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  • Don't forget where you came from

    How many of you have heard some one say "don't forget where you came from?" You know this saying carries a lot of weight, especially within the military establishment. The other evening I was looking for one of my most current enlisted performance reports and stumbled upon the first Airman

  • Put the "LEAD" in leadership

    The Air Force has been my home for almost 28 years. I have learned many lessons along the way and have had the opportunity to attend training and schools that our civilian counterparts could only dream of attending. I learned something from every supervisor I have ever worked for, in one form or

  • Portraits of courage

    Courage has many faces. It's not just found on convoy duty, in the cockpit of a jet or behind a 50-caliber gun. According to the dictionary, courage is the "mental or moral strength to persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty." Who better fits this description than the spouses and children

  • Spiritual wellness during the holiday season

    "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens; Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens; Brown paper packages tied up with strings; These are a few of my favorite things." Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers wrote the beautiful lyrics and music to the song "My Favorite Things" from the

  • Native American efforts not forgotten

    During World War II, Native American zeal to serve this country was so great that according to U.S. Army officials, the draft would not have been necessary if the country's entire population had enlisted in the same proportion as did American Indians. American Indians began enlisting in the late

  • AFSO21: everyone benefits from playing

    I know what you are thinking: another fad, another "bumper sticker," another case of Total Quality Management. It's particularly true for those of you who have been around a while. Over the years, our Air Force has looked for ways to improve things, often borrowing from the latest private sector

  • Why ask what went wrong?

    I enlisted in the Air Force as a young eager jet engine technician and remember hearing the comment "in aircraft maintenance, you have to have tough skin." I wasn't sure why that comment was made, but it didn't take me long to figure it out. A hundred maintenance actions were done correctly, but we

  • The key to success is to take it personal

    So, there's an Operational Readiness Inspection coming. You've heard many tidbits of advice recently on keys to success, so allow me to add one more: TAKE IT PERSONALLY. We have trained, practiced and evaluated you -- a lot. Now it's up to you. At the risk of showing my age, taking

  • Where have all the leaders gone?

    One of the most useful tools to measure a unit's climate is a survey of those members who have decided to leave the Air Force. Over the last few years, I've noticed a lot of those surveys have mentioned a lack of or poor leadership as a major reason not to reenlist. I've spent a lot of time thinking

  • Katrina allows Airmen to help in new way

    I have always heard the Air Force takes care of its own in times of need. I have also seen this put into practice when Airmen and their families are struck by tragedy. The events following Hurricane Katrina last year showed me this concept in a brand new way as 347th Rescue Wing Airmen put their