Answers to Questions

A few days ago I asked readers to ask me any questions they would like and I got a great response.  Seriously, the questions you guys think of are incredible and really caused me to think.  The following are the questions and my answers to each.

Joe Day asks:  “How do you juggle being a follower of Christ in the armed services? What are the potential pitfalls and how do you navigate them? How do your fellow servicemen view your faith? Why is Ron Burgundy your biggest hero?”

Answer: It’s actually not as big of a juggling act as one might think.  The core values of the Air Force: integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do are the very same values that shape my life as a Christian.  The sacrificial part of the military, the idea that I would willingly lay my life down for the guy next to me is at the core of the Gospel.  The majority of the people I work with love their country and their families, work extremely hard without complaint and perform their jobs with the utmost of professionalism.

The challenges…well, I am sometimes questioned about why I don’t get drunk, or “party like a rockstar,” but 99% of the people I deal with have complete respect for my choices and for my faith in Christ.  The military has always been a great environment for people to deepen their faith.  In many ways, much easier than a job in the civilian world.  The real challenge is convincing strong, independent guys who in many way, have their lives pretty well on track that they need a savior.

Finally, Ron Burgundy is my biggest hero because who else has a home that smells of rich mahogany, many leather-bound books and plays a mean jazz flute?

Dustin DeKoekkoek asks: “I don’t know what your thought are on the Iraq war and that’s not what I’m asking, but what are your thought on being part of the military in a time of unjustified war (whether that be in Iraq or not, I’m not trying to argue that point). How would you reconcile being a Christian in the armed forces in a time of unjust war? You asked for it”

Answer:  I started working on this question and soon realized that a few paragraphs simply would not do it justice.  So, Dustin, don’t think I’m skipping your question, instead I’m going to follow-up with an entire post on it.

Ankesh Kothari asks:  “If I wanted to learn how to fly, what would you suggest is the best approach (which airplane to start with, how much time would it take, how expensive do you think it would be)? (I am not based in USA – but its ok if your advice is US specific.)  AND….

What’s the best thing you learned as a pilot that you wouldn’t have in the boring 9-5 job?”

Answer:  I think the best approach is to go to your local airport and inquire about flying lessons.  My flying experience is a bit different than most, simply because I didn’t do any civilian flying, all my flight training came free through the Air Force.

That being said, I have many friends that go their private pilot’s licenses (PPL).  All of them started out on a Cessna 172 or 182.  Time-wise, it takes a minimum of 40 flight hours to get your PPL.  And costs vary quite a bit depending on where you go and the fees they charge, but plan on $5,000 on the low end to $10,000 on the high end.  This includes books, ground school, plane rental fees, instructor fees, etc.

The best thing I have learned as a pilot that I wouldn’t have learned in other jobs is how to manage incredibly complex and stressful situations in real-time.  Flying a jet around at 350 knots speeds up the decision making process quite a bit, and when things go wrong, not only do you have to get the jet on the ground, but you have to work with the rest of your crew to make sure everyone is on board and doing their job.  This kind of speed and stress isn’t found in too many desk jobs.

Josh R. asks: “How long do you plan to stay in the AF? Do you plan to fly for a living when through? Is flying for a living fun? Or do you think it eventually become just another day at the office?  You ever fly sailplanes?

Answer: You asked the million dollar question my friend.  At this point I just don’t know how long I will stay in.  I have a 10-year commitment, so I’ll at least be in til 2017.  At that point I will have to decide if I want to stay in 10 more years in order to reach retirement.  I change my mind on this about every day, so I don’t have a concrete answer yet.  The family and I will sit down when the time comes and sort through the pros and cons.

Yes, flying for a living is incredibly fun.  And yes, it can become “just another day in the office.”  I think it’s less susceptible than other jobs simply because you’re always traveling, getting a change of scenery, new missions, new people, etc.  But, it can happen, lot’s of guys get burned out after 5 or 6 years.  It’s key to have a life outside of flying or burn-out is much more likely.  Finally, yes, I have flown sailplanes at the Air Force Academy and I loved it!

Mark asks: “My wife is pregnant with our first child, a girl! As the father of a girl what do you feel is most important advice for a father-to-be that is having a girl? (I am not really asking for general fatherhood advise, but specifically being a father to a girl.) Thanks!”

Answer: First of all congratulations, having a girl is wonderful!  I’ll be honest, when I first heard we were having a girl I was a bit nervous, simply because felt more comfortable with my abilities to raise a boy.  However, I am now so glad that we had a girl.  The best thing in the world is coming home from work and having her smile at you and put out her arms for you to pick her up.

As far as advice, the best I’ve heard was given at church about a month ago.  One of the pastors said that as a father one should answer, “yes” to your child’s questions.  A little girl is always asking (not always in these exact words), “Am I lovely, am I beautiful?”  and later on, “Am I worth pursuing?”  As a dad of a girl it’s your job to constantly answer, “Yes, you ARE lovely, you ARE beautiful and you ARE worth pursuing.”

Andrew Melander asks: “Hey Cameron. I know that the Air Force requires you to move around quite a bit, making it difficult to maintain a stable life for you and your family. What have you found to be the best ways to stay connected to old friends and get involved in your new communities? Along those lines, how do you go about finding a new church? [I know I've asked you some of these in person, just thought it might benefit others as well ]”

Answer: So far, the best ways I have found to stay connected with friends is to call them on the phone regularly and read the same books that they are reading.  The best way to get involved in a new community is to get involved in your local church for starters.  Outside of that I’ve found it’s also important to meet the local business owners.  They have their ears to the pulse of the city and always have the best advice for restaurants, places to go, etc.

Finding a new church is not always easy depending on where you go.  My advice is to take your time.  I’m not saying take years, but don’t jump into the first church you go to.  It may be the right one, but taking the time to go to several not only exposes you the spiritual climate of the city, but also helps you understand your core values and why you even go to church in the first place.  It’s a great exercise in your faith.  On a more practical note, Relevant Magazine’s website has a great church directory.

Mike Bates asks: “The popular image of the military suggests that it’s still a difficult place to be if you’re a woman. Do you concur with this? Would you want your daughter to be in the armed services?  AND…fill in the blank.  My life is __% like the movie Top Gun.”

Answer:  The military is a tough place for a woman, but not for the reasons most might think.  While the level of harassment following the initial integration of woman into the military was unacceptable, the culture has changed a great deal in the past decade with a focus on mutual respect and professionalism.  The reason it is still a difficult place for the female is simply because the military profession naturally plays more to the strengths of men than woman.  As far as my daughter, I would not encourage her to join, but at the end of the day it would have to be her decision which I would respect.

For the Top Gun question, it depends.  If you’re comparing my life to that of a computer programmer, then I would say my life is quite a bit like “Top Gun.”  If you’re comparing me to a fighter pilot, my life is much less like the movie.  Why?  I fly C-17′s which are large cargo aircraft as opposed to the F-14 that Maverick flew.  Second, I’m in the Air Force, “Top Gun” was a Navy movie…may not seem like it would matter, but believe me, it does.  I do wear a flight suit like Maverick, but I don’t look nearly as good.  And finally, I don’t play much beach volleyball and my wife won’t let me get a motorcycle.  So, I’ll go with %60.

Jacob Goodlin asks: “I will ask an easy and shallow question. Whats your favorite TV Series? If you say Prison Break, I will respect you even more.”

Answer:  A close tie between, “Lost” and “The Office” – definitely want to check out “Prison Break” though, have heard good things!

Akshay Kapur asks: “Why did you start blogging? AND – What led you to decide on flying as a career?

Answer:  I started blogging originally to get better at writing.  I didn’t promote it at all, but started getting something tiny like 8 visitors a day and was thinking, “Holy Cow!  Someone is actually reading this junk!”  Then I thought, “Hmm, if people are actually going to read this maybe I should write more about things that will help people rather than keeping a journal of sorts.  It slowly evolved from there.

I’ll be honest, even after I made the decision to fly, I wasn’t sure if it was the right one.  Now, I know it was, but at the time I was torn between my love of business and finance and my love for travel, adventure and flying.  I decided that if I was going to serve in the Air Force for 5-10 years, I would much rather be flying around in the wild blue yonder than sitting behind a desk all day.  So glad now that I chose as I did.

Brett McKay asks: “When can you retire from the Air Force? When you do, what would you do with your free time?”

Answer:  I have a 10-year commitment to the Air Force that started when I graduated from pilot training last December.  If I leave then I won’t get retirement because you need 20 years to get full retirement.  As I said in a previous answer, I really am not sure yet how long I will stay in.

As for what I will do when I get out, I have a list of possibilities about 1-mile long.  I would love to start my own business, do some missions work in Africa, or maybe even run for political office.  I know, I know, those 3 things seem to be polar opposites of each other, but this is the internal struggle I face daily, haha!

Secret Admirer (hmmm, wonder who that is?) asks: “You seem to have a great physique. How do you keep in such great physical shape? And does it have anything to do with your wife’s awesomeness?”

Answer:  My wife cooks very healthy food for me at home, but then I eat Twinkies from the squadron snack bar, feel guilty, then go run a few miles.  And I lift a bit as well.

Sara Martin asks: “…just wondering how much you miss your friends in Colorado Springs?”

Answer: So so much, speaking of which, when are you guys moving to Tacoma?

Beau Suder asks: “What do you think chairs would look like if our legs bent the other way?”

Answer: who asks that, seriously (this is my former roommate people so don’t be sad with my harsh treatment of him, he likes it).  I think it would look like a “U”…wait, why am I even answering this…

Justin Steinhart asks: “top 3 life-altering books?  AND…
how felt to loose to me in a foot race in steamboat?”

Answer:  besides The Word – “The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman, “How Should We Then Live” by Francis Schaeffer and “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis

AND….I don’t know what you’re talking about, they called me the white flash in high school so I don’t think that would be physically possible.

Mathieu asks: “(1) How do you stay organized and focused on achieving your goals in your professional and personal life? How do you personally handle setbacks or ways that you know other people have handled them that you admire?  (2) Any grooming or fashion advice you can give as a man?  (3) How do you handle money issues between you and your wife or friends?

Answer:

1.  To stay organized in reaching my goals I use this.  And this.

2.  As for grooming I use mostly Kiehl’s products and love them.

3.  As for money issues between my wife and I, we share an account and a common outlook on how we should spend, save, or invest our money.  We have a budget that we both review so we’re both on the same page.  Communication is key so that our expectations are aligned and there are no surprises.

Rob asks: “Hi, I am an aspiring pilot am trying to work out whether I should join the Royal Australian Air Force or take part in the Qantas Cadetship (ie; Military or Civilian paths?) What do you recommend, and how would you recommend I make the decision?  Also if I joined up I would look to fly the C-17 or the KC30B, can you tell me more about the lifestyle that comes with these aircraft?

Answer:  I actually met some Aussies at my initial C-17 training, what a great bunch of guys and gals!  If you want to travel a lot, accomplish some great things for your country and the world, scare yourself every once in a while and fly a $200 million dollar plane, I say fly the C-17.  The military route is great when it comes to feeling like you’re doing something that really matters.

As for the lifestyle, I am fairly new so I don’t have deep wells of experience to draw from.  However, in talking to the guys in my squad the lifestyle consists of lots of short trips throughout the year to places all over the world, as well as a longer deployment every once and a while.  When you’re home you are resting, filling out paperwork, training in the simulator and keeping your family and social life healthy.  Fast paced, but a fun group of people to work with and a great jet.

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