COMMENTARY SEARCH

  • Core values run deep, blue

    What do the Air Force core values mean to you? As we were all taught in basic military training, the core values are integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. However, there is a deeper meaning to our core values than just these three phrases. In accordance with Air Force

  • Recipe for leadership? Be best you can be

    Is there a special recipe for leadership? In today's Air Force we struggle trying to find that special recipe to get our teams to perform at their top levels of efficiency. As technology catapults us into the future and new leadership philosophies develop through the halls of Harvard and Stanford,

  • The future: New territory or repeat of history?

    It is easy to get overwhelmed when listening to the pervasive 24/7 news cycle broadcasting predictions of an uncertain future. Whether it is America's supposed "failure to lead" abroad, continuous fiscal disagreements in Washington D.C., or the Air Force's pending drawdown of 25,000 Airmen, many

  • Airmen held to higher standard

    No matter where you go or what you do you will see standards set for your performance. These standards vary from place to place or job to job. As you may already know, military personnel are held to a higher standard than those outside the military. The Air Force standards range from something as

  • Looking ahead to 2014

    As we turn the page on the calendar and start a new year, I'd like to extend my sincerest thanks to all the Airmen of Team Luke for your hard work, dedication and sacrifice in 2013. Thank you for everything you do to get the mission done each and every day. I consider myself lucky to be part of such

  • A key to leadership development

    As part of our enduring quest to become better Air Force leaders we must always strive to develop ourselves. One way to do this is for each of us to build an accurate assessment of ourselves. Without a keen sense of self-awareness leaders can easily operate in the dark without regard to their

  • Control, plan your future

    As a first sergeant I've learned some valuable lessons from my commanders. One of them is to focus my efforts on the things I can control and to plan ahead taking into consideration the effects of those actions. This is a pretty simple advice to apply. Maximize the amount of effort you exert at

  • Be prepared

    Leading Airmen happens at every level and preparation is the key to success. A couple of weeks ago I watched two Airmen lead the clinic through resiliency training. As I looked at the members of the family health clinic I felt many things. The medics unabashedly participated in the training led by

  • The dirty dollar

    Have you ever glanced down at the ground to see the distinct green of a crisp, clean dollar bill? I am willing to bet if you did, you would have picked it up. The question is if that dollar was crumpled up and dirty, would you have picked it up anyway? Would you have straightened it out, brushed the

  • How do we lead?

    One of my favorite scenes from the movie "Independence Day" was the motivational speech by actor Bill Pullman. My wife pokes fun at me as I stop to watch it every time it comes on. As the president eloquently bellows his closing line, "Today is our Independence Day," the background music builds to a