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Keep On Pushing: Inspiration and Motivation from Jamaica to Global Strike

  • Published
  • By Joseph Murray
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  As the group of Junior Reserve Officer Training cadets looked on, Devon Harris, Jamaican bobsled Olympian and inspiration for the Disney film "Cool Runnings," described the long path he had taken to Olympic fame.

A child of a violent shanty town in Olympic Park, Jamaica, Harris grew up amongst stagnation and poverty. From the midst of this environment he could look up to see the mansions of the wealthy that dotted the hills and loomed over his neighborhood. Where his friends saw only the unfairness of life, he saw the opportunities of what life could offer.

"If you get in the habit of not quitting," Harris said, "eventually you will get to the point where you don't know how to quit."

Harris worked hard in school while his friends were dropping out and giving up. After high school, he received a commission in the Jamaican military. Within 18 months of his high school graduation, he was further selected to attend Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, one of the oldest and most prestigious military academies in the world.

When the idea of a Jamaican Bobsled team was proposed, it was Harris's commanding officer who suggested he try out for the opportunity being offered. Out of 30 original candidates, only nine made it through the initial training, and of those candidates Harris was the number one selection.

When the team arrived at the Olympics, they were told to go home, that they weren't good enough to compete and that they had no right to be there. In spite of this withering abuse the team stayed and competed. Harris himself competed in three Winter Olympics and was not deterred by the naysaying.

Harris sums up one source of his motivation by saying, "If you want me to get something done, just tell me I can't do it."

Harris is traveling with the American 300 "Never Quit" series to speak to Airmen and their families in small group settings. At the heart of the American300 "Never Quit" tour program is the idea of taking stories from all walks of life to Airmen to keep them inspired in the tough duty they have to do. Airmen get the opportunity to meet and interact with athletes, veterans and others who have triumphed over serious adversities. These guests offer suggested coping mechanisms to meet life's challenges while promoting the idea of resiliency and mental toughness. The intent is to create a forum between resilient individuals and Airmen in hopes that different perspectives provide food for thought of how to overcome challenges or adversity.

While the speakers have their own stories to share, the Airmen themselves shared some of the positive effects the visit had on them.

As a result of the forum, Staff Sgt. Sean Davis felt inspired to go home and do something. He is still undecided how he will improve himself, but said he wanted "to go and do something -- anything will be better than sitting at home watching TV."

Harris inspired others as well.

Airman Thomas Neubert has committed himself to work harder as an Airman and bring a more positive attitude to his work and to the people around him.
Airman 1st Class Melvin Gooden wants to have greater impact by being more positive, improving his productivity at work and re-energizing his life goal to become a neurosurgeon.

PHOTOS from Barksdale AFB can be viewed at: 'American300 Warrior Tours' on Facebook.

For more information on Air Force Global Strike Command visit www.afgsc.af.mil

American300 is a 501c3 all volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the mental strength of our military and civilian service members, their families and the areas of operation they live and serve in around the world. No federal endorsement of sponsors or nonprofit is intended.

For more on American300 visit: www.american300.org

The tour continues Sept. 6-8 at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.