Commentaries

Compliance vs. Commitment
December 6, 2017 — In an environment that is saturated with crisis management situations, our actions and/or behaviors are driven not only by personal experience but are guided by clearly established institutional standards. In addition to these standards that vector our behavior, we are each shaped by our own personal values; principles that often times carry an immense price tag. These inferences are often times the attributing factor when it comes to our performance and whether we meet, exceed or fail to achieve the desired expectations... MORE

Resiliency: Be there for others and let others be there for you
November 22, 2017 — It was a Tuesday evening. I was viewing on-line music videos with my youngest son, when I got the call. It was the call no parent ever wants to receive. I was notified that my oldest son had collapsed while playing volleyball on his college campus and was being transported to the emergency department near school... MORE

Success and Failure
November 8, 2017 — What is your biggest failure? How did you handle it? Looking back, do you think you handled it well? Because really, the question is not if you are going to fail. It’s how you are going to handle that failure... MORE

Finding balance
October 25, 2017 — JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Throughout my 22 years of serving in the U.S. Air Force I’ve often heard people talk about finding balance between work and personal life. In the beginning, I didn’t fully understand the struggle because I was so focused on being the best Airmen I could be that I didn’t consider I was possibly leaving a void in another... MORE

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