Terminal One

Temptation Rising

2nd month...
Fortwainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska

"Taylor, you did good out there today." "Thank you Master Sergeant Braxton." Zac said, standing at attention.

"At ease, soldier." Zac loosens up a little. "I mean it, Airman Taylor." Braxton tells him. "I appreciate a soldier like yourself of such caliber and discipline. It lets us know that we can count on you."

"Indeed you can, Sergeant." Zac told him. "And if you don't mind, can I be direct?" "Of course." "I thank you for recognizing my ability to be disciplined but I'm also struggling." "Oh." Braxton said with a surprised tone.

"Well how about you finish up here then meet me back at my office so we can talk about it." He suggested.

Zac stands at attention, "Yes Sir." "Great. See you in a few." "See you soon, Sir." Zac replied as he got back to work on the airplane he was working on.

Almost an hour later...

Knock, knock, knock

"Come in." Braxton says. Zac enters, taking off his hat, saluting his Sergeant then stood there until he is instructed to have a seat.

Barton gestures for him to have a seat, "Thank you Sir." "No problem Taylor. What's on your mind?" "Would a list of what's NOT on my mind be sufficient?" Zac told him in a monotone.

Braxton chuckles a little, "That much huh?" "Yes." Zac expressed with an exasperated sigh.

"Ok. Well wherever you wanna start. Lay it on me." Braxton told him.

Zac closed his eyes, taking a breath then said, "first I wanna thank you for the validation on a job well done but I'm feeling somewhat inadequate in my duties sir." "How so?" "Well, when I first got here most of my days consisted of me going to classes to get me prepared to do what I'm doing now." "Of course because you have to crawl before walk..." "Indeed. But I think that's why I'm feeling inadequate Sir."

Braxton leans back in his chair thinking, "Care to explain?"

Zac proceeds to tell him of his daily duties, which Braxton is fully aware of because he assigned them. However, Zac also told him how the daily duties were shining more of his weaknesses than his strengths.

Braxton smiles, "Hmmm." He utters, "Zac...." He says getting Zac's attention because everyone is usually called by their last names. "I did that for that specific purpose. I'm trying to sharpen you son." He told him sternly.

Zac sighs because this past month, he could tell he was being tested. His discernment was dead on every time but he still couldn't shake the feeling of being completely inadequate in what he was doing. He kept fumbling and messing up, which is crucial to the field because one wrong move the plane could become a complete malfunction, which a "no no" on the field.

"Listen Taylor, I'm letting you know now that you're doing a great job." Zac slumps, "It may not seem like it but you are. You're dedicated, driven, self-motivated, and precise." He added, encouraging him.

"Plus your willingness to be a team player while also being a mentor and leader are everything we're looking for. But even with all those qualities, we don't need men that are good in one area. We need men that are good in all areas and we see that in you, Son." Braxton told him.

"We decided to place you with the fighter Aircraft crew to prepare you for aircraft maintenance, weapons systems, and avionics specialty operations training because we want you to become aware of those types of aircraft's, as well as others to ensure that your next placement and advancement will take you to a level of expertise that's needed for your next rank." He explained.