Commentaries

This is my Air Force
May 8, 2015 — This is my Air Force. This is my base. This is my wing. This is my duty section. This is my work area. This is my profession. These are my tools that I use to perfect my profession in my work area of my duty section in my wing on my base for my Air Force. I am responsible for more than just the tools of my trade and the perfection of my craft. I am... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Hughes, 437th Airlift Wing command chief

The formula for success
May 6, 2015 — As I am out and about talking with Airmen, one topic that consistently comes up is the new Enlisted Evaluation System. "What will the new EPR look like?" "How many people will get the highest promotion rating?" "Why did we need to change the system?" These are just some of the questions that I routinely hear. However, probably the biggest... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Mark Bronson, 628th Air Base Wing command chief

One Team-No Seam!
May 6, 2015 — One Team-No Seam is a common term we use in the U.S. military to describe our total force capability and the relationship we have between the active and Reserve forces. While our forces are very different in many ways, in today's Air Force we have managed to cultivate a seamless environment between the two components.Joint Base Charleston is a... MORE

AMC Commander reflects on his first year
May 5, 2015 — To the men and women of Air Mobility Command, I can't thank you and your families enough for the hard work and sacrifices that you make each day. You are an unrivaled, Total Force team - active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Airmen - and you make rapid global mobility a reality.In the year since I took command, I've truly been impressed by... MORE

Protocol, it’s not what you think
April 28, 2015 — Since 1995, I have had the opportunity to serve the Air Force in several capacities. As a Reservist and on active-duty; in a support role as an Aircrew Life Support technician and in operations as both a C-5 and C-17 loadmaster. I've attended every enlisted PME available (yep, even the SNCOA!), assisted my commander processing personnel discharges... MORE

Importance of STEM Outreach
April 28, 2015 — The United States' need for a scientifically, mathematically and technologically literate populace is vital, and it will continue to grow in importance - particularly as other nations make rapid advances in science and technology. Once the world leader, the U.S. now lags behind other nations in science, technology, engineering and math education... MORE

Captain Amy Burin, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic commanding officer

Coming to you from the flight deck
April 21, 2015 — Thirty-two thousand feet. Four hundred and fifty miles per-hour. It's 2 a.m., and quiet. The aircrew of Reach 723 is just starting its journey across the Atlantic. Because my commentary deadline for the Patriot is the same week as one of my all-too-infrequent C-17 missions, the flight deck is my "office" for composing my thoughts. Unfortunate... MORE

Lt. Col. Paul Theriot, 17th Airlift Squadron commander

Please don’t thank me for my service
April 21, 2015 — The other day a good friend and mentor, a retired AF Master Sergeant, sent me a message made up of a few simple words. Words that we, folks who wear a military uniform, may be accustomed to ... "Thank you for your service." I don't know about you, but I am very uncomfortable when people thank me for my service. Usually, when it is a face to face... MORE

It’s all attitude
April 15, 2015 — For as long as I can remember, I have always placed an emphasis on having a great attitude. Let's face it, life throws us a whole lot of curve balls but with the right attitude, you can connect on those curve balls and hit them out of the park. With the wrong attitude you just may strike out. The choice is always yours. We have all been through... MORE

Shutdown inappropriate comments
April 14, 2015 — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and it is critical that we take this time to refocus ourselves on treating all our fellow Airmen and civilians with dignity and respect. Sexual assault is a crime that harms people and degrades unit integrity. We cannot accept this behavior or the inappropriate comments that enable potential assailants to... MORE

Col. John Lamontagne, 437th AW commander