COMMENTARY SEARCH

  • History in flesh better than reading about it

    Recently, I had the unprecedented opportunity to spend an evening socializing with veterans and family members whose life experiences spanned nine decades. The social brought together an Auschwitz and Holocaust survivor, a D-Day and concentration camp liberator, a Pearl Harbor survivor, a couple of

  • Newcomers train from get-go

    I have the great honor and privilege of commanding the 56th Maintenance Operations Squadron, aka Team Roadrunner -- "beep beep!" Over the last 24 years I have learned a thing or two that I usually share with my new squadron teammates at our monthly newcomers' orientation. Now, these items are my

  • From recorder to rifle and back

    About three and a half months ago my supervisor came to me to say I was going to be a 56th Security Forces Squadron augmentee.Augmentees are Airmen from different base units who serve 90 days at the SFS to help during deployment shortages. I worked four-days on, with three days off and a day of

  • Thank you, Thunderbolts

    Greetings Team Luke!Wow, what can I say, time flies when you're having fun ... this has been a superb ride. Unfortunately for me, I am at the end of a phenomenal tour having to leave a magnificent community. As we depart, I just want to say "thanks" to all for your acceptance, support, teamwork and

  • Lessons in leadership

    As leaders we are often faced with the dilemma of how to get the most out of our folks. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, there are a few basic human motivations that we all need satisfied. Among those are esteem and self-actualization. Since everyone is different, so is each of our triggers

  • It’s your career…take care of it

    There once was a time where you could safely assume that if you did a decent job and stayed out of trouble you could carry your career out until 20 years or more and retire. If you had a few bumps in the road or slowly progressed through the ranks, no worries, your retirement was all but guaranteed.

  • Know how to manage your money

    I was listening to the radio the other day and heard a staggering statistic: 78 percent of all NFL players are in some sort of financial distress three years after leaving the NFL. While divorce was cited as the most common cause, "basic financial irresponsibility" played a large factor. While I

  • Mentorship, our responsibility

    Gen. T. Michael Mosley, former chief of staff of the Air Force, introduced in 2007 the new Airman's Creed that Airmen proudly recite at promotion ceremonies, professional development graduations and other Air Force events. The Airman's Creed is a reminder of our great heritage that we continue to

  • NCO squanders six-figure nest egg

    It sounds almost unbelievable, and I hope the headline grabs your attention, but unfortunately it is true. I, and many of my fellow squadron commanders, have had the responsibility of informing NCOs that not only would they be out of work, but they have also lost the opportunity to collect a

  • What company do you keep?

    "I didn't get here on my own."It is a common statement that Airmen hear at nearly every promotion ceremony. Many people helped them along the way. These include supervisors, mentors and family members. The bonds they form with other Airmen are unique to military life. We have more than just coworker