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COMMENTARIES

  • Communication: the key to a good weekend

    "Flexibility is the key to airpower""Fly, Fight, Win""Mission First, People Always" Organizations in general love their slogans. They are meant to provide identity, rally support and provide a vision for the future. And yet I've never seen an effective slogan about the power of communication when

  • An ‘O-flight’ to remember

    The alarm goes off; it's 2:30 a.m. Memories of the old days working in medical evacuation flash by. Soon I realize I'm awake because of my new mission - teaching the next generation. Today I get to take 40 of my Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. cadets on a KC-10 Extender orientation flight at

  • Kandahar deployment a great learning experience

    At the beginning of my deployment, I did not know what to expect. I knew there would be challenges deploying with the Army and Navy, and we would have to work together in order to succeed. There were many aspects of uncertainty, but the intense training I would have to endure was certain.I did not

  • Can you answer these questions?

    Would you consider yourself a great leader? Does your leadership style come naturally or are you still trying to develop it through personal experiences? There are a few schools of thought that insist leadership is purely genetic and only a few select have the potential to be great leaders. My hats

  • A dose of perspective

    Most of us will never know the extent of the pain, frustration and challenges Staff Sgt. Brian Williams and other wounded American military personnel face. Every wounded warrior's injuries are unique, and unfortunately, Brian suffered more than just the loss of his left leg to an improvised

  • Thunderbirds photographer 'pays it forward' to young Airman

    "In all that I do, I try and pay it forward," said Staff Sgt. Larry Reid Jr., U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds photographer. Reid is one of only two photographers assigned to the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds.The Thunderbirds are a team that "is an inspired, unstoppable

  • Take the time to enjoy your marriage

    It's been more than eight months since my wife and I went out on a date. A recent deployment to Iraq, daily work crises and the school work and extracurricular activities between our five children constantly put fresh demands on our time. Like many couples, we spend so much time dealing with our

  • Now is the time to give back

    Have you ever received a military discount when you made a purchase? Or have you received a free meal from a local establishment on Memorial Day or Veterans Day? Well here's your chance to return the favor by helping your local or national community. By now most of you have probably received some

  • Where is your focus?

    As I thought about writing this Diamond Tip while sitting in my office in Southwest Asia, it occurred to me there would be no better time to talk about focus. Being in a deployed environment helps us remember what it is that we really do in the military; what is really important. Often at home

  • Scott duo set out to lead Calif. Run for the Fallen

    Did you know that if you are currently serving in the military, your moms and dads are called Blue Star Parents? Many Blue Star families hang a service banner in their home window signifying the number of children that are serving in the military by the number of blue stars on the banner. However,