Commentaries

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

An Emotional Machine; A Guardsman's Struggle
November 10, 2014 — Look sharp, but move fluidly. Be crisp in movement, yet smooth in motion. Appear motionless and do not show any emotion (if you can).This is the delicate balance a Joint Base Andrews Air Force base honor guardsman faces.I didn't know what it meant to be a guardsman for most of my life. I would watch movies and television shows growing up and... MORE