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COMMENTARIES

  • Attention to detail: difference between life, death

    Air Force Military Training Instructors instill the three Air Force core values into every Airman during Basic Military Training: Integrity, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do. The excellence ideal is instilled through countless hours of meticulous clothes folding, drill, cleaning,

  • The right thing to do

    Last week, I took leave to go turkey hunting for the first time in Washington state. I've heard northwestern turkeys were more of a challenge to hunt over the southern/mid-western birds, but I was up for the challenge. However, I must report the score is still zero long beards in the freezer.

  • Galvanize

    It's time for us to galvanize. These are the redundant words of my favorite running tune. The true definition of the word galvanize involves a chemical-electroplating of steel or iron with zinc to make it ultimately corrosion proof.My interpretation is simply to come together to become stronger. On

  • 'Innocent until proven . . .'

    Guilty?We've all seen the media lately - the news stories, the articles, the speeches and even a movie regarding sexual assault in the military. The recent awareness campaign has served to remind us all that sexual assault in the military should not be tolerated.Let me be clear up front, no one is

  • We can really learn from kids

    It wasn't until recently that I learned there is truly something beautiful about being appreciated.In the last six weeks I have been volunteering with Junior Achievement. Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and

  • Leadership starts with why

    I recently had the unique privilege to spend time listening to and talking with Simon Sinek, author of the 2012 Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force's Reading List book, "Start with Why." If you have not heard him speak, read this book, or perhaps watched his technology, entertainment and design

  • Back to nutritional basics

    I was watching a commercial on TV the other day, advertising the virtues of one of those ubiquitous energy drinks. The gist of the commercial was, that the little bottle contained all the micronutrients (in the form of a couple vitamins) and caffeine one needed to fuel your body for several hours.

  • There I was...: Of angels and heroes who kept us safe

    There I was taking my first step off of a C-17, arriving in a foreign land. I felt from that point on that my life would never be the same.I saw, I heard, I ran to and hid what I had grown accustomed to during that temporary life. During most nights as I lay in my bed in my wooden room in Bagram,

  • Airmen taking care of Airmen ... what truly matters!

    Last week, the 437th Airlift Wing experienced the sudden loss of one of our own - Maj. David Diehl passed away Wednesday, April 17. The entire 437th AW and Team Charleston family mourns the loss and shares our deepest sympathies with his wife Nicole and his children, Paige, Luke and Juliet, the rest

  • Leadership recalibration PME style

    If I have learned anything in more than 30 years of life it is how to deal with being wrong. Even with the best intentions, I miss the mark a lot more than I like. The frequent lessons in humility have made me well versed in admitting when I'm wrong. In the case of the NCO Academy I can happily