Commentary Search

  • Defiance v. distress: Digging deeper to help Airmen

    In my four years as a first sergeant, I've seen the good, bad and the ugly; however, I would not be effective if I allowed the bad and ugly of the past to overshadow my decisions of today. Instead, those experiences have allowed me to identify questionable decision-making from my fellow leaders

  • Living in Orange: My deployment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    October 2012: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).0545 hours: my alarm goes off. I reach for my cell phone. Several texts throughout the night report fighting inching ever closer to Goma. The M23 rebels are continuing their offensive; this time killing a man, woman and child in a village

  • My vacation to Moore, Okla.

    I was on vacation in Oklahoma at the end of May, to visit family. My wife and I were actually looking forward to a change in climate and the potential for some thunderstorms, but were not expecting what would come May 20. I grew up in central Oklahoma, in the areas directly affected by the recent

  • EPR system not broken if used correctly

    I'm not certain how many of you had an opportunity to watch Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody's recent comments regarding the enlisted performance report, but I strongly recommend you take a minute to visit the Air Force Portal and check it out. Our leaders at the very highest levels are

  • JFEX through a new Airman's eyes

    "The drop is in 12 minutes!" shouted a crew member, struggling to be heard over the roar of the mighty C-17 Globemaster III's four engines, each putting out approximately 40,000 pounds of thrust. Quickly I made my way down the ladder from the flight deck and started the perilous walk towards my seat

  • Identifying seven signs of terrorism

    Every day we see signs of unsafe acts and bad driving habits by ordinary folks. Some common examples would be people walking or jogging late at night without reflective clothing in the same direction as the traffic flow or people talking on cell phones, eating fast food or reading maps while

  • I'm ready, are you?

    For many, what initially comes to mind when thinking of U.S. military men and women are images of strength and courage. Imposing Captain America-like figures who seem to be chiseled from stone rather than born of flesh and when not fighting global injustice, spend their time working-out. In certain

  • Wearing leadership

    "Six-thirty-third Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Senior Airman - I mean, Staff Sgt. Denton speaking."It happened again and again without fail. I had to correct myself every time I answered my office phone. It was more than a little frustrating. However, as unnerving as it was, my mistake also made me

  • Counting down the days: three steps to prepare for the deployment at home

    The 30 minute drive to the airport seemed quicker than usual. My wife, who stared at me as I drove down the highway, slowly leaned her head on my shoulder as if to reassure me that everything would be alright."It's only six months," she said softly. "I know that everything will be OK." I nodded;

  • Betrayed, drugged, raped by wingmen

    Since joining the Air Force in 2010, the term resiliency is one that I hear often. I joined the Air Force hoping to make a better life for myself and to have a career. I never imagined that I'd have to worry about being drugged and raped by the people I'm supposed to be able to trust with my life.