Commentaries

Lead from Behind
October 1, 2010 — As summer slips away and you start packing away the beach gear, it's a great time to take a good hard look at your organization. While spring may be the best time for cleaning, the fall is a perfect time to focus on organizational preparedness. I'd like to share a couple of thoughts on how to approach improving a unit's ability to consistently... MORE

Seven reasons why I appreciate being Air Force Blue
September 16, 2010 — This year it seems all my peers are retiring. They keep telling me how great it is to finally "punch out." It has me reflecting on my journey in the Air Force and I've got to say, I love being an Airman. I can give you at least seven reasons why I appreciate being Air Force Blue. 7. Family. I can't imagine any other career in the world that... MORE

Keep the Dinner Hour Sacred
September 10, 2010 — I just attended my daughter's college freshman orientation for parents and students. As we finished our last day and I was bidding my daughter farewell, it dawned on me that I have only known her for eighteen years. At first blush, that would seem to be a long time, but if you really think about it, it is really just a short timeframe when you... MORE

Safety Principles, Written in Blood
August 27, 2010 — The tragic loss of a Defender this week in a motorcycle accident, along with slight upticks of other sports and recreation-related injuries, remind us of the need to maintain safety vigilance. While only two weeks remain of the "101 critical days of summer," these two weeks are traditionally the period when we have the most safety incidents. As we... MORE

Attitude vs. Aptitude
August 6, 2010 — Being a true professional in today's Air Force has less to do with an individual's skill or ability and more to do with having a positive approach to the daily challenges that confront them. There is no doubt that the young men and women volunteering to serve today are more intelligent and technologically savvy than those of a generation ago, but... MORE

Why ownership is important
July 23, 2010 — While preparing to enter a building on Joint Base Andrews, I noticed a gray four-door sedan pull up alongside me. As I approached the vehicle, I heard a fragile voice emanate from an elderly lady asking, "Ma'am, could you please help? My granddaughter just completed a food handler's course and we're looking for someone to return this paperwork... MORE

An opportunity to serve
July 9, 2010 — Recently I had the opportunity to serve overseas and directly support our efforts in the Central Command Area of Responsibility at one of the largest and most active bases in the world. While I have 27 years of service with the Air Force, this was my first chance to deploy for any significant amount of time.So I prepared in advance (as much as... MORE

Leaders building leaders
July 9, 2010 — President Reagan stated during his first Inaugural Address, "We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow". As the Air Force continues its drawdown and we lose the icons who framed our cornerstone of success, we will look for new leaders to take their place. However, the key questions on everyone's minds are: where will they come from and are... MORE

Life is a series of choices
July 1, 2010 — Every young person wants to know, or should want to know, what it takes to meet their goals and truly succeed in life. Tony Dungy, the Super Bowl winning coach and author of two books, "Quiet Strength" and "Uncommon" provides great insight for every person looking for the keys to success. The answer is relatively simple: Life is a series of... MORE

What is Organizational Pride?
June 18, 2010 — There I was on an airplane with my family waiting for takeoff from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Over the loudspeaker the pilot instructed us to take a look out the airplane window to see a very important sight.There, shining under the hot Chicago sun was Air Force One in its distinct blue and white splendor. The passenger seated next to... MORE