Of the many lessons I learned, I think one that has served me well was the constant emphasis on safety. I spent many years in aviation and we were constantly reminded of safety because of the potential for a catastrophic accident. Things like seatbelts, personal protective gear like safety glasses and ear plugs are second nature to me and more importantly my kids.

I think another valuable lesson was financial responsibility. As a young lieutenant, my commander put the fear of God into us about keeping your finances in order. That has served me and my family well over the years.