In all things, Aim High.

Serving in Congress is a privilege — and it’s a job that comes with many challenges and various battles to fight. After 11 years in office, it can be easy to allow the latest bad news story, divisive issue, or cultural fight to swallow up your sense of optimism. Far too many people in politics fail to fight that tendency and worse, they spread the darkness that’s overtaken them to others and to their constituents. It’s a downward spiral, and one that needs to stop.

In this business, and in so many others, we must remember how great this nation is and how lucky we are to call it home. I had this important reminder quite recently.

In 2004, I went to pilot training in Enid, Oklahoma at the world’s smallest base and busiest airspace. Vance Air Force Base holds many memories for me, and I had always wanted to return and talk to the graduating class of the long blue line — look out at the new aviators charged with keeping us safe and share what I’d learned.

I remember the challenges I had back then and the wisdom I received, which in hindsight was spot-on despite dismissing it at the time as “ramblings of senior officers.” But more importantly, I learned the skillset I keep in practice today: piloting expensive planes with important missions and how to lead in that process.

Much has been debated about the military as of late, and while it’s really nothing new, it’s still a concern — especially now. Every new Administration has their spin on what the military should do, look like, teach, etc. Commanders have increasingly feared making a decision that could put them in the headlines, and publicity hungry leaders in politics lurk about for any story that could propel them into the headlines.

Sadly, the military has taken a black eye for the insurrection on January 6th, where a few retired or active members actively helped destroy the safety of the Capitol Complex. Some have even tried to pin the slow reaction of the Commander in Chief on the military, even though it was the former President who failed to call for their assistance until well after the Capitol had already been breached.

Our military follows a chain of command, and while only a small percent of the American people will ever fully understand what it means to serve, we as a nation should respect that service and not try to politicize our military.

Any strong and growing military must adapt with the times, recruiting a generation different from the previous. We no longer pump tens of thousands of recruits through training with the expectation that half will die in combat — like we did in World War II.

So, when I made that return trip to Vance Air Force in early July, I was pleased to see that trainees were no longer sitting in front of a poster of the airplane cockpit practicing their “switchology” but instead were immersed in virtual reality exercises, bringing the practice to life. I was surprised to see how much the base had grown, how much of the place I’d forgotten about, and I jealously admired the newer aircraft they got to fly in their training.

And better yet, I was proud to see more women and minorities than we had in my 2004 class, all equally dedicated to the enduring mission of the military: to fight and win against any adversary — anytime and anywhere — in full defense of the United States and in preservation of our security.

The values and the mission stayed the same. Those wide-eyed trainees and newly minted pilots were the same as my graduating class of 05–07. We all share the same commitment to this country and to the military as those who went to Desert Storm and as those who went to Vietnam. After I spoke to the Vance Air Force graduating class, the proverbial torch was passed on to the newest additions of the long blue line, and I felt just as safe and confident in them as I did when my class took those next steps in our military careers.

The legacy continues and America is better because of it. Despite these divided times, where so many are swallowed up in negativity and anger, rest assured: if the enemy comes knocking, you are in good hands.

No matter the challenges or the battles ahead, we must always AIM HIGH.