Commentaries

Feds feed families
June 13, 2011 — One of the best things about living and working in the National Capital Region is having the opportunity to give back to the communities that support us. One way we can do this is by participating in the annual Feds Feed Families campaign. This campaign collects non-perishable food and other items, and distributes them to food banks in the NCR. The... MORE

Capital Food Bank coordinator and blogger Molly McGlinchy demonstrates bags filled with donated goods which feed senior citizens throughout the National Capital Region. This year the Department of Defense is expected to collect over 700,000 pounds in donated hygiene products and non-perishable food items for the 2011 Feds Feed Families campaign. Of that total, the Air Force District of Washington has set the goal of 20,000 lbs, or 100 of the boxes labeled "Capital Foodbank" which will be increasingly available throughout Joint Base Andrews in the coming weeks. This year's campaign began June 1 and ends Aug. 31.(USAF Photo Illustration by Doileen Dolo and Benjamin Newell)

Make it a monumental weekend
June 8, 2011 — Unlike some military installations that are hours from the nearest metropolitan area, Joint Base Andrews is only a short drive or Metro ride from some of the most iconic tourist attractions, historic sites, best cuisine, and fun nightlife spots the region has to offer.Whether traveling alone, with friends or family, there are a host of things that... MORE

The sun sets behind the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. June 5.

From the top - "It’s Game Time"
June 6, 2011 — When this article hits stands and cyberspace on Friday, we will have already bedded down the 12 advance members of an approximately 130-strong Inspector General team, technically sent here to evaluate the compliance of the Air Force District of Washington, 11th Wing, 844th Communications Group, and elements of the 79th Medical Wing. In reality,... MORE

Chief's Corner - Pressure, can you handle it?
June 1, 2011 — I've heard it said pressure can create diamonds or cause pipes to rupture. The end result is based on how you deal with what is challenging your peace of mind. Those of us who work in the 11th Wing and the Air Force District of Washington will be having our compliance inspection, and for some it is a source of stress. Yet, I submit to you, there is... MORE

11th Wing/ Joint Base Andrews command chief master sergeant

From the Top - Resiliency...What I Learned from Elasti-Girl
May 18, 2011 — I loved the movie "The Incredibles." It was a classic good-versus-evil, values-based film. I particularly liked the character Elasti-Girl. A super flexible and dedicated spouse, Elasti-Girl is also a mother of three feisty children. She could change the size and shape of her body at will, save her husband and children from evil, fly a jet, and get... MORE

Chief's Corner - "La Forza del Destino" ( The force of destiny)
May 12, 2011 — In life, we all have a destiny and each of us are directly responsible for charting our own course and determining our own fate. By our actions, we either float or sink, more fittingly, fly or crash. Fortunately, throughout my entire Air Force career, I have found more often than not, that my destiny has been to soar through the support of team... MORE

From the Top - National Police Week, Remembering the Sacrifice!
May 9, 2011 — Each year during Police Week, communities across the United States hold a memorial service in remembrance of police officers who have made the supreme sacrifice for their communities. Also during this week, police departments hold open houses, conduct tours of their facilities, and hold community activities to celebrate police officers and their... MORE

Chief's Corner - Why Support a Professional Organization?
May 9, 2011 — We have all been solicited by one professional organization or another at some point in our career. In fact, many of you have been encouraged to join a professional organization after hearing the sales pitch from the "Billy Mays" of that particular organization. There are some of you who have been tempted to join but have not followed through and... MORE

"Diamond Compliance Corner" - week of May 6 - May 13
May 5, 2011 — In accordance with AFI 36-3014, enlisted personnel are authorized to receive a supplementary clothing allowance to purchase maternity uniforms. This allowance can only be authorized once every three years if the need exists. There is no set time frame when pregnant members are authorized to wear these items, but members should be comfortable and... MORE

Don't lose the 'blue'
April 28, 2011 — I found myself in among a mix of 15 or so volunteer junior enlisted members of Joint Base Andrews recently at an Airmen's Professional Development Course. Regardless of how they got there, every single Airman in the room was challenged that day when the 11th Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant Anthony Brinkley came to brief us. "You know what I want... MORE