Commentaries

We need your help to reverse this terrible trend
August 18, 2010 — I prepared this commentary to publish during the final week of this month; however, recent events call for immediate action.Over the past two years, the final month of the Critical Days of Summer campaign has seen an alarming spike in fatalities. In 2009, 10 out of 21, and in 2008, 8 out of 17 fatal Critical Days of Summer off-duty mishaps occurred... MORE

Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., Air Mobility Command commander

Command Chief's Corner
August 18, 2010 — This week we bid farewell to Command Chief Master Sgt. Mike Ivey and his family. Saying farewell to family and friends at a retirement ceremony reminds us of how much sacrifice and dedication is required for service in the Air Force. A slide show usually captures the lengthy career with funny inserts from the most junior years of service,... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene, 437th Airlift Wing command chief

Into the deep blue sea ... of social media
August 17, 2010 — My mother is on Facebook. Yes, I said it ... the woman who can't set the time on her DVD player without having the offended machine shoot angry DVD's at her is now able to go online and poke, prod and update at her leisure. I tell you this only to say that if you haven't heard of social media, you're probably living at the bottom of the deep blue... MORE

Diamond Tips
August 17, 2010 — Self Improvement and VolunteerismI used to think that off-duty education, supporting base organizations and activities, and community service were to be looked at as one setting themselves apart or going above and beyond.When reading Air Force Instruction 36-2618, "The Enlisted Force Structure," however, I realized that not only are those things... MORE

How can you say thank you?
August 11, 2010 — As uniformed members in today's military, many have experienced a "Thank You." Since the tragic events which devastated our nation on Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have taken the time to greet service members by saying "Thank You." Sometimes the gratitude is disguised as a retail discount; others offer charitable gratitude towards a military cause. One... MORE

Commander's Comments
August 11, 2010 — Last week I went to the Mobility Air Forces Development Team at Randolph Air Force Base and scored more than 500 officer records. It was clear from the very first record that educational achievement was important. Accomplishing training and degrees showed initiative and the skills to balance precious time. Education is the essential framework to... MORE

How I learned to live
August 10, 2010 — I thought I was ready for war.I had gone through Army combat skills training at Ft. Lewis, Wash. I had squared away all my financial and legal documents. I even found a new confidence and a love for the military. My brother, Army Sgt. Ian Ralston, a combat medic, and I spoke on the phone while I was at Baltimore International Airport, just hours... MORE

Senior Airman Emerald Ralston sits with Army Sgt. Ian Ralston, her brother, at the Veterans Affairs Spinal Cord Injury Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Airman Ralston is a public affairs specialist with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. (Courtesy photo)

Diamond Tips
August 10, 2010 — Military etiquette: Etiquette is defined as common, everyday courtesy. The military world, like the civilian world, functions more smoothly and pleasantly when members practice good manners. Simple things, like saying "please" and "thank you," help the organization run smoother because people respond more enthusiastically when asked in a courteous... MORE

What your CGOC is doing for you
August 4, 2010 — The Joint Base Charleston Company Grade Officers Council has been busy during the last few months. They have been involved in several base events, such as sponsoring the Airmen Against Drunk Driving Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 game tournament at the Charleston Club which raised more than $200 for the program. In addition, the CGOC volunteered for... MORE

Command Chief’s Corner
August 4, 2010 — Discussion on the responsible use of alcohol is always on the agenda when I meet with our Airmen. When will I stop lamenting about this topic? Not anytime soon - the last drunken driving incident occurred on July 28. The danger is ever-present, and I hope leaders at all levels are keeping this topic at the forefront.July 4, 2009, and Nov 21, 2009,... MORE