Commentaries

Adopt a caring philosophy
May 7, 2013 — I am humbled to be the commanding officer of Naval Health Clinic Charleston. Everyday I look around and it amazes me that I have been blessed to be part of an amazing group of dedicated Navy medicine staff, an amazing Air Force community of medical professionals, an outstanding veteran administration medical community and our low country medical... MORE

Captain Mary Kim Kenney-Gutshall, Naval Health Clinic Charleston commanding officer. (Courtesy photo)

437th AMXS shapes Indian air force's future in aviation
May 1, 2013 — As the Indian air force stands up its own C-17 program, the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was approached by the Air Force Security Assistance Training office at Air Education and Training Command to facilitate C-17 aircraft maintenance observation training. The 437th AMXS is one element of the 437th Maintenance Group's effort to provide... MORE

Diamond Tip: Good stewards of Uncle Sam's wallet
May 1, 2013 — With all the constant talk of sequestration, furloughs and budget cuts, you may be wondering; how does this impact me? Will these cuts change the way we do things? How can I help soften the blow? The first thing everyone should know is that sequestration will affect everyone, military and civilian, in the Department of Defense. The second thing we... MORE

MSgt. Jeremy Klemme, 437th Aerial Port Squadron

Why we do hard things
May 1, 2013 — I recently read an article that cited a number of studies on the benefits of preschool. As the father of three school-aged children, it was interesting to me because it validated a number of beliefs that I had on the advantages of starting learning early in a young brain. What I didn't expect though, were the lessons and benefits that were shown to... MORE

Col. James Fontanella, 315th Airlift Wing commander. (Courtesy photo)

Diamond Tip: Off-base medical care
April 24, 2013 — Have you ever received off-base medical care? If so, was it an emergency or were you referred to that civilian medical facility by your Primary Care Manager? According to AFI 41-210, "Service members, who seek medical/dental care outside the Military Health System without prior approval or coordination with the medical training facility responsible... MORE

Airmen taking care of Airmen … what truly matters!
April 24, 2013 — Last week, the 437th Airlift Wing experienced the sudden loss of one of our own - Maj. David Diehl passed away Wednesday, 17 April. The entire 437th AW and Team Charleston family mourns the loss and shares our deepest sympathies with his wife Nicole and his children, Paige, Luke and Juliet, the rest of his surviving family, as well as the immediate... MORE

Pruning vs. levying discipline
April 24, 2013 — When I was back in high school, I worked at a golf course during the summers, as well as afternoons and evenings during portions of the school year. I spent many hours taking care of the expansive areas of grass, trees, shrubs and related verdure. I very much enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed that kind of activity so much that - in spite of my parents... MORE

DIAMOND TIP: A new look at support!
April 18, 2013 — I used to be the guy that came off the flight line covered in oil, grease and fuel, totally disgruntled with anyone working in an air-conditioned office. You know them, Military Personnel Section, Services, Medical, Finance, whoever. I'd think to myself, "How hard could it be to work in a place like that?" I was working in the rain, snow, cold,... MORE

Master Sgt. Tony Crerar, 628th Force Support Squadron first sergeant

DIAMOND TIP: Are you doing your best?
April 18, 2013 — Reflect upon this statement for a moment ... "The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." - L.P. Hartley, British novelist and short story writer.How often have you heard someone say, "This is the way we've always done it?"People often take the same actions in life because they are comfortable doing so; yet this approach does... MORE

Master Sgt. John Pryhoda, 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 5 chief

What's your integrity compass?
April 11, 2013 — I've often wondered why some Airmen would rather run indoors at the sound of Retreat, as opposed to standing outside and rendering the proper respect to our nation's flag. With the exception of lightning, rain, or heat index, there are no plausible or logical explanations especially for military members in uniform. Some Airmen morph instantly into... MORE