Commentaries

Diamond Tips
July 6, 2011 — There is an Air Force Instruction that tells us the official terms of address for every enlisted rank. The Enlisted Force Structure, AFI 36-2618, provides information about each rank, including the often overlooked official terms of address. Let's look at them.E-1 - airman basicE-2 - airmanE-3 - airman first classE-4 - senior airmanAll E-1 through... MORE

Charleston has come of age
July 6, 2011 — This is a bittersweet moment as I get ready to pass off the flag and step down as the first Joint Base Commander at Charleston. However, I do so knowing the 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston has come of age in the last 18 months and there will be great folks who remain to take the watch behind me. It has been a tremendous experience,... MORE

Standards of courage
July 6, 2011 — The other day at lunch I saw something that really stuck with me. A colonel excused himself from his dining companions for a moment and went over to an Airman at another table. Discretely, he corrected her on improper wear of the uniform.Is this something to be concerned about? Is this what leaders should take their time to do? The answer is yes... MORE

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy sends an Independence Day message
June 27, 2011 — Shipmates and Navy families,For 235 years, our great nation has celebrated our independence and reflected on those whose sacrifices continue to secure our nation's liberty. I am very proud of each and every one of you for the daily sacrifices that you and your families graciously make to keep America the land of the free and the home of the brave... MORE

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West

Our farewell really comes down to two words … thank you!
June 23, 2011 — It's been a tremendous honor to serve the Airmen of Team Charleston over the last 19 months! What you have accomplished during that time has been nothing short of amazing. You superbly and selflessly executed the missions which aided in accomplishing our nation's objectives during Operation Unified Response in Haiti; the Presidentially-directed... MORE

Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program
June 22, 2011 — Have you heard of or been part of the Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program? The Air Force is going to run this program again this year. For those who have not heard about NCORP, the following is a quick explanation on how the program works and what you or your Airmen can expect if they are selected.The NCORP is a program that retrains second... MORE

Fatherhood: Job #1
June 22, 2011 — My most important job is raising my daughters. While my faith in God and relationship with my wife are more important, I consider neither of those a job, but rather relationships. While it's true I have a relationship with my daughters, it's my duty to raise them to have good morals and character, to contribute to our society, and I hope, to love... MORE

Diamond Tip
June 22, 2011 — "Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice." (Woodrow Wilson)Loyalty can be defined as faithfulness or adherence to a government, leader or cause. The Professional Development Guide explains loyalty under the section Service before Self: "Airmen are loyal to their leaders, fellow Airmen and the... MORE

Celebrate our freedom and be safe this Independence Day
June 22, 2011 — The 4th of July is a day for all of us to celebrate what we cherish and hold so dear as Americans ... it's been this way for 235 years. What our forefathers fought and worked so hard for you carry on today, magnificently. We are as busy as ever and no matter what's asked, you rise to the challenge ... to answer the call of others so they can... MORE

Joint focus; better for national defense
June 21, 2011 — Six months into a realignment which brought Air Mobility Command's joint bases and Base Re-Alignment and Closure-affected bases under the umbrella of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, I'm happy to say we're seeing the positive effects of joint basing and working through the growing pains together by building a culture of joint training and... MORE