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  • Core values key to first term Airmen success

    My definition of being a first-term Airman is explained through the transition from our civilian lifestyle to the Air Force lifestyle. First-term Airmen are taught the basics of what the Air Force expects. They must build on that foundation to further succeed in their Air Force careers. As

  • Are you an Air Force worrier or Air Force warrior?

    According to the Merriam-Webster's dictionary...Worrier - one who feels or experiences concern or anxiety; inclined to worry or fret.Warrior - a person who fights in battles and is known for having courage and skill.With these definitions in mind, I would like to address certain issues impacting us

  • 'I have arrived!'

    When I made staff sergeant, I thought, "This is it! I have arrived!" My ego was quickly squashed when my supervisor informed me that not only was I going to continue the duties I was already performing, but now I also was getting three Airmen to supervise, mentor and lead. After several years of

  • A march to remember

    Producing the short documentary for the Bataan Memorial Death March marathon and half-marathon, led to an all-encompassing moment where I realized just how fortunate I am to be an Air Force broadcaster. I realized my career exposes me to beautiful sites, inspirational people and a breadth of

  • We're always deployed, so why OREs?

    One of the most frequent questions I hear regarding the upcoming operational readiness exercise is: "Since we're deployed so often, why do we need operational readiness exercises?" So why OREs?We need OREs because they help us sustain all facets of our required combat skill set. What we are doing

  • Less stress through financial readiness

    Even though the government did not shut down April 8 at midnight, as many feared it might, the effects of that close call were far reaching.Many government employees, including military members, found themselves reaching for their wallets - not to spend, but rather to see if they had enough cash on

  • Customs, courtesies crucial to mission success

    If you were to ask most people what military customs and courtesies are, you would more than likely get a variety of answers. I however, define military customs as a social convention stemming from tradition and enforced as an unwritten law. On the other hand, if the guidance is in written form,

  • AFAF assists those in need

    It's that time of year again, the time where all of the unit Air Force Assistance Fund representatives are canvassing their work centers, looking for people to donate money for several good causes. This is the one where Airmen take the opportunity to help other Airmen who may be in need of

  • Do you have brotitude?

    In aviation, attitude is a very valuable thing. An attitude indicator displays an aircraft's orientation to the horizon. Prior to takeoff, aircrew "cage" their standby attitude indicators to be level with the horizon. In this sense, cage means adjusting our flight instruments to show the true

  • Thinking like the enemy

    It's simple. If I think like the enemy, I will not only be able to defend against him, but ultimately defeat him.Very few people have ever requested I "think like a terrorist," but that's what makes anti-terrorism training so valuable.It also makes a lot of sense, but so often we get caught up in