Commentaries

First Term Airmen’s Center an Airmen’s roadmap for success
October 17, 2007 — In the last six months while assigned as the 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, I have noticed a large increase in first-term Airmen joining our LRS team. I make time to meet individually with all the newly assigned squadron Airmen and find out a little bit about each member and their families, give some first sergeant expectations... MORE

Command Chief’s Corner
October 17, 2007 — Team Charleston, every day I witness the marvelous accomplishments of our Airmen. The success of many of these accomplishments is a direct result of the leadership in our organizations. It appears many of our leaders appreciate the value of cultivating the ability of their subordinates. They work hard at growing and equipping the subordinate... MORE

To join or enlist -- what's the difference?
October 10, 2007 — How many times throughout your Air Force career have you engaged in a conversation with a fellow Airman and suddenly realized that your level of commitment is different than the person you were speaking with? Because of our unique differences, we continue to communicate with one another and build relationships. From these relationships, a... MORE

Command Chief’s Corner
October 10, 2007 — Team Charleston, in the military, we constantly study the concepts of leadership and the qualities that make a good leader. In this continuous pursuit for professional development, we seem to focus on leadership and somehow overlook an equally important quality -- followership. In my experience, I have found that the best leaders are those who... MORE

Commander's Comments
October 10, 2007 — Why an Army of One? Many of you may have seen the commercial where a Soldier is running alone across the desert, carrying a backpack but no rifle. Helicopters swoop overhead. A squad of Soldiers runs past, moving in the opposite direction of the lone runner. Voiceover: "Even though there are 1,045,690 Soldiers like me, I am my own force. The might... MORE

Why should Airmen join the First Six?
October 10, 2007 — My question to you is "Why not First Six?" The Team Charleston First Six Association is a professional organization that caters to the E-6 and below community. Our mission is to represent the voices of Team Charleston's enlisted members, Airman basic through technical sergeant, on issues affecting prestige, morale, welfare and esprit de corps. We... MORE

Senior Airman James Vines, 437th Airlift Wing Protocol protocol specialist, hands a decorated pumpkin to retired Army Sergeant 1st Class Darrell Kissinger at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Wednesday. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Katie Gieratz)

Commander's Comments
October 3, 2007 — Last week, I attended the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. At the conference, Team Charleston was recognized for numerous accomplishments over the past year. During his briefing to conference attendees on Sept. 26, Gen. Arthur Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander, discussed the... MORE

Command Chief’s Corner
October 3, 2007 — Team Charleston, as we continue to fight the Global War on Terrorism, we must also continue to stay engaged in Enlisted Professional Development. In these times, more than ever, professional development is crucial to our mission. Supervisors must persistently provide leadership that prompts Airmen to develop professional knowledge, skills and... MORE

Be prepared for deployments, prepare family
October 3, 2007 — Are you prepared to deploy when tasked? Just as important, have you prepared your family for the time you are away from home? The United States recently recognized the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attacks within our borders. The events of Sept. 11 significantly changed both the country and the United States Air Force. One of the primary... MORE

First sergeant reflects, stresses importance of core values
October 3, 2007 — As I write this, I'm flooded with memories of the exciting and far-off places I've been, the people who have shaped me as a person and an Airman, and the many wonderful and not-so-wonderful experiences I've had in my 20 years of service. Those 20 years include several bases and places, a loving wife, two wonderful children and more stripes than I... MORE