Commentaries

Healthy competition
August 1, 2012 — Being the best at what we do is a value shared by each of the armed services. The Air Force covers this in its "Excellence in all we do" value, while the Navy covers it in its "Commitment" value. Improvement of individuals and commands is something all the services devote tremendous resources to. Individuals are called upon to further their... MORE

Put the phone down
July 25, 2012 — I enjoy my cell phone as much as anyone else but all too often, I see Airmen and civilians using their cell phones while driving on base. It is no secret that using a handheld electronic device without the hands-free method while driving a vehicle on Joint Base Charleston is prohibited. Some folks may have not "gotten the memo," so I will break it... MORE

Mission and vision: The foundations of "Why" in our military organizations
July 24, 2012 — These days, we hear a lot about mission and vision, in both military and civilian organizations. With all of the talk, do you know your unit's mission and vision? If so, have you ever taken the time to think about how the mission and vision apply to you? It may be tempting to assume the mission and vision of your organization is just some vague... MORE

Col. Erik Hansen, 437th Airlift Wing commander

The Air Force is not just a job, it's a profession
July 18, 2012 — As I approach the end of my military service I know that I will miss it terribly. As a traditional reservist, I hold positions in both the public sector and military service.My civilian occupation is enjoyable and in fact more financially rewarding than my military service, but there is no comparison when it comes to the fulfillment I gain from... MORE

New selection process for all civilian supervisor positions
July 18, 2012 — Your Joint Base commanders have helped foster and model an Equal Opportunity initiative that demonstrates commitment from agency leadership, integration of EO into the agency's strategic mission and management accountability.They have created a new operating instruction to ensure objectivity throughout the Joint Base installation concerning the... MORE

Change … it’s inevitable so embrace it
July 18, 2012 — There are some people that don't handle change very well. I am not just talking about the older generation of Airmen but also younger Airmen.Anytime something new happens or business practices are revamped, Airmen can become upset and uneasy. Avoidance to change is not conducive to shaping a successful Air Force.Since the inception of the Air... MORE

Every Airman and Sailor a Leader
July 12, 2012 — As those of you who wear Air Force blue know, the Airman's Creed charges every Airman to be a leader. In the last paragraph of the creed, it states, "I am an American Airman, Wingman, Leader, Warrior..." But just how do we operationalize this concept? That is, give our Airmen or Sailors for that matter, regardless of grade, officer or enlisted, the... MORE

Character and Competence
July 11, 2012 — Not everyone has the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force. There is something that drives us and makes us different than an ordinary citizen. We are expected to live in a way that exemplifies our core values. We owe it to our fellow citizens to perform with excellence, service and integrity. This burning inside to do what's right,... MORE

Diamond Tips: Where do I stand?
July 11, 2012 — Throughout my years as a supervisor, one question my subordinates often ask and deservedly so is, "What do I need to do to get a "5" on my EPR?"Throughout my career, I've attempted to ensure my EPR rating accurately reflected my efforts. I would initiate discussions with my supervisors to know exactly where I stood at all times. The only thing I've... MORE

The Inspector General’s office
July 2, 2012 — I recently had the privilege of attending the ribbon cutting for our beautiful new base housing. The ceremony made me a little melancholy as the location was just across the street from a now vacant field where my family first moved into base housing almost 30 years ago. A lot of changes have taken place, but as I consider the differences from then... MORE