Commentaries

How Andrews fits into the social media scheme of things
October 21, 2010 — New media is a powerful communication tool that has revolutionized the way people across the globe interact with one another. It is no wonder then, that the U.S. military has recognized its vast potential for connecting and communicating with servicemembers, their families, retirees and the general public. In light of this revolution, Andrews Air... MORE

Lead from Behind
October 1, 2010 — As summer slips away and you start packing away the beach gear, it's a great time to take a good hard look at your organization. While spring may be the best time for cleaning, the fall is a perfect time to focus on organizational preparedness. I'd like to share a couple of thoughts on how to approach improving a unit's ability to consistently... MORE

Seven reasons why I appreciate being Air Force Blue
September 16, 2010 — This year it seems all my peers are retiring. They keep telling me how great it is to finally "punch out." It has me reflecting on my journey in the Air Force and I've got to say, I love being an Airman. I can give you at least seven reasons why I appreciate being Air Force Blue. 7. Family. I can't imagine any other career in the world that... MORE

Keep the Dinner Hour Sacred
September 10, 2010 — I just attended my daughter's college freshman orientation for parents and students. As we finished our last day and I was bidding my daughter farewell, it dawned on me that I have only known her for eighteen years. At first blush, that would seem to be a long time, but if you really think about it, it is really just a short timeframe when you... MORE

Safety Principles, Written in Blood
August 27, 2010 — The tragic loss of a Defender this week in a motorcycle accident, along with slight upticks of other sports and recreation-related injuries, remind us of the need to maintain safety vigilance. While only two weeks remain of the "101 critical days of summer," these two weeks are traditionally the period when we have the most safety incidents. As we... MORE

Attitude vs. Aptitude
August 6, 2010 — Being a true professional in today's Air Force has less to do with an individual's skill or ability and more to do with having a positive approach to the daily challenges that confront them. There is no doubt that the young men and women volunteering to serve today are more intelligent and technologically savvy than those of a generation ago, but... MORE

Why ownership is important
July 23, 2010 — While preparing to enter a building on Joint Base Andrews, I noticed a gray four-door sedan pull up alongside me. As I approached the vehicle, I heard a fragile voice emanate from an elderly lady asking, "Ma'am, could you please help? My granddaughter just completed a food handler's course and we're looking for someone to return this paperwork... MORE

An opportunity to serve
July 9, 2010 — Recently I had the opportunity to serve overseas and directly support our efforts in the Central Command Area of Responsibility at one of the largest and most active bases in the world. While I have 27 years of service with the Air Force, this was my first chance to deploy for any significant amount of time.So I prepared in advance (as much as... MORE

Leaders building leaders
July 9, 2010 — President Reagan stated during his first Inaugural Address, "We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow". As the Air Force continues its drawdown and we lose the icons who framed our cornerstone of success, we will look for new leaders to take their place. However, the key questions on everyone's minds are: where will they come from and are... MORE

Life is a series of choices
July 1, 2010 — Every young person wants to know, or should want to know, what it takes to meet their goals and truly succeed in life. Tony Dungy, the Super Bowl winning coach and author of two books, "Quiet Strength" and "Uncommon" provides great insight for every person looking for the keys to success. The answer is relatively simple: Life is a series of... MORE

Protecting the Force Is Everyone’s Business
June 25, 2010 — The first Gulf War, military actions in Kosovo, and more recently our fight against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan have proven the importance of air power, and in particular, United States Air Force airpower, as crucial to ensuring the U.S. Armed Forces can protect and defend our nation's interests. More importantly, we are proud members of the... MORE

What is Organizational Pride?
June 18, 2010 — There I was on an airplane with my family waiting for takeoff from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Over the loudspeaker the pilot instructed us to take a look out the airplane window to see a very important sight.There, shining under the hot Chicago sun was Air Force One in its distinct blue and white splendor. The passenger seated next to... MORE

What does it matter?
June 11, 2010 — I don't know about you, but I get tired of the day in, day out grind. It is hard to see things with a new perspective when you can almost predetermine the outcome of your interactions. Each day seems like the last: when you are done processing one aircraft arrival, another comes in; shifts at the gate and lines at the MPF never end; each day brings... MORE

Commander's Vector - June 11
June 11, 2010 — Joining Team Andrews last Friday was one of the proudest moments of my life. A week on the job has only reinforced that pride, as everywhere I turn I see high caliber, motivated people doing their best to accomplish the mission and make Joint Base Andrews better. My hat is off to Brig. Gen. (select) Steve Shepro for his fantastic leadership that... MORE

Making the right choices
June 7, 2010 — Every day we make many decisions that will affect our lives, careers and those of others around us.It might be something as simple as deciding where you are going to eat lunch that day or something more complex like deciding on a new car. Whether it's the right or wrong decision, it can have a positive or negative impact on you and the ones you... MORE

316th Wing commander says farewell and thank you
June 7, 2010 — Today, I join the few and proud ranks of "former 316th Wing commanders" and "former Andrews Air Force Base commanders." Looking back over the last 21 months, I am deeply grateful to have been entrusted with the honor of leading this world-renowned base that serves as ambassador to the world and guarantor of the support and defense of the National... MORE

316th Wing Command Chief says farewell and thanks
June 1, 2010 — Wednesday marked my final day as the 316th Wing Command Chief. During the last couple of weeks leading up to this day I have had several moments of reflection of my time here at Andrews, now Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to serve beside some great Americans, whom I call "America's sons... MORE

The Next “Greatest Generation” – Millennials
June 1, 2010 — "Wired Magazine", February 2010 edition, relays the story. The situation was desperate for the Broncos. On the first Sunday of the NFL's 2009 season, with only 28 seconds left in the game, they trailed the Bengals 7-6 and had the ball on their own 13 yard line. On second down, Broncos quarterback, Kyle Orton, threw the ball downfield, only to see a... MORE

Attitude is a force multiplier … or divider
May 25, 2010 — Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven." Whether serving in a formal or informal leadership position, or working in a subordinate role, there are numerous attributes contributing to your level of success in that position. Job knowledge, energy, selflessness and discipline are just a few. Without... MORE

Fat Albert Airlines: The ride of my life in the belly of the beast
May 25, 2010 — After pounding the pavement on the flightline at Joint Base Andrews as a public affairs specialist escorting media, taking photos and updating new media sites during the three-day 2010 Joint Service Open House, I was ready for anything. People in my office at the 316th Wing hooked me up with a seat on a flight in the mammoth Blue Angels C-130 "Fat... MORE

It could happen to you: Reflections of a Wounded Warrior
May 25, 2010 — Two weeks ago, I had the honor of joining fellow Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines on a rehabilitative bike ride from Washington, D.C., through the streets of Baltimore, from our very own Joint Base Andrews to Annapolis, Md. We finished 104 miles over four days of riding. The ride was meant to instill confidence in the wounded warriors and... MORE

Sedentary lifestyles impact health in adverse ways
May 25, 2010 — Many people are overweight in the United States today and suffer health problems because of this. Fast-paced lifestyles and hectic schedules are a few of the excuses for this predicament. With this issue comes the realization that individuals as well organizations are suffering. The increased workload and doing more with less is taking its toll on... MORE

Building partnerships to emphasize Total Force
May 7, 2010 — In April, when President Barack Obama and 47 international leaders converged upon Washington for a nuclear summit to discuss methods of safe-guarding nuclear materials, it was the largest gathering of Heads of State since 1945 when Franklin D. Roosevelt gathered world leaders to form the United Nations. The president impressed upon the delegation... MORE

Innovation as close as the youngest Airman
April 16, 2010 — Our Air Force was born out of innovation; we now need to reinvigorate that innovative spirit - we need Airmen who continue to press the envelope. Over the course of my career, I have noticed a gradual change within our Air Force -- we don't look within anymore. The reasons leaders and supervisors shy away from the Airman with the great ideas are... MORE

Air National Guard - proud to be members of Team Andrews
April 9, 2010 — On the northeast side of the base sits a large, two-building, four-story complex called the Air National Guard Readiness Center (ANGRC - you've seen it on the signs). What was once a purely militia force (oneweekend a month, two weeks a year) has transformed into an operational component with our own four-star general: the director of the ANG. My... MORE

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