Commentaries

Self-Mastery
February 26, 2013 — Aristotle once said, "The hardest victory is over self."How many times have you procrastinated over an issue because you "just didn't feel like it," didn't complete career development in a timely manner, or maintain or attain fitness? I'm sure we've all done some of these things at some point in time. Now ask yourself, of those times in which you... MORE

Diamond Tip: The biggest impression
February 26, 2013 — A while back, I was sitting with a group of young Airmen and one of them asked me, "What one thing made the biggest impression on you during your career?" I thought for a moment, but truth be told, I was stumped. Instead, I asked the Airmen to let me think about it and I would make it the subject of this article. It is difficult for me to choose... MORE

Who me? Yes, you! Couldn’t be! Then, who?
February 21, 2013 — Not adhering to the Air Force standards is a direct violation of your individual responsibilities regarding uniformity and our Air Force image.As a young Security Forces Airman, I was often approached by higher ranking members within my chain of command (and sometimes outside of my chain) in regards to dress and appearance standards. Their initial... MORE

Annual leave: Do you use or lose?
February 20, 2013 — Last month, President Barack Obama signed the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act which contained a provision extending the 75-day maximum carry over leave balance for active-duty personnel for two more years. When this news broke, a collective sigh of relief was heard Air Force wide as we gained some temporary relief from the impending "use or... MORE

Col. Al Miller, 437th Airlift Wing vice commander

Spiritual valor, religion and self-defeating behaviors
February 20, 2013 — Seventy years ago, February 1943, the U.S. Army Transport ship Dorchester was crowded to capacity carrying 902 service men, merchant seamen, and civilian workers as it moved across the icy waters from Newfoundland toward Greenland. The ship's captain knew the waters were dangerous. German U-boats had already sunk other ships in that area. On Feb... MORE

Lt. Col. Michael Brown, 628th Air Base Wing chaplain

We're paying a strategic price for sexual harassment
February 13, 2013 — Super Bowl XLVII ... wow, what a game! Without question, both teams relied on an outstanding Harbaugh coach (choose your favorite) and the superb skills of its players, especially from superstars Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco and Colin Kapernick. At that level of competition, every inch of competitive advantage makes a difference and, with so much prestige... MORE

Win today's game
February 13, 2013 — The 2013 Super Bowl champions have been crowned and it got me thinking about my old football days. Twenty years ago, I had a high school football coach tell me that you can only win the game you are playing right now. You can't be concerned about the state championship at the end of the season; instead worry about doing your very best at today's... MORE

Naval Health Clinic Charleston's campus goes tobacco free
February 6, 2013 — Naval Health Clinic Charleston is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and military readiness. Beginning March 1, 2013, NHCC will become a completely tobacco-free command. All patients, visitors, volunteers and staff (military, federal, contract) will be required to refrain from using tobacco products on the NHCC campus, which includes all... MORE

Capt. Mary Kim Kenney-Gutshall, Naval Health Clinic Charleston, commanding officer

Diamond Tip - "Common Courtesy"
February 6, 2013 — Like common sense, common courtesy isn't so common anymore. Why? The last decade has seen technological advances render human interactivity nearly obsolete. We conduct most business communication via government email, we interact with friends and relatives via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, text messaging ... by now I believe you see the point. While... MORE

Resiliency starts with a talk
January 30, 2013 — I was driving a beat-up Toyota 4Runner covered in dust, with an interior worn-out by hard use and a steering wheel that wobbled badly along the perimeter at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.Beyond the fence line, the terrain was arid and bare except for a few dwellings and basic agricultural fields. I was taking a National Geographic TV cameraman... MORE