Sarah Pflugradt
Leadership Qualities Derived from Service in the Armed Forces
I often say that being in the Air Force was one of the best experiences of my life thus far. It is impossible for me to relay the leadership qualities that I gained in the Air Force without explaining the story behind them. Because it is in our past experiences that make us who we are today.
I enlisted in 1998 after spending two years at college. I was unsure of what I wanted my career to be, so I was unable to declare a major. Going into the military was never something that had crossed my mind before then. I was sure that I was going to take the straight route from high school, to college, to career. It turns out that the Air Force would shape my future in a way that I could not have dreamed. I had never considered myself to possess leadership qualities, but soon after arriving at basic training, I was thrust into a leadership position and I found that I had a way with people. Throughout my enlisted time, I excelled in areas that I never could have imagined doing. I had amazing opportunities and met some outstanding people, and I believe that had a huge impact on me. With the encouragement of my Squadron Commander at my second assignment, I separated and entered ROTC at the University of Missouri - Columbia, where I first started my college career. I found my enlisted experience to be invaluable to my fellow cadets and I would like to think that I was a mentor to them. I commissioned in 2004 with a BS in Nutritional Sciences. I spent the next two years as an Intelligence Officer. I separated in 2006 to join my husband who was entering pilot training on the news that we were expecting our first child. Separating from the Air Force was one of the hardest things that I have had to do. It is hard to put my own leadership qualities on paper, just as it is hard to describe a leader. In my opinion, a great leader has a great aura and charisma, and those cannot be explained. It is also very humbling to describe your own leadership qualities. I do feel that I am a good communicator and a good listener. Both of which are important when people look up to you. They must feel like someone is really listening to their needs and relaying them on. I also feel like experience has made me a great leader. I tried to do everything I could while I was in the Air Force. I volunteered for many TDYs, survival schools, and deployments, not only were they great experiences for me, but now I am able to talk to others about them and encourage them to do the same. I learn from my experiences, good and bad, and put them into practice. Finally, I believe that I set a great example for the troops that were under me. I was always very cognizant that they were learning from me, evaluating me, and trusting me to be a role model.
Sometimes I miss wearing my BDUs and the camaraderie that only the military provides, but with two daughters now and a husband who deploys, going back to school is my first priority. When I tried to get a job in nutrition about a year ago, I found that there is not a job market for "nutritionists", only Registered Dietitians (RD). It was then that I decided to return to college and finish a dietetics degree to be eligible to take the RD exam. It was my time in the Air Force that I realized what I wanted my career to be. Before Basic Training, I had never run a day in my life and after Basic, I realized that I really enjoyed it. My love of working out naturally transitioned into my studying of nutrition. Nutrition and fitness were not subjects that I ever thought I would study. I come from a family of overweight women and men who eat like heart disease is a myth. While I was on active duty, I found myself giving advice on nutrition to coworkers and leading physical training sessions. It was because of this that I became a certified personal trainer and I also have taught various fitness classes.
The Air Force really empowered me to never settle for mediocre and always strive to go one step further. I don't believe that anyone should be satisfied with a less than perfect career, when there are mounds of opportunities out there to make it extraordinary. My ultimate goal right now is to secure the Dietitian position on base at the Health and Wellness Center at our next assignment. I guess if I am not in the active duty ranks any longer, I can at least help to keep them, and their families, strong and healthy.
