Commentary Search

  • Leading from the front

    One of the first things I discuss with new supervisors is that a leader must define their leadership philosophy and be able to communicate this philosophy to their Airmen. This helps troops frame how we, as leaders, approach situations and make decisions. I recommend a "lead from the front"

  • How will you celebrate the Fourth of July?

    While growing-up in Milwaukee, Wis., we had a huge parade on the south side of Milwaukee that I actually marched in as part of our school and church display. We would usually have a cook-out in the afternoon with relatives, which included watermelon seed spitting contests. But the highlight of the

  • Our uniform means a lot to those who serve

    The reality of my pending retirement really didn't hit me until the other day when I went to hang up my uniforms. I had just finished cleaning them earlier that day as part of my weekly routine -- wash, dry, hang on a hangar and put away. Done! However, something caught my attention that particular

  • Keeping children safe while surfing the web

    Not unlike many others at Mountain Home Air Force Base, the 366th Fighter Wing staff judge advocate is deployed. I am a reservist called to active duty to lead the Legal Office through the beginning of these summer months. So, not unlike many of you, we have prepared for time away from our families.

  • 'Bystanders' key during Critical Days of Summer

    Across the Air Force, commanders will soon begin to warn their staff about the dangers associated with summer activities as part of the Critical Days of Summer safety campaign. This period of barbeques and water skiing, fireworks and family vacations is the time of the year our Airmen are most

  • DUI equation

    Time after time, we've heard our Air Force leaders plead for us to "have a plan" before consuming alcoholic beverages. These briefings happen at commander's calls, staff meetings, and one-on-one with supervisors. Despite this emphasis, a lot of it doesn't seem to work. I have attended meetings hours

  • Doing more with less

    Doing more with less. We've all heard the phrase and I've seen it become a reality over the past 19 years on active duty. When I pinned on my second lieutenant bars, the Air Force had more than 600,000 active-duty Airmen; we were fighting a cold war from permanent bases; Iraq was fighting Iran; no

  • Sexual assault: the silent crime

    Sexual assault is often described as the "silent crime." Although prevention education and training efforts have increased significantly across the nation, and particularly within the Air Force, there continues to be a steady increase of this crime. Under the Congressional mandated Department of

  • Reaching out on South American deployment

    Imagine a child who only has one meal a day, or one who spends hours in the dump looking for something to eat or sell. While these circumstances may seem unthinkable, my deployment to South America gives me the chance to combat this type of poverty on a daily basis. Two months ago, I deployed with

  • Do I have to PCS?

    The question, "Do I have to PCS," remains a debated, sometimes controversial subject at Mountain Home and across the Air Force.So what's the correct answer?From the "big Air Force" perspective, the answer is easy. The Air Force moves Airmen to meet mission needs. The not-so-easy answer pertains to