JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Some are born
great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
Born great
“I was actually
named after a soccer player called Jairzinho,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st
Class Jairzinho Burke, 633rd Air Base Wing Judge Advocate paralegal. “He scored
in every world cup game in 1994, which is the year I was born, and it’s
interesting because I play the same position he did (right wing).”
Growing up with
the name Jairzinho, Burke felt a responsibility to live up to that name; he had
to play soccer and had to be known.
“Growing up in
Jamaica is a little bit of everything,” Burke said. “The school system is rough
and its fun; everything is just very, very competitive.”
Burke started
playing cricket and soccer at the age of five but didn’t really show his zeal
for soccer until he reached middle school. Throughout elementary school, children
in Jamaica are introduced to sports, but middle school is where the competitive
scene kicks in with the all-island leagues.
Some achieve
greatness
“When we
practiced our goal wasn’t ‘let’s compete’ our goal was ‘we’re taking the trophy
home,’” Burke said. “If you don’t get 1st, 2nd or 3rd place (in Jamaica) you’re
not getting anything, there is no such thing as a participation medal or let’s
go get ice cream. If you lose, you better work your butt off and try again next
year.”
When he played
soccer in the 15-and-under category, Burke wasn’t as big as the other players
and couldn’t match their skill. However, he was fast and determined to take on
others.
Burke started
to put in extra hours anyway he could, training his body in the gym and
polishing his skills on the field. This lead to the coach telling Burke to
start a game during the quarter finals.
Some have
greatness thrust upon them
“From that day
on, I’ve started on every team I’ve been on,” Burke said. “That just made me
work harder to keep it up, I can’t be less than what I’ve achieved.”
It was
instilled in Burke from a young age, you play to win and learn from failure so
you can win next time. A passion and drive for excellence that would lead him
to what he now calls home.
With the
Airman’s creed and squadron mottos at basic military training such as “Second
to none, come get some,” by the 322nd Training squadron and “Wolfpack, lead the
way,” by the 331st TRS, Burke gravitated to the Air Force.
“Any team I go
to I want them to be better than me because I know that at the end of it I’m
going to be accomplished,” Burke said. “Anything I can use to motivate me to be
better, like friendly competition, I welcome it.”
As part of the
JBLE Soccer Club, Burke has had the opportunity to lead as a captain, help
people train to make the team and surround himself by others, who just like him
want to be the best.
Called to be a
wingman, a leader and a warrior in a culture of integrity, excellence and
service before self, Burke pushes forward to be the best.
“The
competition drives me, if there is no competition, then honestly I’m not motivated,”
Burke said. “I want to keep going further than the Air Force level, I want to
go to the All Armed Forces to encounter more competition and the next
challenge.”