Commentaries

SPAWAR SSC plays a huge role as part of Joint Base Charleston
November 17, 2010 — Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic has approximately 3,500 federal civil service employees, 120 military personnel and 9,000 industry partners located at the center's headquarters here in Charleston and at other locations in the Tidewater area of Virginia; in New Orleans, La.; and in Tampa and Pensacola, Fla. We also have overseas... MORE

Capt. Bruce Urban, Commanding Officer, SPAWAR SSC

Mentors: do they choose us, or do we choose them?
November 12, 2010 — Not too long after I pinned on the rank of captain - at barely four years in the Air Force - I recall hearing about the buzz of "mentorship." My squadron commander at the time told me I needed to start thinking about who my mentor would be or else one would be assigned for me. Fortunately, the assigned mentor never came, but the role has been... MORE

Maj. Tara White, 628th Force Support Squadron commander (U.S. Air Force photo)

Diamond Tip: Creating financial stability
November 12, 2010 — I've been a first sergeant for nearly half my career now, and I've seen hundreds of Airmen for initial interviews when they arrive from technical school.During that time, I've developed a couple of topics that have really hit home for me as I observe how careers unfold, and the topic of financial responsibility quickly rose to the top of my... MORE

Career Assistance Tip
November 10, 2010 — Have you ever thought about what your veteran benefits are? Have you ever had anyone talk to you about disability? Did you know you can get a Veterans Affairs loan to do improvements to your house?Well, if you didn't, then you need to visit the www.va.gov website and learn more, because you do not have to retire from the military to receive VA... MORE

Diamond Tips: Support your professional organizations
November 9, 2010 — As military members, we all had different reasons that led us to the doorsteps of a Military Recruiter's office. After several discussions with the recruiter, some may have joined for the pay and allowances, educational benefits or opportunities for travel, while others joined for the health care or the chance to enter a new profession. After our... MORE

Career Assistance Tip
November 3, 2010 — Have you ever thought about retraining into a different job? Are you a First Term Airman within 15 months of your DOS? Are you a career Airman who is looking to do something different? Well the Air Force provides you these opportunities through their RETRAINING programs. As a First Term Airman (FTA), once you are 15 months from your DOS you can... MORE

Naval Health Clinic Charleston set for grand opening
November 3, 2010 — The celebrated author Bruce Barton once said, "When you are through changing, you are through." Well Naval Health Clinic Charleston has undergone some momentous changes over the past few months and I am happy to report that we are far from "through."In September, NHCC moved to a new location at the newly constructed John G. Feder Joint Ambulatory... MORE

CAPT. Paula McClure, Naval Health Clinic Charleston commanding officer

Diamond tips: ‘save your documents’
November 2, 2010 — Prior to becoming a first sergeant, I was a 17-year personnelist. The personnel career field has changed quite a bit since I was in it, and the personal one-on-one career counselings of the past have been replaced with the technologies of virtual on-line briefings.Some of us pay better attention to those briefings than others, but one of the most... MORE

Even one suicide is too many
November 1, 2010 — An alarming trend is happening in our Air Force, and we need your help. We've had a drastic increase this year in the number of suicides among our total force Airmen - active duty, guard, Reserve and civilians. Last year we lost 84 Airmen by suicides; this year, we've nearly reached that number, and it is only October. Even one suicide is too... MORE

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi)

Lose the training wheels
October 27, 2010 — I first taught my daughter to ride a bicycle using training wheels. The added support gave her the confidence to take off like a daredevil. She was content for awhile, until she realized her training wheels were holding her back. It was time to ride like her big brother -- without training wheels.Over the next few days, we tried, but didn't make... MORE