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  • Big problems, little solutions

    "Hey boss, what's that noise? Never mind, it's just the T.V. We must've left it on all weekend. Good thing we don't pay the electric bill! Oh, well. At least the spiders got to watch a few good football games."As much as our arachnid friends might have enjoyed watching Oklahoma beat up on whatever

  • For Which It Stands

    The flag of the United States of America is one of the most recognizable symbols of our Nation. People from other nations across the world know our flag when they see it. Most of us grew up in a home where our parents, grandparents or neighbors flew the flag. Now we are grown up, and many of us

  • AMRTP: the way forward in motorcycle education

    Like most motorcyclists, I thought I was a pretty good rider. I mean, I've taken the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course, I've been riding for three years, and I've spent most of my time practicing good motorcycle riding techniques with a veteran rider. I can even admit that I've

  • Combat fishing

    Anyone who has been stationed in Alaska and has attempted to salmon fish there is probably familiar with the term "combat fishing." Way up north, this term is used to describe a situation where salmon-hungry fishermen line up shoulder-to-shoulder in a river and perform a pseudo-rhythmic kind of

  • Life preservers save lives

    Back in November 2008, I was enjoying an unseasonably warm day at Heber Springs reservoir with my family and some friends. We started the day with on the pontoon boat, with our friends riding on their jet skis. After awhile, they invited me to take one for a spin. Not having a lot of experience on

  • Dear drunk driver

    Dear drunk driver,We don't know each other. We never met. That is until our lives literally collided. It was a night/early morning I wish I could forget and, in some ways, have forgotten. I guess there is part of me that also wishes I could remember more.The night started out great, I was with my

  • Where was my wingman?

    In my six-and-a-half-year journey into the blue, I've become a firm believer in the concept of the Air Force family. In fact, I wrote a commentary about this very topic during my first stint in Air Combat Command titled "Air Force family, not just a catchphrase."As I approach almost a year into my

  • Left behind

    A 4-year old girl with shoulder-length, light-brown hair and big brown eyes sat on the edge of the countertop with her legs dangling over the side, swinging back and forth. A strong man three times her size with hardworking hands touched her gently, and looked at her with tears streaming down his

  • Thank you

    I am reminded of the importance of a personal document I used recently to articulate my vision, goals, philosophy and expectations to Airmen in our organization. I titled the document, "Perspectives of the Vice." I use it as a guide when speaking to Airman to deliver a consistent message. Let me

  • Are you drinking responsibly?

    I drink alcohol. I don't need it to enjoy myself, but on the occasion when I want to drink an alcoholic beverage, I do so without any shame attached. But Air Force policy on responsible drinking behavior is never far from me.From 1995 until 2010, I served our Air Force and its Airmen as a first