Question of the Day

Wired or Learned?

Sally and I had an interesting discussion, via instant messenger, about “rare breeds.” No we were not talking about horses or any other critters. I made a comment about a buddy of mine, Mongo (that’s his call sign), that I was talking with at the Military Ball that graduated from the Air Force Academy then went on to fly F-16s. It is extremely difficult to get into any military academy let alone graduate and go on to fly fighter jets. The conversation went from there to talking about Danny, Jimmy, and Robert, three of my friends in the Air Force Special Operations Unit in San Antonio. When I was at the base a few weeks back, I recall hearing from Robert and Sam that the washout rate for Special Operations is extremely high. I believe it was for every 100 that enter the program, 90 drop within the first two weeks, and they lose another four to six before the end of the program.

As we continued chatting, Sally made the comment about being a rare breed and posed the question of it being something you are wired with from birth or something you learn? From my personal experiences, I think we are wired that way. In my mind, there are things I felt and knew at my very core that I needed to do. My parents taught me right from wrong; to be kind to people and a great work ethic, but my desire to do whatever it is out there is just there.

When I decided to go to college, I did it for two reasons. No one in my family had ever completed college and received a Bachelors, and I also wanted to be paid for what I know rather than digging a ditch (not that there is anything wrong with digging a ditch) for a living. When I decided to get into Karate after college, I just knew it was what I needed to do. The odds back then were that 1 out of 300 would stay with it all the way to Black Belt. I ended up with 7 Black Belts. I’m not actively teaching or training right now, but it is still a part of me. There is/was something inside of me that just keeps me going that way.

To be a Fighter Jet Pilot is a learned behavior. To be a Combat Controller is a learned behavior. To be a Black Belt is a learned behavior. These are not everyday skills that you run across often. So I pose the questions. What drives some and not others to pursue these unique skills? Do you think the pursuit is wired or learned?

Rodney - Think My Wiring Has A Blown Fuse :)