Commentaries

Keys to success
June 16, 2014 — As I write this article, I've had time to reflect on the many students that have come through our training detachment. Since this same time last year we have trained more than 677 active, Reserve, Guard and international maintenance technicians. Everyday our students come through our school house with a positive attitude and eager to learn. Whether... MORE

SAPR: more than an Air Force acronym
June 13, 2014 — As an Airman and a senior leader in the Air Force Reserve, I've seen firsthand the devastating impacts of sexual assault on an Air Force organization. Regardless of your unit or military status, active or reserve, no one is immune to these impacts nor absolved of their responsibility to combat the instances of sexual assault that continue to... MORE

Another milestone reached ... many more to come!
June 13, 2014 — Whether simple distance markers on a long road trip, events along our career path or significant operational accomplishments, I've always found milestones particularly useful. Milestones help gauge the progress we have achieved, while potentially indicating the distance that remains. This week Joint Base Charleston achieved a historical milestone... MORE

Use it... or possibly lose it
June 11, 2014 — For the quarterly Commander's Commentary, I decided to take a turn from the norm and not write about leadership, but rather write about budget issues that we are facing across the Joint Base as we head into FY15. A few days back, my wife pulled up a FACEBOOK page which had several comments about Joint Base Charleston. The comments centered on... MORE

From the 437th commander
June 4, 2014 — Thank you for the warm welcome to the 437th Airlift Wing and Joint Base Charleston. In short, our reception to the "Low Country" was exceptional and our family - me, my wife Becky and our daughters Emily, Meganand Sarah are thrilled to be back. We look forward to meeting all of you and we are honored to join the team. It has been just over a week... MORE

Col. John Lamontagne, 437th AW commander

Language learning mythbuster
June 4, 2014 — "Ты будеш рвать наши книжки? " Svetlana Sergeevna, my secondary school teacher, asked me loudly. I was completely lost. It sounded like one of those guttural warrior cries that Genghizkhan soldiers probably made to intimidate the rivals before battle. Translated, the question was "Are you going to tear up our books?" I was clueless of the meaning... MORE

Emotional Intelligence
May 28, 2014 — How do we get better as people? Better yet, why would somebody want to be led by you? Well, if you show others you are human, you are caring, charismatic or you dare to be different, then maybe you can capture the hearts, mind or spirit of your followers. There are many ways one could devise a way to capture followers, but have you thought it might... MORE

The Company
May 27, 2014 — In a recent LinkedIn article entitled "Career Curveballs: No Longer A Soldier," Gen. Stanley McChrystal describes how after 38 years in uniform, his identity as a soldier came to an abrupt end following the now infamous article in Rolling Stone magazine. The profoundness of McChrystal's words in the LinkedIn article is best articulated by reading... MORE

Heritage and communications
May 19, 2014 — The heritage of the military in Charleston is amazing; from the "H. L. Hunley" preservation project, Patriots Point and Riverfront Park, to the history of Joint Base Charleston and its mission partners, there is a never ending list of things to see and learn about what makes, and has made Charleston a great military town for many years.I was... MORE

Master Chief Petty Officer Joseph Gardner. (Courtesy photo)

Supervising: It’s a really tough job
May 19, 2014 — Being a supervisor is a tough job and an awesome responsibility. Good supervisors are critical to any organization's success, yet it is often a thankless job, in most cases. What does a supervisor do exactly? I recently asked some people what their ideas were. Some replies: a taskmaster; an enforcer of the rules; someone who holds people... MORE