Commentaries

Engineering Success
June 6, 2012 — At some point, every Airman will need to accept the fact that they are no longer the new person in the Air Force. If you are reading this, then you have been in the Air Force long enough to make that change and can provide vital information to new people that arrive to your unit. It is important for supervisors to ensure the first impression of... MORE

AtHoc Disaster Notification: Are you the Weak Link?
June 6, 2012 — FACT: A major emergency will befall the Lowcountry - it's only a matter of time. In just the last decade, the Charleston area has already stared down 16 tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes. What's less evident is how well we at Joint Base Charleston will react to a major emergency when it does occur. With that in mind, JB Charleston... MORE

Diamond Tips
June 5, 2012 — While assigned to my first duty station, my trainer and first supervisor, Staff Sgt. Harry Reese, would always give me a regulation to read whenever I was not training. Reese made me read the regulations cover to cover and quizzed me on information not found in my career-development courseware. Over time, it became habit to read Air Force... MORE

Make it a high-five day!
June 5, 2012 — Every day while listening to the news or radio, I hear how the world is changing and not necessarily for the better. Listening to these messages, I wonder what our country and the world will be like in the next 20 years or so. I think about my life and how it will be affected by these changes that are occurring. Next, I consider what I'm doing on a... MORE

Leadership – it’s not rocket science, it’s harder
May 29, 2012 — "It's not rocket science!" How often do we hear this phrase? It's a pretty common phrase to indicate that something is not as difficult as you may think. While I am willing to bet that rocket science is difficult, I am positive that leadership is not easy.Yep, leadership is certainly not rocket science. It can be harder.Most sciences have rules,... MORE

Foundational Feedback
May 29, 2012 — "Developing Airmen" is a common phrase in conversation today. It is a simple statement with a broad, complex definition. Development is a deliberate process requiring a combination of approaches. Some of the most effective methods of development are mentorship, military or civilian education, and engaged supervision. One of the best methods, though... MORE

Why I love being a support officer!
May 29, 2012 — "My logisticians are a humorless lot; they know if my campaign fails they are the first ones I will slay," said Alexander the Great. Long before airplanes took to the skies, there were logisticians that helped ensure the success of military campaigns. Today military logisticians are still hard at work providing the best possible support to forces... MORE

This Memorial Day remember those who served and make safety a priority
May 24, 2012 — Each and every day of service you give to our Nation, you are honoring the men and women who have given their lives in defense of freedom. With the Memorial Day weekend upon us, please pause a moment to reflect on those who came before us. Courageous men and women whose selfless devotion secured the prosperity and way of life we enjoy. Chief Kaiser... MORE

It’s Our Obligation
May 22, 2012 — The Department of Defense calls upon its employees to accomplish remarkable things while upholding the highest standard of excellence. Our actions are heavily scrutinized by Congress and the American public, but every day we meet and, most often, exceed the expectations placed upon us. However, in this atmosphere of decreased manning and increased... MORE

Integrity First…
May 22, 2012 — "Do the right thing all the time." Seven simple, meaningful, effective and powerful words that should guide us in all that we do. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, Integrity is defined as "firm adherence to a code of moral or artistic values. Incorruptibility. An unimpaired condition. Soundness. The quality or state of being complete or... MORE