Commentaries

Everyone’s job is important
May 23, 2007 — In March 2003, I was deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, in anticipation of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We were in a typical tent city with showers, laundry, a small morale tent and a basic dining facility. Then we went forward to a remote special forces staging base near the Iraq border for a planning conference. This was a very... MORE

Command Chief's Corner
May 23, 2007 — When you hear the word "hero," who do you think of? Your first thought might go to Purple Heart decorated veterans of past wars -- people like fighter pilot aces of World War II who risked almost certain death every mission of every day, and yet they continued to fight. Or, you might think of the prisoners of war from the Vietnam War who were held... MORE

Accept responsibility, reach full potential
May 23, 2007 — We all have our catch phrases. Being a first sergeant, one of my favorite topics is what it takes for Airmen to reach their full potential. The catch phrase I will most often repeat is "accept responsibility." As leaders, mentors and supervisors, we want our Airmen to develop their full potential. Often times, the difference between whether an... MORE

Be safe during the 101 Critical Days of Summer
May 16, 2007 — It's absolutely amazing to me how time flies. Even with temperatures rising and baseball season in full swing, it hasn't registered to me that summer is almost here. Sunday drives up and down the coast, afternoons fishing and skiing out in Charleston's beautiful harbor, camping trips, barbecues, outdoor recreational sports and those sometimes... MORE

Use your best effort to finish what you start
May 16, 2007 — Editor's Note: Chaplain (Maj.) Shane Gaster, 437th Airlift Wing chaplain, is stationed at Charleston AFB and is serving his second combat tour in Iraq. Chaplain Gaster is currently assigned to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq, ministering to coalition forces and civilian patients in need of his services. The Theater Hospital... MORE

Chaplain (Maj.) Shane Gaster, 437th Airlift Wing chaplain, is currently assigned to Balad Air Base, Iraq, in his second combat tour.(Courtesy photo)

Be prepared with family care plans
May 16, 2007 — In preparation for this article, I told an Airman I was going to write about a 357s and he wanted to know why I was writing about a gun. It took me a minute to realize he was talking about a 357 Magnum. I smiled not just because I thought he was funny, but rather it reminded me of when I first heard of the Air Force Form 357, Family Care Plan. My... MORE

Time management possible through early mentorship
May 9, 2007 — Taking care of Airmen sounds like an easy task, but ask yourself, is it really as easy as it sounds? Throughout my career, I have learned many things and have had many experiences that have shaped my thought processes. Many of those experiences dealt with supervision and all had one thing in common, people. Taking care of people is not easy and... MORE

Time management possible through early mentorship
May 9, 2007 — Taking care of Airmen sounds like an easy task, but ask yourself, is it really as easy as it sounds?Throughout my career, I have learned many things and have had many experiences that have shaped my thought processes. Many of those experiences dealt with supervision and all had one thing in common, people. Taking care of people is not easy and... MORE

Heritage paves way in military career success
May 9, 2007 — Many people can trace their American lineage back for several generations. As their families continue to grow over the years, the culture and heritage of their immigrant roots begin to fade from their everyday life. However, my American lineage begins with my sisters, our young cousins and me, for we make up the first generation of our family to be... MORE

Have a goal in both your personal, professional lives
May 9, 2007 — Everybody has something they want to achieve. For some it is testing well to make a stripe or scoring an excellent on their next physical fitness test. For others it's finishing their education.Not everyone achieves their goals. It is not for lack of trying but it's sometimes due to a lack of planning (how many New Year's resolutions go bye-bye in... MORE

437th Mission Support Squadron commander