Commentaries

Chocoholics: Take heart this Valentine's Day
February 16, 2010 — Editor's note: Information found in this article is collaborated from HealthNewsDigest.com, WebMD.com and about.com. The Air Force in no way sponsors or supports the opinions, views and positions of these organizations. The content found herein is for informational purposes only. The military prioritizes good health - after all, we have modern... MORE

Who is your family?
February 5, 2010 — Who is your family? A common answer would be your parents, spouse, children and others who share a common ancestry. That answer is accurate, but I believe it is limiting. My preferred definition expands "family" to include those with whom I share a solemn bond and common purpose. By that definition, all of those who answer to the title of Airman... MORE

Are you prepared to weather the storm?
January 29, 2010 — We are now in February and by now you have either kept your New Year's resolution or you have already dropped it; let's hope you have kept your promise. It is difficult to stay focused on resolutions, such as saving money, enrolling in a higher education program, or starting a new fitness program. We always seem to encounter challenges and... MORE

A story of hope in Haiti
January 29, 2010 — In the aftermath of Haiti's devastating earthquake, a hopeful story emerged from the ravaged country. The story involves two heroic sisters, government officials and politicians, medical crews and the U.S. military.The two American sisters, Jamie McMutrie and her younger sister, Allison, had been volunteering for years at one of Haiti's orphanages... MORE

Shadowing the base commander
January 26, 2010 — I work as a 316th Force Support Squadron lodging guest service representative, but on Jan. 13, I shadowed Col. Steven Shepro, 316th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander for a day.Our day started at 6:30 a.m. with CrossFit in the Tactical Fitness Center. Eventhough, I'm not a stranger to the many workout routines, every CrossFit workout is challenging... MORE

Visit an Air Force 'memorial'
January 26, 2010 — I recently attended the "Stars and Bars" gala, where 78 lieutenants and captains gathered with generals to learn from their experiences.The evening's main speaker, Maj. Gen. Darrell Jones, Air Force District of Washington commander, answered the often asked question, "What do I need to do to be successful?" The general's answer was to visit an Air... MORE

Leaving a Legacy
January 26, 2010 — To be effective leaders, we should set standards that will help us in making moral decisions and imparting the necessary tools for leaving a legacy to our future Airmen.Inherent in our military culture are core values. Let's look at them as if looking at the structure of a house: When building a house, you must have a solid foundation. The first... MORE

Even in a war zone, life can bloom
January 15, 2010 — It was my first deployment as a military rabbi to Afghanistan, outwardly to celebrate Hanukkah with other Jewish personnel. Yet, despite the joyous holiday celebration, my most vivid memories center on other experiences at Bagram Air Base. I'd like to share some of these memories with you.Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles -- I had never seen... MORE

Ways to keep a resolution
January 8, 2010 — According to some recent news articles, 40 to 45 percent of Americans make at least one New Year's resolution. And, apparently, most of us make it to Valentine's Day before giving up. Fortunately for Joint Base Andrews, we have year-round services at our disposal to make most of our resolutions a reality. Let's take a look at what USA.gov listed as... MORE

Turning the Corner
December 18, 2009 — We celebrate another holiday season - already - and reflect on the end of a year and a decade. It has been a time of war and adversity, but it has brought out the best, strongest and bravest side of our military community. Moreover, Andrews looks back on a remarkable year - after determined pursuit of increased pride, teamwork and fitness, it is... MORE