Opportunity sometimes requires sacrifice

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  It is possible that when you hear the familiar knock-knock-knock at the door, Ed McMahon will be standing there holding a giant check.

But life usually isn't that easy. It's much more likely that when opportunity knocks at your door, there will be a price to be paid.

That was the dilemma faced by Eric Dilworth.

He had been presented with this great opportunity. It was the chance to lead one of the largest personnel offices in the Air Force. It was the chance to service a very diverse population or military, civilians and contractor with a large set of career fields and specialties. It was the chance to work with several command echelons - Major Command, Center, Air Base Wing and several tenet organizations. It was the kind of challenge that a person who worked his way up in the personnel career field would dream about.

But he would have to move to get it.

"It was a rare opportunity and the challenge was too enticing to pass up," said Mr. Dilworth. "I haven't regretted it for a minute."

Faced with a big decision like this, Mr. Dilworth approached it as many would. He listed items that would need to be resolved and then did some home work.

First, his wife was also a civil servant. She would need to find employment too.

"With all of the job opportunities at Wright-Patt, we felt there was a good chance she would find something and she did. At first she worked with a contractor and then moved back into the federal system when a job opened up," he said.

"My daughter was in a great school in San Antonio and I wanted to ensure she could get in a school that was equally as good here in Ohio," said Mr. Dilworth. "Fortunately, there were several affordable places to live here that have great schools."

Looking down the road, Mr. Dilworth was happy to find several nearby colleges and universities that offer the added benefit of attending school while paying lower in-state tuition rates. Plus, he said, it would allow her to go off to school, but hopefully not too far away from Mom and Dad.

Speaking of not traveling too far, the daily commute was another factor that came up for consideration.

"There just isn't any traffic here," said Mr. Dilworth. "I live about 20 miles from the base and I can make it to work from door-to-door in about 25 minutes. And it is so relaxing not to have to face that morning traffic."

Going from a major metropolitan area did seem like a disadvantage at first, he said.

"I had been to Wright-Patt several times on TDY, but I never got to know the area," Mr. Dilworth said. "I didn't realize you could be in Atlanta in 8 hours or on the East Coast in roughly the same time. That there were three airports within an hour's drive that gives flexibility in terms of air fare. Or that it was so close to Cincinnati, where there are professional baseball and football teams. It is all a big plus."

Of course weighing all the factors, invariably leads to weather. Not necessarily a big plus for the Miami Valley.

"It does get cold, but not too cold for this Mississippi native," he said. "Besides, I like that it doesn't get too hot during the summer and that you have true four seasons. I really like that."

But getting back to the driving factor - the chance to work in really challenging circumstances - Mr. Dilworth is steadfast.

"The job is just as challenging as I hoped it would be," he said. "Add in that there is still room to advance your career here and the world really is at your fingertips."