Choose to choose responsible Published April 6, 2007 By Senior Airman Tim Beckham 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Responsibility, judgment, dependability and punctuality ... What do these words have in common? They are just a few things driven by the choices we make. Choice: the right, power or chance to choose; option. This is what Webster's tells us choice means. The right or chance to choose is a pretty powerful statement when you think about it. What this basically means is that if you choose poorly, you can't use someone else as a scapegoat because you had the right or chance to make the proper decision. Look back at the words at the beginning of this story and take them into consideration for a second. Responsibility: There are two Airmen at a bar. The first Airman orders one beer and sips on it for a good 45 minutes to an hour ... The second Airman orders two beers and two shots thinking he won't have to wait in line again for a while. An hour later the first Airman has almost all his wits about him and is in good shape for the rest of the night, while the other is practically drunk and now capable of making even more bad choices. Both Airmen were given the same right, power and chance to make their own choice. Judgment: The same two Airmen, now ready to leave, take completely different paths again. The first Airman, we'll call him "Airman Good Choice," left his car keys at home so he would have to catch a cab or ride with someone else, eliminating the chance for a DUI. Airman number two, we'll call him "Airman Bad Choice," drove his car to the bar thinking that if he did have too much to drink he could always call the cab later. Little did he know, once drunk and feeling fine to drive, Airman Bad Choice hops in his car and takes off. Again, both Airmen were given equal opportunity to make their own choice. This just goes to show that some choices need to be pre-planned. Dependability: We fast forward to a different night and Airman Good Choice has decided he will be the designated driver and primary wingman for the night because after all, his friend did it last weekend. As a result, everyone in Airman Good Choice's car arrives home safe and sound. That same night Airman Bad Choice has also decided to be DD and primary wingman; however, after seeing the fun his friends are having, goes to the bar and has a couple of cocktails. Once again Airman Bad Choice thinks he is Airman Invincible and attempts to drive home, putting himself, his wingmen and everyone else on the road at risk. Punctuality: Yes, even punctuality is a choice. Of course, there are always things beyond our control, but that doesn't mean you can't set yourself up for success. Airman Good Choice looks at his watch, sees that it's 9:30 p.m. and realizes there is an exercise tomorrow and for the good of the mission, goes home, gets a good nights rest and comes to work the next day on-time, ready to work. Airman Bad Choice, however, looks at his watch, sees that it's 9:30 p.m. and realizes he still has a good three or four hours of partying before he has to leave. Airman Bad Choice shows up to work an hour late, hung over and tired meaning someone else will yet again have to pick up his slack. The point is everyone has choices to make for themselves, some more important than others, but all can have a significant effect if snowballed.