Commentaries

Of Dukes, Dodges and Resiliency
January 26, 2012 — Sometimes I feel like a character from the 80's TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard." A devilishly-handsome, Dodge-driving victim of circumstance and bad luck who, through no fault of my own, keeps getting thrown into unbelievable predicaments where there seems to be no escape. The Boss Hoggs, Roscoes and random evil-doing strangers always seem to get... MORE

To strengthen force resilience, Air Force civilians and family members, AMC launched Comprehensive Airman Fitness July 1 as a new approach to taking care of oneself and others.

Being Excellent
September 22, 2011 — What does it mean to be excellent? Webster's Dictionary defines it as superior; first-class. As an Airman we hear the term "stellar," associated with Airmen that are excellent. These are the ones that stand out above the rest, and set themselves apart. The rewards for being excellent are innumerable. For example: recognition, honor and a sense of... MORE

Chief's Corner -- Every job is a self portrait
August 15, 2011 — Many of us may have heard the phrase, "Every job is a self-portrait. Autograph your work with excellence." However, have we stopped to consider that the way we accomplish our work on a daily basis, autographs the self portrait of our organizations? Our immediate duty sections, elements, flights, squadrons, groups and wings are representations of... MORE

Essential leadership traits
August 9, 2011 — Over the span of a career, one has the opportunity to hear many leaders speak and provide their philosophy on leadership traits. In some cases, the words or examples they use will resonate with you personally. Which speakers or which leadership ideas resonate with you will be individually dependent, and influenced by your upbringing and own... MORE

Colonel Craig A. Wilcox, 89th Airlift Support Group commander

We're Ready ... Bring on the CI!
August 4, 2011 — Fellow members of the 89th Airlift Wing, our preparations are complete, and we are poised to show the Air Mobility Command Inspector General team arriving Wednesday why "expertise matters" and how our people and programs reflect our motto: "Perfection is the Standard!"I could not be more proud of our SAM FOX team's accomplishments, mission... MORE

Colonel Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, 89th Airlift Wing commander

Leadership - Being a part of something bigger than yourself
July 21, 2011 — Just last week, I attended a Senior NCO Induction Ceremony. The event was held at an upscale hotel downtown, with more than 400 people in attendance, including Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz. It was a premier event, with Air Force District of Washington Command Chief Master Sgt. Battenberg as the guest speaker, and 95 Technical... MORE

Chief's Corner - Team Andrews and Team Resiliency
July 8, 2011 — So you have worked hard ... sacrificed long hours, even given more than a few CI Saturdays and Sundays. Your family and loved ones may have expressed concern that you were not spending enough quality time with them as of late. The huge 2011 Joint Service Open House event sandwiched between Compliance Inspection preparation and the CI itself,... MORE

From the Top - Total Force
July 8, 2011 — The Air Force has experienced a great deal over the past ten years. The numerous contingency and crisis actions around the world requiring Air Force assets and assistance continue to stress the need for airpower, and the Total Force continues to answer the call. With the active component asked to do more and more, the Air Force Reserve component... MORE

Chief's Corner - Helpful reminders during the CI
June 13, 2011 — We have all watched time slip away as we diligently worked to ensure the programs we run are compliant for the on-going inspection. With the Compliance Inspection upon us, there are a couple of things that we should remind ourselves of during this time.Although CI's can be challenging, they should be viewed as a positive experience. Inspections... MORE

Diamond Compliance Corner - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
June 13, 2011 — A popular book title says, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and it's all small stuff." The "small stuff" however, reflects each Airman's respect for Air Force rules no matter how small of importance they may appear to have. At times, it is the "small stuff" that is not done or is overlooked because it seems tedious.Air Force customs and courtesies,... MORE

Feds feed families
June 13, 2011 — One of the best things about living and working in the National Capital Region is having the opportunity to give back to the communities that support us. One way we can do this is by participating in the annual Feds Feed Families campaign. This campaign collects non-perishable food and other items, and distributes them to food banks in the NCR. The... MORE

Capital Food Bank coordinator and blogger Molly McGlinchy demonstrates bags filled with donated goods which feed senior citizens throughout the National Capital Region. This year the Department of Defense is expected to collect over 700,000 pounds in donated hygiene products and non-perishable food items for the 2011 Feds Feed Families campaign. Of that total, the Air Force District of Washington has set the goal of 20,000 lbs, or 100 of the boxes labeled "Capital Foodbank" which will be increasingly available throughout Joint Base Andrews in the coming weeks. This year's campaign began June 1 and ends Aug. 31.(USAF Photo Illustration by Doileen Dolo and Benjamin Newell)

Make it a monumental weekend
June 8, 2011 — Unlike some military installations that are hours from the nearest metropolitan area, Joint Base Andrews is only a short drive or Metro ride from some of the most iconic tourist attractions, historic sites, best cuisine, and fun nightlife spots the region has to offer.Whether traveling alone, with friends or family, there are a host of things that... MORE

The sun sets behind the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. June 5.

From the top - "It’s Game Time"
June 6, 2011 — When this article hits stands and cyberspace on Friday, we will have already bedded down the 12 advance members of an approximately 130-strong Inspector General team, technically sent here to evaluate the compliance of the Air Force District of Washington, 11th Wing, 844th Communications Group, and elements of the 79th Medical Wing. In reality,... MORE

Chief's Corner - Pressure, can you handle it?
June 1, 2011 — I've heard it said pressure can create diamonds or cause pipes to rupture. The end result is based on how you deal with what is challenging your peace of mind. Those of us who work in the 11th Wing and the Air Force District of Washington will be having our compliance inspection, and for some it is a source of stress. Yet, I submit to you, there is... MORE

11th Wing/ Joint Base Andrews command chief master sergeant

From the Top - Resiliency...What I Learned from Elasti-Girl
May 18, 2011 — I loved the movie "The Incredibles." It was a classic good-versus-evil, values-based film. I particularly liked the character Elasti-Girl. A super flexible and dedicated spouse, Elasti-Girl is also a mother of three feisty children. She could change the size and shape of her body at will, save her husband and children from evil, fly a jet, and get... MORE

Chief's Corner - "La Forza del Destino" ( The force of destiny)
May 12, 2011 — In life, we all have a destiny and each of us are directly responsible for charting our own course and determining our own fate. By our actions, we either float or sink, more fittingly, fly or crash. Fortunately, throughout my entire Air Force career, I have found more often than not, that my destiny has been to soar through the support of team... MORE

From the Top - National Police Week, Remembering the Sacrifice!
May 9, 2011 — Each year during Police Week, communities across the United States hold a memorial service in remembrance of police officers who have made the supreme sacrifice for their communities. Also during this week, police departments hold open houses, conduct tours of their facilities, and hold community activities to celebrate police officers and their... MORE

Chief's Corner - Why Support a Professional Organization?
May 9, 2011 — We have all been solicited by one professional organization or another at some point in our career. In fact, many of you have been encouraged to join a professional organization after hearing the sales pitch from the "Billy Mays" of that particular organization. There are some of you who have been tempted to join but have not followed through and... MORE

"Diamond Compliance Corner" - week of May 6 - May 13
May 5, 2011 — In accordance with AFI 36-3014, enlisted personnel are authorized to receive a supplementary clothing allowance to purchase maternity uniforms. This allowance can only be authorized once every three years if the need exists. There is no set time frame when pregnant members are authorized to wear these items, but members should be comfortable and... MORE

Don't lose the 'blue'
April 28, 2011 — I found myself in among a mix of 15 or so volunteer junior enlisted members of Joint Base Andrews recently at an Airmen's Professional Development Course. Regardless of how they got there, every single Airman in the room was challenged that day when the 11th Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant Anthony Brinkley came to brief us. "You know what I want... MORE

This is not a Dry Run
April 28, 2011 — As we maintain an unrivaled defense of America ... it dawned on me that we aren't given second chances to get our mission done right. As American military servicemembers, we have one chance at life and what life holds for us. So, my challenge to you, as well as for myself, is to not function as though our life is a dry run.Those around the world... MORE

From the Top - Who ya wit'?
April 26, 2011 — If you are a member of the 11th Wing you know the response to this question is "Chief's Own". This answer is concise and to the point, but not always understood. When the late Bernie Mac asked "Who ya wit'?" he was asking if you knew the company you were keeping. In that case it was understood you were with the Bernie Mac crew ... and Bernie... MORE

Lt. Col. Kevin Brooks, 11th Force Support Squadron commander

Your Attitude Is Contagious- "Chief's Corner"
April 19, 2011 — If your attitude is contagious, then what are people catching when they come into contact with you? Our outlook and approach to how we come across each day is totally within our control. So this week I want each of us to focus on what type of attitude we project each day.We all need to be mindful about how the attitudes of others can affect us... MORE

From the Top - Leading Transformation During Times of Change
April 18, 2011 — Abraham Lincoln once said, "You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time." As a squadron commander, those words ring true. From joint base initiation, to mission movement execution, to compliance inspection preparation, to budget limitations,... MORE

Lt. Col. Christopher Daniels, 11th Contracting Squadron commander

From the Top - We’re in the Red Zone Now
April 14, 2011 — At the 11th Wing staff meeting this week, I chewed on folks for some basic blocking and tackling kinds of things: OPR/EPR timeliness, delinquent GTC cards, Air Force Assistance Fund participation, and most significantly, Compliance Inspection readiness. My tone and approach apparently caused a bit of a stir. In fact, one of my wingmen came by my... MORE

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