Commentaries

Leadership with "Purity of Purpose"
April 17, 2009 — I have a theory about cats that I like to relay to all of my young officer friends and senior NCOs: Basically, there are three kinds of cats. First, are the cats that never catch mice. Second, are the cats that do catch mice, but they make sure master knows every time they do, eagerly bringing their prize latched in their jaws even to the dinner... MORE

It's Often the Little Things
April 10, 2009 — Often in "From The Top," we write about large concepts like Integrity, Service, and Excellence. While these are important, and serve as the foundation for our service's core values, it is often the little things we do that truly define us as professionals. Recently Col. Clair Gilk wrote in this column about common courtesy and its contagious... MORE

Paying attention to detail: It's the small things that count
April 3, 2009 — Everybody remembers the "big event", whether good or bad - the touchdown pass to win the game, the 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the national championship, the perfect landing in the Hudson River that saved 155 lives, or the fighter that dropped the perfect ordnance and rid the world of some bad guy someplace. We also recall the pictures from Abu... MORE

Let's make common courtesy common again
March 27, 2009 — The 316th Wing is making great strides in meeting our wing goals of evident pride in ourselves, our wing and our base, presidential respect and support from each all Team Andrews members and their families, and having Airmen fit to fight and win across all spectrums.We have spent much of the last nine months working on improving the pride we have... MORE

Serving others while enjoying our service – a team sport
March 20, 2009 — As units across the base recognize their annual award recipients, we are offered the opportunity to stop and reflect on the tremendous service that these individuals provide to Team Andrews, the Air Force and the United States. By having the opportunity to travel throughout the National Capital Region and the Air Force worldwide, I am repeatedly... MORE

A self-fulfilling prophecy
March 12, 2009 — "Shootin' at the walls of heartache, bang bang, I am the warrior ... and heart to heart you'll win, if you survive." I was listening to this song, "The Warrior" by Scandal, featuring Patti Smyth, on my MP3 player the other day as I was working out. This helped motivate me, because I got to thinking about what I have been through for the past... MORE

Are You a Warrior?
March 6, 2009 — A warrior you say? Just because we don't all shoot guns at bad guys or drop bombs on targets does not mean we aren't warriors. Webster's Dictionary defines warrior as "a person engaged or experienced in warfare." In our military today, you volunteer to serve, and you all have chosen to be warriors! In addition to preparing to defend against more... MORE

A Message to my Airmen: Pride Always
March 6, 2009 — Recently, I was given the opportunity to put my "universal management" badge (otherwise known as a pilot) to the test to lead a very public organization whose mission affects an entire base. Let me say, that at the least, this is an honor and a pleasure for me personally.Working outside of one's career field is a challenge, and you are not always... MORE

Why are you part of the ‘blue’?
March 6, 2009 — Have you ever asked yourself, "Why am I in the military and what keeps me here?" Our squadron secretary has strong ties to the military as the widow of a Naval officer, as well as more than 24 years of government service. When she recently informed me it was time for her to retire, I asked her to look back on her career and offer her perspective of... MORE

Leave it better than when you got here
February 18, 2009 — As a commander, I think the best advice I can share is a message my parents instilled in me as a young boy, one that is lived out by some of my most respected mentors, "Leave it better than when you got here." Now, it may seem like that it is a pretty broad statement, but there is much more to it than meets the eye. If you are wondering what to... MORE