Zachary Hornberger
Success is relative to a person's perception of what it means to be successful - to some success may involve aspirations to be wealthy or famous, yet to others success is the journey they take in life. Gen. Powell's comment, "There are not secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure," is a reflection of what many describe as the American spirit. People have managed to achieve this through several ways, from climbing the corporate ladder to becoming the first African American President of the United States. While my accomplishments may not have brought me tremendous wealth or worldwide recognition, I can proudly say that I have found success through my military experience, which helped me to raise a wonderful family and complete my Master's Degree.
When I enlisted at the age of 17 in the U.S. Army, it was a means to pay for college. My parents had not attended college and my counselor was less-than-informative regarding financial aid options. The recruiter who visited my high school was the first person to show me how I could pay for an education. My expectations of the military were that I would travel the world while earning money to pay for school. Although my father fulfilled his requirement to serve, it was prior to my birth and I had no concept of what a commitment to serve in the U.S. military really meant.
During my enlistment in the Army, I learned that I could do anything I set my mind to. As a young female assigned to a primarily male Company, I was determined to prove my worth. I declined all offers to become a receptionist and set forth to master my job as a "wire dog." The job was physically demanding and, during our multiple field operations, was exhausting…whining was not an option.
It wasn't until the spring of 1986, however, when members assigned to my base in West Germany were injured in the LaBella discotheque bombing and the ensuing US strike on Libya that I realized the extent of the commitment I made. Suddenly the news that had always seemed so distant and non-relevant had become a part of my life. It was then that I began to realize the true impact of becoming a soldier in the United States military. Patriotism was an unexpected gift I received from enlisting in the Army.
After four years I completed my active duty enlistment in the Army and signed up for the Arizona National Guard while I began to put my GI Bill to use. I finished my commitment to the National Guard a few years prior to completing my nursing degree. I was thrilled when at the age of 28, with two young children and a husband I could say that I finally accomplished my goal of obtaining my degree. I was as proud to be a nurse as I had been to be a soldier.
As I started out in my new profession, it didn't take me long to realize that many of my co-workers seemed to think of their position as a job versus a career. Although this may have been satisfying to them, I soon missed the mindset of the military environment. I quickly sought out an opportunity to become a member of the U.S. Air Force.
As a member of the US Air Force I have been afforded many opportunities to grow in my career, both as a nurse and as an officer. My family and I have been recipients of many advantages the military has to offer. We have lived overseas for seven years and traveled the world. But with opportunity comes the sacrifices that all military families face. We have lived away from extended family and my kids have learned that the internet is a way of keeping in touch with the friends that they left behind. As a family we weathered the rough times of my deployment and my numerous missions as a flight nurse that would take me away from home for unknown days or weeks.
On one such mission I was again reminded of the success I have achieved. It was during the Christmas holidays when a C-17 from the Alaskan Guard was re-tasked to fly myself and my crew from Okinawa, Japan to Saipan where we met up with a medical team from Tripler Army Medical Center that had been dropped off within 30 minutes of our landing. We were driven to a small hospital where we were to transport a nine year old boy who had a life-threatening infection and was on life support. As we wheeled him out of the hospital on the gurney the hallways were lined with over 80 people who reached out to touch us and pray for us and the child whose life we were now responsible for. I suddenly felt like a superhero, and hoped that I could be a part of saving the day for this child.
Our mission was to ensure this child arrived safely to the Children's hospital on Oahu, Hawaii. There were many precarious moments during the transport of this young boy, to include an equipment failure that resulted in over 45 minutes of manual resuscitation to sustain his life as we all worked feverishly to remedy the situation. After over seven hours we landed. The child was transported safely to the hospital and two months later was back at home in Saipan. This mission where the Army, Air Force and National Guard came together from across the Pacific to a small island to save a young life validated why I do, what I do. Our hard work ensured the success of this mission and the life of this child.
As a military nurse I have numerous stories, some as dramatic as this while others are as simple as listening to the story of a WWII Vet as he undergoes a painful procedure. These assurances of my success would not have been possible had it not been for the journey and sacrifices that were made while earning my degree.
By extension, my children have witnessed that hard work and sacrifice pay off in the end. My husband and I have taught them that if you dream it, you can achieve it...through hard work and discipline. Now as my oldest prepares for college, I believe that he has learned from my experiences and will excel in his endeavors to pursue a medical career.
