- a continuous process Published May 1, 2012 By Daniel Sitterly, SES USAF AF/CVA WASHINGTON -- Simon Sinek is an inspirational speaker, author and friend of the Air Force whose book, Start with Why, is on the Chief of Staff's reading list. Why are we in the Air Force? I would argue it is because we attract, develop and retain innovative Airmen who can influence processes and inspire people to reshape and redefine the battle space of the joint war fighting team. The Air Force values development -- education, training, experience and reading. What defines us as a service is our ability to turn new ideas into innovative courses of action in peace and especially in war. As our nation faces huge challenges domestically and abroad, it is this investment in human capital that our Air Force leadership values that will get us through the tough times and prepare us for the future. My own thoughts on learning weren't always so strategic. I first really started thinking about education when I was Airman Basic Sitterly, sitting at the J Bar T in Great Falls, Montana, 36 years ago. One night, a "well seasoned" young staff sergeant sat down next to me to grab a sandwich between early evening classes and late night classes at the local university. I was grabbing a cold drink between early evening drinks and late night drinks. He told me what a waste of time it was for me to be sitting there "enjoying the night" when I could be going to school and the Air Force would pay for most of it. I explained that I had just graduated from tech school and had "filled that square." He began to lecture me that learning doesn't end when one walks across the stage and collects that diploma, nor upon completion of tech training; it lasts a lifetime. "It is a continuous endeavor," he suggested. The very next day (by chance, I have long wondered?) a young civilian Education Services Officer (ESO) "randomly" showed up in my work area with the forms already completed for me to enroll in school. He mentored me and taught me that the benefits of a lifelong education are invaluable both for individuals and for the institutions that employ them, whether I decided to make the Air Force a career or not. He made sense, as did the young staff sergeant, so I signed up that day. After a few classes, I fell in love with education and learning. I would even later become a PME instructor. That young ESO, Neil Parisot, became a lifelong mentor and friend. I PCSd from Montana to Japan and discovered some other adventures besides learning. Mr. Parisot PCSd to the same base (by chance?) and got me back on track once again. Eventually, he would guide me through an Associate of Applied Science degree though the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Science in business and a Master of Education. Mr. Parisot took a personal interest in my career and taught me the importance of education and learning for myself and for the Air Force. As markets, technology and one's role within an organization change, the need to go back and reexamine one's store of knowledge is constant. Change is something you contend with no matter the field you are in. You must be prepared for it and learn. I recently changed jobs from the Director of Force Development for the Air Force to the Deputy Director, Air Force Staff. I have a lot to learn to be successful in this new role, but Mr. Parisot prepared me for this moment. I am still studying and learning. Mr. Parisot, if you're reading this, please know my lifelong journey of education continues. Thank you, my dear friend and mentor. I can only hope that I touch one Airman's life the way you have touched mine!