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COMMENTARIES

  • Christmas on the front line

    The day after Christmas, my team woke up at 5 a.m. after unloading supplies from HUMVEES Christmas evening. Just the standard things you would expect to get on Christmas day, concertina wire, empty barriers, MREs and a few personal letters.My team had been embedded with the Army and was told we were

  • Combined Federal Campaign makes a difference

    This 50th Anniversary of the Combined Federal Campaign is personal for me. I am stationed at Fairchild under the humanitarian assignment program. In August of 2010, my dad was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. According to the ALS Association website,

  • Shortcuts, discipline and safety

    I'm not a fan of Bob Villa; for the younger crowd who might not know who I'm talking about, just picture a live-action Bob the Builder. Just the sound of high-rpm power tools makes my middle finger ache. One week before graduation and commissioning, and two weeks before getting married, I was

  • Support the formation: Be a wingman

    What does it mean to be a Wingman? This is tough question and the answer can vary greatly depending on the situation. Yes, it may depend on the situation, but what if it mattered more about how much you were involved? As a squadron commander in Air Mobility Command, I attend a video teleconference

  • Being "Joint" isn't a new concept

    Although "Joint Basing" is a relatively new term in our military lexicon, the concept of "joint" especially as it relates to military operations is not. In fact, joint operations date back to the time of Alexander the Great, when he realized the need to develop a comprehensive resupply plan. He

  • General Findley: 'A dream worth living'

    "The best dreams happen with your eyes wide open." I once heard an announcer make that statement at a golf tournament in describing his experience in winning one of golf's major tournaments.Well after 35-plus years of active duty military service, Sandy and I have hit the "back nine." I think that

  • 'Buy in': Do you have it?

    "Buy in." Is it a buzz word for the not quite committed? Today's continuously changing military environment requires people who can adapt to change, think on their feet, make decisions and think through problems and issues, all for mission accomplishment. So what does this have to do with "buy in?"

  • Comprehensive Airman Fitness: Diary of a wimpy Airman

    Unfortunately, my story begins like many Airmen out there. I started my career as a lean, mean, fighting machine. Eight years and three kids later I found myself on the physical training fringe. What do I mean by that? I spent the last seven years of my career barely making it by. Each test, I swore

  • Now, more than ever, the Air Force needs first sergeants

    It was 1998 and I was assigned to the 92nd Transportation Squadron. My first sergeant was a force to be reckoned with. To put it plainly, she scared me to death. One day, while sitting in a briefing at Airman Leadership School, I vaguely listened to the first sergeant's panel. To my dismay, my first