Commentaries

Commentary Search

13 Jul 2012
First impressions hard to reverse
As members of the United States Air Force we have a duty to uphold a professional image no matter when or where we are and whether we are on or off duty. This includes our personal appearance, conduct and behavior 24/7. No matter where we are or what we are doing, someone is watching, and we are making an impression either good or bad. This is why
29 Jun 2012
3-M concept of leadership serves chief well
Whenever I am asked about my leadership methods, I always say, "I apply my Three-M concept: mentor, motivate and monitor."Most people will discover at one time or another they have been in a leadership role, whether as a sibling, parent, boss, coach or sometimes as a team member. Realizing the profound impact one person can have in other people's
22 Jun 2012
Make current job best so far in Air Force
I have the best job in the Air Force, and I've had it 14 times in my career.Soon to be 15, as a matter of fact. That's because I'm a firm believer that you make your own success and opportunities, and that you make every assignment, every job, the best it can be. Hard work and a positive attitude can make a good experience better, and can even
15 Jun 2012
56th CONS civilian salutes military father’s lessons
When I was a senior in high school, my father served as the Hill Air Force Base commander.Understandably, the unwelcomed public scrutiny of a teenager's life that occurs when your father is the base commander naturally created tension at times. As my father approaches his 80th birthday though, my reflection on that period provides a greater
8 Jun 2012
Like Boy Scouts, be prepared
The Air Force does a great job in preparing Airmen when a deployment tasking comes down. Our members perform weapons qualification, ancillary training and even enact wills and powers-of-attorney for family members. The irony of this issue is that we do this to get ready for a deployment, but many Airmen forget to stay prepared at their home
8 Jun 2012
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 Korean War veterans, and a few Vietnam veterans
1 Jun 2012
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 opinion and may not necessarily be correct for
1 Jun 2012
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 training.I wound up starting off on the wrong foot by
24 May 2012
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 camaraderie extended to my entire family and me.
24 May 2012
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 for motivation. In the end, a leader must rely on