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COMMENTARIES

  • Developing a Professional Airman

    With unique mission challenges as well as a changing world, our Airmen have to be even more prepared to meet military demands. It got me thinking about what is expected of our supervisors in order to develop a new Airman into a true professional ready to meet those future demands. Three things

  • The importance of character in today's leaders

    I've observed many leaders throughout my 26-year career -- some good and some not so good. The good leaders had character, the others didn't.Character encompasses the total features and traits that form the individual nature of a person. We don't get to choose our parents or the circumstances behind

  • Leaders: born or made?

    Let me start by saying that if I had the real answer to this question, I wouldn't look at Powerball winners with envy. I'd be buying countries with "straight cash, homie," as San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss would say.In its rawest form, the only thing required for one to be considered a

  • This Memorial Day remember those who served and make safety a priority

    Each and every day of service you give to our Nation, you are honoring the men and women who have given their lives in defense of freedom. With the Memorial Day weekend upon us, please pause a moment to reflect on those who came before us. Courageous men and women whose selfless devotion secured the

  • Fairchild senior NCO reflects on dignified transfer mission

    I could hear the voice over the two-way radio call out "wheels rolling." That was everyone's cue to get into position...and not move. Everyone was at parade rest waiting for the families to arrive. I was nervous... more nervous than at any point in my military career. My heart was pounding so loud I

  • New pet import rules for European Union and the United Kingdom

    As permanent change of station season starts, it's important to plan ahead for all of your dependents, including the family pet. New rules and regulations have tightened the import of animals into the European Union and the United Kingdom, but the Veterinary Treatment Facility has you covered if you

  • Developing mental toughness

    The Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force has invested millions of dollars and manpower hours into preparing warriors for the stress and mental fatigue of deployment. The Air Force uses a program called Landing Gear to help Airman understand and cope with the mental and physical strains of

  • Eagle Flag: Memoirs of an Airman

    When I was "asked" to participate in the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's semi-annual Eagle Flag exercise, I looked at the opportunity as a paid vacation of sorts. Of course, at the time I had absolutely no clue how truly involved I would become.I work as a public affairs specialist for the

  • Have a positive attitude, do the best you can, be yourself

    "Beware the test." I don't recall which supervisor or mentor shared this with me or even exactly when it was passed, but I do know I think of it often and use it as a source of motivation. The point to the message is that every encounter, chance interaction, project, assignment or opportunity you