Commentaries

Air Force Smart Operations, A Journey of Excellence
July 16, 2008 — Having served in our wonderful Air Force for quite a while, I realize "smart operations" are not new buzzwords, but a system that can transform an entire enterprise. It is about intelligent changes in how we think and operate in times of rapid transformation, resulting in an environment where Airmen aspire to improve daily operations by eliminating... MORE

'Disipline is the soul of an Army'
July 11, 2008 — Then-Colonel George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of Virginia Forces, said "Discipline is the soul of an Army." This piece of wisdom is as true today as it was in 1757. In order to establish discipline, commanders and leaders must cultivate an environment of respect so that their subordinates have confidence in them. The guidance for enforcement... MORE

Transforming Andrews’ Landscape
July 3, 2008 — It seems everywhere you look on Andrews lately, something is under construction, major renovation, or extensive repair. In concert with several other agencies on base, on May 28, we provided the installation's combined leadership a comprehensive update on the major facility and infrastructure projects going on around the base. While the prospect of... MORE

What bonds us?
June 30, 2008 — I am constantly amazed at the character of our military people who secure our nation's liberties. As an Individual Mobility Augmentee, people often ask "When are you going back to your civilian job?" and the first thing I ask myself is why would I want to leave a job where I can be around great Americans? What is it about our military personnel and... MORE

The Hard Right
June 12, 2008 — Jane is traveling 63 m.p.h. in a 55 m.p.h. zone when she is pulled over by a patrolman. She: a. scolds him for not going after real criminals. b. ekes out a few tears and tells him she is on her way to the hospital to visit a dying relative. c. says, "You know, you're right. I was speeding." Dave spots a wallet full of cash on the ground in the... MORE

It's been an honor
June 2, 2008 — To the men and women of Team Andrews, I have come to a crossroad in my career where I must move on to another assignment. I want to pause to reminisce on the accomplishments of Team Andrews during this period. Shortly after I arrived to Andrews, I challenged each of us to sync our goals with the Chief of Staff of the Air Force's top 3 priorities,... MORE

Thanks to Team Andrews
May 27, 2008 — Andrews is a place like no other. It is very hard to sit back and relish the amazing success of this past weekend. As we closed the gates to the public and marshaled them off the installation, Team Andrews was working at a feverish pace to bring the airfield back into "normal" operations and it didn't stop there. That very night, we had security... MORE

The road less traveled
May 12, 2008 — At the end of his poem "The Road Not Taken" the American poet Robert Frost exhorts us to break away from the herd with the oft quoted lines: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. There has been a lot of discussion recently about creative thinking and finding innovative solutions... MORE

Job well done, Team Andrews
April 25, 2008 — One week ago today as we said goodbye to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, we closed another chapter in Andrews Air Force Base history. I would like to personally thank each one of you for your support and efforts during this significant and truly successful event. While His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's ceremonial arrival and departure were both... MORE

Leadership lessons ... Just look around
April 25, 2008 — I thought I would be awed and humbled by Air Force One and our mission, the prospect of airlifting the President of the United States on time, every time, without fail. Doing so in a 231-foot aircraft that is spotless to the last inch inside and out, with hundreds of complex systems all working to perfection - and being responsible for it - should... MORE