Commentaries

How will you spend your dash?
July 30, 2014 — I recently returned from two weeks leave visiting family and friends in upstate New York. It had been almost two years since I was home last. When I go home I always make it a point to visit my parents' gravesite and talk to them about what is new in my life. As I looked on their headstones and walked around visiting other family members' graves,... MORE

What are you reading?
July 17, 2014 — Growing up as a military brat overseas, I loved reading the Pacific Stars and Stripes to feel connected and to get my fix of the good ole United States of America. I remember waiting impatiently at my doorstep for the distinct buzz of the delivery man on his Honda motorcycle, expertly zigzagging between housing units to distribute the day's paper... MORE

Diamond Tip: Save, save, save for a rainy day
July 14, 2014 — As the Air Force reduces in size and many Airmen wait to learn if they're retained, everyone should be asking themselves, "Am I ready to depart the Air Force if involuntarily separated?"Being financially prepared for separation or retirement is something many of us may not think about when we first enter the service, but it is something that should... MORE

Doodling is fundamental
July 9, 2014 — You are an artist. Whether you believe it or not, there's power in your mind to make shapes, letters and patterns. If you take that power and apply it in your everyday life by making doodles in the margins of your notebooks or the stickies on your desk, then you are actually harnessing your brain's ability to focus. It seems counterintuitive, but... MORE

Know your Airmen
July 7, 2014 — In my role as assistant first sergeant for the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, I sit in on a lot of meetings with the commander and supervisors. In these meetings the supervisors are questioned about their Airmen. The discussion is usually sparked from on off-duty incident. In many of these meetings it is evident the supervisor was given the... MORE

The time for resiliency is now
July 1, 2014 — At the end of last year the Air Force announced force management programs designed to reduce the force by thousands of Airmen over the next five years as a result of sequestration. The specifics on exactly who would be affected soon came out. Some of us breathed a sigh of relief when we realized we were safe while others went home to share the news... MORE

Diamond Tip: Feedback
June 30, 2014 — Feedback is a process in which helpful information is given to someone to say what can be done to improve a performance or product. Over the past several years the process of providing feedback to our Airmen has wavered; a change was needed. Our Airmen have voiced their opinions and concerns and the Air Force has answered. Per the direction from... MORE

Independence Day – bold and innovative leadership
June 30, 2014 — As we take a moment to spend time with family and friends over the long holiday weekend, let us not forget what Independence Day truly represents - the birth of our great nation as bold leaders stood up and declared our independence. Our nation fought for and declared its independence 238 years ago, paving the way for the freedoms we still enjoy... MORE

The monster under your bed
June 25, 2014 — I was cruising down I-26 the other day and a song came on the radio that immediately caught my attention. The song had a groovy beat and my head swayed rhythmically side to side. Most of the time I am oblivious to the lyrics but this song was different; the words really grabbed me. It turns out the song is by Eminem and if I give you the chorus,... MORE

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

Diamond Tip: special duty
June 16, 2014 — A few years ago, I was staring at my computer screen and contemplating volunteering for a special duty assignment. My supervisors and mentors had recommended that I take a chance, try something completely new and step outside my comfort zone. Feeling apprehensive, I read the advertisement for an instructor position one last time before clicking the... MORE