Commentaries

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

Keep your eye on the ball
February 13, 2009 — Have you ever sat and watched a football game where a kicker walked out and calmly kicked the game winning field goal? Perhaps you've witnessed a basketball game where a player stood tall on the free-throw line and knocked down a pressure shot that made the difference between victory and defeat. How is it that these individuals are able to handle... MORE

Where did the time go?
January 16, 2009 — Thirty-five Years! I was amazed when I realized recently that I have served the U.S. Air Force for over 35 years. I have served on Active Duty, in the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve and now I'm in the 113th Wing. For the first 24 years I served in the enlisted corps; in fact, on the day I was commissioned I was a Senior Master Sergeant... MORE

2009 -- A year of Pride
January 11, 2009 — We have just begun a great year for Team Andrews. We will continue to grow, and once again, we will be at the center of history as we bid farewell to the outgoing President, support the inauguration of the new Commander-in-Chief, prepare for our largest-ever Joint Service Open House, and become the first fully operational Air Force-led Phase II... MORE

Take a moment for a day of infamy
December 5, 2008 — Pearl Harbor, "Remember the Alamo," 9-11. These are words or phrases that evoke memorable feelings for those who lived during these events or know of the great sacrifices of the men and women who lived or died during these times in American history. I grew up in a military household and one of the terms I heard discussed was Pearl Harbor. I had no... MORE

Blood, Sweat and Thanks
December 5, 2008 — As we pause during Thanksgiving to count the blessings taken for granted, or moreover give of those blessings to others, there lies a virtue that has always impressed me with its power: gratitude for loss, sacrifice and blood. For it is in hardship where thankfulness can forge greatness of character and possibility in a human soul, or in a nation... MORE

To have proudly served an American President
November 23, 2008 — With the recent election of a new president, the team at Air Force One will have a new commander and presidential pilot. I will relinquish command to Col. Scott Turner PAG deputy group commander. He will become the presidential pilot for President-elect Obama.As President Bush's pilot I have seen history being made from my perch up in the cockpit... MORE

Moral courage at all levels
November 14, 2008 — All Airmen attend leadership courses, seminars, and commander's calls stressing core values and promoting respect and loyalty. An important lesson often filtered out of these discussions is "moral courage", which is simply defined as "doing the right thing" in difficult situations ... regardless of the consequence to you or your career. You may be... MORE

Airmen role models keystone to mission
November 7, 2008 — In his recent From the Top commentary, the 316th Operations Group first sergeant, Master Sgt. Anthony Berman addressed accountability and respect. His statement that accountability and respect save Airmen was spot-on and apropos in today's competitive Air Force environment. While we have a professional responsibility to hold our Airmen accountable... MORE

AFOSI programs promote personnel’s well-being
October 31, 2008 — As the year comes to a close, I had the opportunity to reflect upon what we've done to take care of our people. I pledged from my first day of command to address this critical issue, and since then it has become more than a priority; it has become a principle of our senior leadership. I have traveled to many units over the past couple of years and... MORE

Accountability and respect saves Airmen
October 23, 2008 — Our Air Force is the greatest in the world. It's the greatest because our Air Force invests in its people. We provide education and training that is second to none. It's through PME that we are entrusted with significantly greater responsibilities than that of other countries. However, where much is given much is required. So, as you progress in... MORE

Mentoring is Tough Work
October 16, 2008 — "I don't mind being called tough, because in this racket, it's tough guys who lead the survivors." -- General Curtis E. LeMay "On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory." -- General Douglas MacArthur Great words from two of our greatest leaders. From them, it is clear... MORE

The Stuff Legends Are Made Of
October 9, 2008 — As a young Airman, my first duty station was Yokota AB, Japan. Awesome place ... awesome food ... awesome time! However, the first few months of my assignment seemed to be focused more on the latter - the awesome time. You know how it is, young Airman, first time away from home and in a foreign land. I wanted to experience all that Japan had to... MORE

Service Before Self
October 2, 2008 — Mortar and rocket explosions, heavy machine gun fire, never-ending helicopter activity, aircraft taking off and landing 24 hours a day ... these are just a few of the things I experienced during my short, four and a half month deployment to Iraq. I wasn't tasked to go, but looking back now, almost six months after my return to Andrews, I'm grateful... MORE

Andrews Symbolizes Freedom, Democracy
September 25, 2008 — While in command of the 316th Mission Support Group over these past 17 months, I am constantly reminded of how dynamic, vibrant and essential our installation is. This Air Force base, above all others, symbolizes to the world the power and might of the United States and the freedom and democracy our country represents. Home base to the President... MORE

The most important training you will ever receive
September 18, 2008 — Training is a topic that brings out mixed emotions for many. We all understand the importance of training as we fight and the desire to stay on the cutting edge. However, the list of annual training requirements is robust for most jobs. As a commander, I would be the first to admit that all training is not created equal. Some is clearly more... MORE

Taking care of our dorm residents
September 12, 2008 — One of the most exciting and anticipated expectations in a young Airman's career is living in the dormitories. It's this first encounter outside of basic training and technical school where Airmen get to truly have their own room and privacy! With our current economy, especially with gas prices as high as they are, living in the dorm is the best... MORE

Unforgettable mentoring
August 22, 2008 — I spent some time as an instructor pilot at Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, Miss. For those of you who have never spent time in northern Mississippi, there are many days where the low ceilings and heavy rain makes you wonder why the Air Force would ever put a pilot training base in that region. It was during one of these days when one... MORE

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