COMMENTARY SEARCH

  • Culture trumps strategy any day

    With more than 24 years in the military, I have come to realize the old adage, "Culture will eat strategy for lunch every day of the week" is a true statement, and we as Airmen have a responsibility to cultivate an inspiring and healthy workplace culture. Every organization has a culture. Some are

  • Be successful no matter where you are

    It's human nature to be competitive, and with the Air Force having to make tough decisions during force shaping, no one can afford not to be competitive. In order to be competitive in the Air Force, it will take a whole-person concept, which has been around for years and consists of work ethic,

  • ‘Burn the boats’

    Though I have read a little about history and a little more about business and leadership, the first time I heard the expression, "Burn the boats," was just a few weeks ago. It prompted me to look into this theory a little further. The phrase is most attributed to Spanish Conquistador Hernando

  • Mentorship builds better Airmen at all levels

    Mentorship is an important topic that comes with many views and questions, such as, "Why is mentorship important?" "Why do we need mentorship?" and "What are the causes and effects of mentorship?" Here are my personal views on why mentorship is important. First, I would like to specify that every

  • First-time motorcycle experience long time coming

    I was in my sophomore year of high school and was about to cross the street to the school's main courtyard when I heard a loud low vroom. I looked over and there it was - a blue Yamaha R6. It was as if everything went into slow motion and what I noticed, just as pronounced as the bike, was its

  • CCRI wraps up today

    The inspectors from the Defense Information Systems Agency arrived Monday to test the Thunderbolt cyber rigor. It's the day our Command Cyber Readiness Inspection began. Many of you may have heard the phrase "CCRI," but may not understand what it is. Think it's just a "Communications Squadron"

  • Time management key takeaway

    My family and friends ask me all the time, "What are have you taken away from your Air Force experience thus far?" This question typically brings to mind many things, but I give them the usual, "I have learned how to be more responsible and independent." If there is one solitary thing I have pulled

  • Drawdowns make communication vital

    In 1991, I departed Saudi Arabia post Operation Desert Storm. At the time I couldn't imagine the day I would return to King Abdul Aziz Airport in Dhahran, also known as the "Kingdom," but 23 years later I have returned. From the control tower here, I could look out over the massive equipment yards

  • Find answer, don’t pass buck

    What do you do when your subordinate asks you a challenging question? The question could be about anything such as career progression advice, educational advancement, family emergencies or Air Force instruction clarification. How do you respond to your subordinate? Do you quickly pass the buck and

  • Life of single Airman full of opportunities

    Many of the programs and talking points of our Air Force leaders center on taking care of families. Making sure our military dependents are taken care of is crucial for leaders at every level. However, with the ever-present emphasis on family first, many single Airmen find themselves asking, "Where