Commentaries

The American Veteran
November 14, 2012 — Last week, I was very humbled at the invitation to be the Grand Marshal for the 2012 Veterans Day Parade hosted by the Ralph H. Johnson Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Charleston. The Department of Defense and VA are working very hard to ensure lasting health care in a seamless manner from the beginning of our active career and throughout our... MORE

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

"Airman" is enough
November 14, 2012 — There is a preoccupation in today's Air Force rhetoric with the word "warrior."It begins with the Airman's Creed where, at the onset, we profess to be warrior's who have answered our nation's call.From there it pervades our collective Air Force consciousness until we reach a state of semantic satiation, a phenomenon wherein a word is used so often... MORE

Having a spiritual dimension is key
October 31, 2012 — In the days leading up to the Battle for Bastogne, Gen. George Patton met with his chaplain, James O'Neill, the chief chaplain of the 3rd Army and asked, "Chaplain, how much praying is being done in the Third Army?" The chaplain responded, "Does the general mean by chaplains, or by the men?" "By everybody," Patton replied. To this, the chaplain... MORE

Creating balance in our busy lives
October 31, 2012 — We all feel it, that constant pressure of not having enough time in the day to get done what we think we need to. As a military member, just compound this with the additional demands our careers place on us. There is always a pressing deadline, a project that needs to get done, or an event that you are working. How many of us place an emphasis on... MORE

Diamond Tip: Cell phone etiquette
October 31, 2012 — The cell phone has been part of our culture since before I came into the Air Force. Only back then, they were not as "user friendly" as they are now.At that time, even the best phones resembled a brick hidden inside a leather case. Thankfully, technology has been able to make them more convenient to use and transport. As a first sergeant, I see the... MORE

Diamond Tip: Looking through a different lens
October 24, 2012 — About three months ago, I was asked to be the 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron interim first sergeant. Although I was a bit apprehensive, I was also excited about seeing things from a first sergeants perspective. Our commander, Maj. Matthew Manns, took me aside and helped ease my anxiety and fears about the new duties I would be taking... MORE

Transformation: Time to stress or remain resilient?
October 24, 2012 — There is much discussion in the Department of Defense and the Air Force these days about transformation. Transformation or looking for new and innovative ways to conduct business is nothing new; it has always been around. In fact, for any institution to survive and stay relevant, it must continuously adapt its mission to an ever-changing world... MORE

Strong foundations lead to strong mission performance
October 24, 2012 — It's been three weeks since I've had the honor of assuming command of the 437th Airlift Wing and I can honestly say I've never been more impressed! From the beginning, Team Charleston and the Lowcountry have welcomed me and my wife Tina, as well as our children Cameron and Matthew, as if we've been here all along. We are truly grateful for your... MORE

Diamond Tip: Don't be an 'October Surprise'
October 17, 2012 — This Nov. 6 is Election Day. I join your unit and base representatives in asking you take the time to vote and have your voice heard.I also join the Office of the Secretary of Defense in urging you to act responsibly during this, and any, campaign season. Guidance for Political activities can be found in Department of Defense Directive 1344.10,... MORE

Inspiration through perseverance
October 17, 2012 — It's October and my Physical Fitness Test is at hand. I used to be in pretty good shape and could max every event, but alas, those were the glory days. I've been pretty fortunate and have always been able to pass fairly easily, but my internal struggle has always been, "If I'm not going to max it, how much effort do I really need to give?" After my... MORE