Commentaries

Commander’s Commentary
January 16, 2008 — Welcome back Team Charleston! I hope you were able to enjoy the holiday season, spend time with family and friends, and catch up on some well-deserved rest and relaxation. You faced many challenges and achieved numerous successes during 2007, and I know 2008 will bring many of the same challenges of the past year as we continue to fight the Global... MORE

Mandatory motorcycle training is not a bitter pill
January 16, 2008 — I'm sure many riders have felt hassled by the mandatory training requirements levied on them for being a motorcyclist. I empathize with them; however, there are some very legitimate reasons for this measure that actually work to the rider's advantage. Time spent away from riding due to deployments, wintertime, etc., tends to erode the skills... MORE

Another year is now upon us, 2007 is history
January 16, 2008 — Another new year is now upon us ... 2007 is history. Why is it that we mark the beginning of January differently than the beginning of any other month? I think it's because with each new year we have the opportunity to take inventory of our lives and decide where changes are called for. Many will recognize this tradition as a "New Year's... MORE

Reflections on Leadership
January 16, 2008 — As my time in the Air Force comes to a close and I transition into life after the military, I have been thinking a lot about my military experiences and the leadership qualities I have acquired throughout my career. Some I have learned through formal training, but most I learned from my previous supervisors. I have had numerous supervisors over my... MORE

Command Chief’s Corner
January 8, 2008 — Happy New Year Team Charleston! As we begin 2008, many of us will make resolutions. I think it's good to set goals in the areas in our lives where we want change. Losing weight, improving fitness, stoping smoking, getting promoted and other goals are good for us. However, even with the best of intentions, we often falter after a few weeks. The... MORE

You Could Be Your Squadron’s Next First Sergeant
January 8, 2008 — If you asked me about my Air Force career and inquired about the types of jobs I would most likely have, other than being a loadmaster, I would have never listed being the acting First Sergeant of the 14th Airlift Squadron. I have always had a general idea of what first sergeants do, but let me begin by telling you what motivated me to step up and... MORE

New Year's Resolution
January 8, 2008 — OK folks, it is that time of year -- New Year's. Four thousand years ago the first New Year's celebration took place in ancient Babylon, albeit in March, and the Romans changed it officially to January 1st around 46 B.C. with Julius Caesar's decree. Oddly enough, the most common New Year's resolution with the Babylonians was returning borrowed farm... MORE

Reflections on leadership and retention in the Air Force
December 18, 2007 — Chief Master Sgt. Dwayne Gunther, the 437th Security Forces Squadron security forces manager, has served the security forces career field honorably for 30 years and will be retiring in April. As the SFM, he is a vital part of our unit's leadership team and he has helped me direct the unit and provide council to security forces Airmen. I have asked... MORE

437th Security Forces Squadron commander

JAG corps looking for a few good men and women officers
December 18, 2007 — I have found my career as a Judge Advocate General officer to be an extremely rewarding experience professionally. JAGs routinely participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission, including developing and acquiring weapons systems and ensuring availability of airspace and ranges where those systems are tested and operated. They also... MORE

Slow down if the holidays become stressful
December 18, 2007 — Do the holidays stress you out in some manner? Everyone has things that cause bad and good stress in their lives. Individuals may have relatives coming into town for the holidays or you may travel to see them -- either way, there is stress involved. Some of the stress may be good because you are excited about being with your family and friends;... MORE