Commentaries

It's never too late to get your education
May 28, 2008 — May 14 was a milestone in my career -- one that took me a long time to achieve. That's the day I was presented with my Community College of the Air Force degree. As I proudly accepted my degree, I realized it's never too late to get your education. Within our group of graduates, there were some who only took a couple years to finish their CCAF... MORE

Remembering the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and their families
May 21, 2008 — This Memorial Day I am very aware of the sacrifices being made daily by our American service men and women. My recent visit to our fine troops at Dover AFB -- where our fallen heroes return with dignity -- was a vivid reminder of the cost of freedom. As military members, Memorial Day is also a poignant reminder of the seriousness of our business... MORE

Bio photo of Gen. Arthur J. Lichte (U.S. Air Force/file photo)

Commander’s Comments
May 20, 2008 — Joan was born into a poor common family in the peasant village of Domrémy in the French province of Lorraine in 1412. She grew up during the height of the Hundred Years' War, at a time when the French nation found itself divided with multiple enemies, both internally and externally. Following a series of visions that convinced her she must do... MORE

Think twice before selling your gas guzzler
May 20, 2008 — With gas prices hovering at $4 a gallon, more and more consumers are reconsidering off-loading their gas-guzzlers for smaller, more fuel-efficient alternatives. Since high gas prices are more than likely here to stay, looking at alternatives is a smart choice. Although selling your low miles-per-gallon vehicle may seem like the best alternative, in... MORE

Customs and courtesies: don't leave home without them
May 20, 2008 — Extending proper customs and courtesies are the easiest things we can do in our day to day interactions. Simply saying yes and no, sir or ma'am, thank you and may I help you? Standing when someone enters your work center or a customer service area and saying thank you go a long way. We learned these things as children and also in basic military... MORE

Airmen should learn to communicate effectively
May 20, 2008 — Communicating in the Age of Technology: Winston Churchill once wrote to a colleague that he didn't have time to write them a short letter, so he wrote them a long one instead. The irony is that we take less time to write brief, well-written statements and instead choose to write long rambling prose. It is all too easy to hit the send button without... MORE

Commander's Action Line
May 6, 2008 — Action Line Message: I recently visited the passenger terminal at Charleston AFB and noticed there was not any designated reserved parking spaces for distinguished visitors (O-6 and above) in the parking area across the street from the terminal. I noticed there were reserved DV parking spaces at the base exchange, commissary and base gym. Would it... MORE

Enlisted first line supervisor: toughest job in the Air Force
May 6, 2008 — You're probably wondering what insight a captain could give on enlisted supervision. Well I used to be an Airman ... "Basic" to be exact. And it wasn't until I became a supervisor of my own Airmen that I truly understood how hard and important it is. When I talk about enlisted first line supervisors, I'm mainly speaking of the senior airmen and... MORE

Who are you and who knows?
May 6, 2008 — "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way." -- Admiral John Paul Jones "I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions; I offer hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles and death. Let him who loves his country in his heart and not with his lips only, follow me." -- Giuseppe Garibaldi... MORE

Team Charleston stepping closer to final goal: perfection
May 5, 2008 — "Perfection" ... it's a simple word often used, always expected, but very difficult to gain. Webster defines it as "the quality, state, or condition of being perfect, and an instance of excellence." During the in-processing briefing I give to new Airmen, I explain to them what my expectations are, and they are very simple: perfection. In return, I... MORE