Commentaries

YOU CAN’T SURVIVE IF YOU DON’T GET CHECKED!
October 16, 2017 — It all starts with a mammogram. Don’t wait. Go get yours today. It may be uncomfortable, but it really can save your life!... MORE

Melanie Moore is a cancer survivor who has worked for the Army and Air Force for over 34 years. She reminds everyone to get checked because it could save your life.

Build your brand
October 11, 2017 — JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- A brand is often associated with a product manufactured by a specific company or a service provided by a particular corporation. We all identify corporate brands with superior, average, or poor quality based on our individual preferences and what we value as consumers or customers. Brand loyalty and recognition are... MORE

The leader and the team
September 27, 2017 — It is an expectation, especially in the armed forces. It is something that comes naturally for some, and not quite so easily for others. Individuals can show true ability in big projects or simple tasks. Others may struggle to obtain those same objectives but shine in different areas when given the opportunity. It does not matter the location,... MORE

Communicate and collaborate
September 13, 2017 — Several years ago I was able to spend an afternoon at the Pratt & Whitney headquarters and assembly line in Hartford, Connecticut. Pratt & Whitney is one of three major worldwide advanced engine manufacturers, and they are constantly in stiff competition with Rolls Royce and General Electric. If there is an industry where business is considered a... MORE

INSPIRE your Airmen
August 30, 2017 — Today’s Airmen crave inspiring leadership – they want to be a valued member of the world’s best Air Force, know their contributions make a difference, and follow someone who will make them better. When these Airmen joined the Air Force they envisioned their leaders would be charismatic, passionate and successful – they believed their leaders would... MORE

Combating Burnout
August 16, 2017 — In an effort to improve Airmen and their families’ quality of life, the Air Force has placed an emphasis on addressing work overload that can cause Airmen to burnout or become mentally, physically and emotionally drained. This issue is one of 11th Wing Commander Col. E. John Teichert’s 2017 strategic initiatives. To find a solution, we implemented a supplemental problem solving technique – the Google Ventures sprint process. ... MORE

A Formula for Success: building relationships and your reputation
June 14, 2017 — Relationships and your reputation apply to virtually everything you do and every interaction you have. Your reputation and the relationships you cultivate, make life easier, not harder and can save you precious time, especially when time becomes critical.Ever had to call customer service and just get transferred around? What if you knew someone... MORE

Official photo of Col. Erik C. Coyne (U.S. Air Force photo by 11th Wing Public Affairs)

Comprehensive fitness summer challenge
May 25, 2017 — This weekend, as you honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country, I want you to think about yourselves, the ones you love and your overall health. Let’s make this summer, a summer of resiliency in all the Comprehensive Airman Fitness pillars. Are y’all, as a Texan would say, spiritually, socially,... MORE

Air Force Col. Troy A. Roberts, 11th Security Forces Group commander poses for an official photo.

Why we serve – a common oath
May 12, 2017 — This July, our great Nation will celebrate 241 years of age and The Constitution of the U.S., which lays the foundation and provides the blueprint for our republic, will turn 230 years-old. Over the course of these years, we have become the most powerful nation on the planet and a symbol of freedom for others to aspire. These freedoms we now... MORE

Teamwork in a Crisis
April 11, 2017 — Last week, we faced a major challenge in response to the F-16 incident. While I walked away from the week drained, I also walked away from the week feeling encouraged and proud because of the display of teamwork between Joint Base Andrews, the community, and local authorities. On the day of the incident, both the 11th Wing and the 113th Wing... MORE

In obedience to its call
February 17, 2017 — There are many callings in this life, but none so precious as the honor of leading and serving others, whether it is in our Air Force, in our communities, or in our families. There are many facets of leadership through service, but one core trait stands out as pivotal – humility. In this month of President’s Day and in a year of an inauguration,... MORE

Seven steps to '17
February 2, 2017 — Team JBA, first and foremost, thanks to everyone for what you do every day to push the various “no-fail” missions around this awesome installation! It strikes me that even being a few weeks into the new year, I’m still stumbling across various lists of things we should all try to do to improve our lives in 2017. I figured it might be nice to... MORE

"IPs" for the 21st century Air Force
December 5, 2016 — "IPs", or instructor pilots as they are referred to outside the U.S. Air Force flying world, are the most important mentors pilot-candidates will interact with during their quest to earn "silver wings." Only those pilots who have demonstrated an unequivocal mastery of flight are selected to return or stay on at the school house to shepherd future... MORE

We all serve a critical role in preparing our Airmen to be "combat aviators" as they navigate the evolving stratosphere of our 21st century air, ground, space and cyberspace force. As leaders it is our task to ensure our Air Force is prepped and ready to engage in a spectrum of operations that range from nation building in Afghanistan, civil operations in Africa, and deterrence operations in Iraq. We are immersed in all these missions while simultaneously prosecuting a campaign "in garrison" to abolish waste and improve legacy processes.

Communication is key
November 8, 2016 — Effective communication is probably one of the most important life skills we need, especially in professional relationships... MORE

Effective communication is probably one of the most important life skills we need, especially in professional relationships.

Celebrating diversity in our Air Force
October 27, 2016 — Many of us trace our ancestry and heritage to countries outside the United States and the “melting pot” history of our nation is well-publicized. Often, we forget how the country we know and love today is a direct result of the fusion of different nationalities, ethnicities and cultures during the past 240 years of our nation’s existence. ... MORE

He DESTROYED that commentary!
October 13, 2016 — If you are like me, your social media stream is littered with articles that use words like “destroyed,” “obliterated,” etc., always in capital letters, to entice you to click on that link. This technique is used across the political spectrum, usually by authors who have little to no new or compelling information to offer in their article. I would... MORE

Courtesies to the Flag
October 4, 2016 — Everyone who works, visits and lives on Joint Base Andrews has the opportunity to pay respects to the American flag twice a day as it is raised and lowered. Regulations and courtesy to the flag are topics for continuing education. "All who are on Joint Base Andrews are expected to properly honor our nation and our flag during reveille, retreat, and... MORE

Taking Care of People
September 23, 2016 — Throughout my military career, I have had the honor of meeting several military members' extended family. Many times, these family members would arrive at base due to hospitalizations or other hardships. One thing that continues to catch me by surprise is how shocked the families are at the level of care within our units. The non-military family... MORE

Avoiding tsunamis of malfeasance
August 31, 2016 — In a September 2015 New Republic article, ethicist Edward Queen rails against Volkswagen for its recent “unmistakable malfeasance.” He describes their actions in the following way: “This was an intentionally designed and executed violation of the law in both its letter and its spirit. It also was an ethical violation of the highest level.”... MORE

Command: No Greater Honor
May 26, 2016 — Since commissioning I have desired to lead Airmen. I believe, commanding Airmen is the greatest honor any commissioned officer can achieve. The privilege and honor of being responsible for the successes and failures of American patriots serving something bigger than themselves, in the noblest occupation known to man, is unprecedented.That said, the... MORE

Col. Victor Moncrieffe, 11th Security Forces Group commander

JBA commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 14, 2016 — As a nation, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday on the third Monday in January. In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. This is the only federal holiday that honors a person that is not a president. It is a given that most people have heard or know of Dr. Martin... MORE

Purpose: Examining the Pillars of Fitness
April 10, 2015 — "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." -Friedrich NietzcheA man, wearing a green t-shirt and blue slacks, sits on a crème sofa against yellow walls, the windows behind him peering into the black. The scene is filtered yellow like a 1990's sitcom.The man looks through the local newspaper. He's bored with the brightly-colored meteorology... MORE

"For many people, spirituality is purpose, not necessarily religion." -Capt. Aaron Reynolds, a Joint Base Andrews chaplain. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class J.D. Maidens)

Careful with that morning commute
March 3, 2015 — Imagine crossing a frozen overpass, hearing the ice crackle as you begin to spin out of control. You frantically pump the breaks and crank the steering wheel. But, like death beckoning you, the railing gets closer by the second.Between blurred visions through an icy windshield and panic-induced rushes of adrenaline, you strive to make sense of... MORE

Sweat, high-fives and rock-n-roll
February 24, 2015 — "How many calories do you think is in this?""Have you logged in your work out today?""Man, this one entrée equals 400 burpees!"These were not the quotes I thought I'd hear as I followed the U.S. Air Force premier rock band Max Impact during their trip in support of Super Bowl XLIX. Instead of stereotypical wreckless musicians yelling at the waiting... MORE

U.S. Air Force band, Max Impact members conduct butterfly sit-ups during circuit training at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites gym in Mesa, Ariz., Jan. 31, 2015. The band finds various work-outs between high intensity interval training, circuits, weight lifting and running to maintain their fitness goal to be the fittest U.S. Air Force Band unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

"To the Colors"
November 17, 2014 — Beginning Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 a.m., after the sounding of Reveille, another bugle call will play. This may not be familiar to those who have been assigned to Joint Base Andrews for a while.That bugle call is named "To the Colors," and is sounded to pay honors to our nation, flag and service members who served before us in similar fashion to the... MORE

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