Stating he has a love for the Air Force after 35 years of service and experience, Elder Robert C. Oaks told members of the Air Force ROTC that the world can count on the Air Force because they are well-trained.

Elder Oaks retired as an Air Force General in 1994. He is currently serving member of the Second Quorum of Seventy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint.

He said the strongest asset to the Air Force is the well-prepared personnel.

"Preparedness is important in war and in the Air Force," he said. "Today, the United States Air Force is well prepared, especially in people."

Elder Oaks told the cadets that at different times, they should look in the mirror and be proud to say, "I am serving my country."

"It's a calling in a sense," he said. "It needs to be done by good people and it is worth your best effort."

Elder Oaks also said that nations are entitled to their own opinions and we should not criticize those who have different opinions than the United States does. However, he said it is important to act.

"War is a terrible thing, but sometimes not the worst thing," he said.

Oaks also asked cadets to follow President Hinckley's counsel to pray for peace.

"The Lord never tires of hearing our prayers, and we should never tire in saying them," he said.

He counseled the cadets to be taking notes to learn of the valuable lessons that are taking place during the war. They should sift through the large amounts of information to pick out the most important lessons, he said.

"You should especially be into these issues as a professional military person and citizen," Elder Oaks said.

He told the cadets that they would be impressed with the kind of people and the quality leadership they will be surrounded with in their professional lives and the major responsibilities that await them.

"Responsibility comes faster and bigger in the Air Force than in any other organization," he said. "Great responsibilities lay at your feet that will be rewarding."

He gave the following six tips for the cadets as they enter their professional lives in the Air Force:

1. Enjoy the camaraderie in your squadron. He counseled that there is not room for dissention in the squadron and to not let their church group become their exclusive circle of friendship.

2. Don't let the Word of Wisdom be a stumbling block. He said that people usually don't care what you drink, if you don't make a big deal of what they are drinking.

3. Cherish your Air Force friends.

4. Work hard.

5. Keep your spouse involved in your life.

6. Remember you are wearing a uniform of the United States of America.



Copyright Brigham Young University 30 Mar 2003