In the early years of my college career I was a happy-go-lucky, hitting-the-books just enough to pass kind of student at Fayetteville State University. I do not recall that I had much of a plan…beyond finishing college. As a matter of fact, I do not remember needing or worrying about what lie ahead. In my world, one graduated high school–if lucky, and if persistent and lucky, two or three percent went on to college. Beyond college was not seriously contemplated and most people I knew, simply went where life took them.
This is precisely why I believe that today adult intervention and concern in young peoples’ lives are STILL critically important. While no single adult influence intervened in my life, I do recall that an institutional influence did. A flyer posted in a FSU Vance Hall stairwell caught my eye. Curiosity and the words “Earn up $13,000 a year,” drove me to look into “AFROTC coming to FSU.” Throughout my post-FSU days, I acknowledge this to have been a pivotal moment in my life.
In navigating the up-or-out promotion world of Air Force officer-ship, I recall frequently facing the reality of lack of preparation, lack of cultural acuity and lack of academic prowess necessary to equitably compete. But more importantly I remembered that I had been given an opportunity. I recognized that since the door had been cracked open…even if only a bit, the onus was on me to make the best of the opportunity.
It was that cracked door; the door that had been pushed slightly ajar that provided ample motivation. I chose not to assign blame, point fingers or make excuses. The door had been opened. I needed to put forth the effort; whatever it takes, to take advantage of a door opened by others.
FSU leadership had been visionary; seen the need provide career options, investigated the possibilities and took the steps needed to open the door. The Chancellor and others had cracked the door. Still others, like two Air Force Noncommissioned Officers (then assigned to FSU’s Detachment 607) administratively vetted, groomed and processed unlikely officer candidates such as me. Still others warned that if my grades did not improve I would not become a commissioned officer. These and other efforts were undertaken to improve access to and through the cracked door.
This is the institutional influence that had created the crack in the door; that had provided an opening; an opportunity. When the door is cracked, one may hesitate and be left behind or go through, seize the opportunity and apply the persistence and work needed to succeed. Personally, I recognized early on that I would need to get up earlier, stay later, inquire constantly, seek out mentors and compete more fiercely. My motivation: knowing that institutional leadership had cared enough to open the door.
Please join me in giving back. Our goal is to raise $500,000 for FSU military programs or other needs as the University sees fit. Make your donation today and keep the doors open for others.
Provided by a Detachment 607 commissioned officer