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  • Why continuous process improvement?

    Nearly 20 years ago, I was honored to be the 5th Medical Group’s Airman of the Quarter, chosen to represent my group before the wing awards board. With my freshly lint-brushed uniform, a new haircut, and a head full of current events and knowledge of Air Force history, I reported to the panel,

  • The “We’s” have it

    Twenty-one years ago a kid from Cincinnati, Ohio, departed for Air Force basic training. He did so, not due to an overwhelming desire to serve his country, but as a rehabilitation opportunity of sorts. This kid needed discipline and the opportunity to reinvent himself. The USAF did just that,

  • Change can be “tough”

    Change is tough. Despite the fact that change is almost constant in our lives, our initial reaction is usually one of derision and skepticism. There is usually some excitement there, too, especially when the change is big. The mixture of uncertainty and excitement is uncomfortable, so we resist.

  • Let your people do their job

    Recently, while deployed I came in one morning and saw things were more hectic than usual. The two master sergeants on shift gave me the morning update and the day wasn’t starting off well. Planes were broken, the flying schedule was a mess and my people were running around with their “hair on

  • Balancing the Inverted Pyramid

    For the last two years I have had the tremendous honor of serving maintainers as a squadron commander, an uncommon path for someone who grew up in the flying community. When I received the call, I wondered how my skills would translate and what I could offer the unit. I found out quickly what I did

  • Have a plan

    Last week I used Uber for the first time. As an attorney I must make it clear that no federal endorsement of Uber should be intended nor implied. However, disclaimer aside, I have to admit it was easier than I thought.

  • Know your Airmen, provide feedback

    Some of us run from confrontation, while others never seem to shy away from it. I like to say I fall somewhere in the middle. Naturally, I’m an introvert, but I have learned that good leaders have to step out of their comfort zones and have uncomfortable conversations with their subordinates.

  • Challenge the status quo

    We are all familiar with the Airman’s Creed. What does it mean to you? What do our family and friends think when they hear it? The creed is pretty clear about who we should be, but sometimes our personal perceptions may interfere with meeting its lofty goal.

  • Take every opportunity, you never know where it will lead

    When opportunity “knocks” you answer, right? That’s what I did last year when I was selected to lead Joint Team Records, responsible for moving presidential records, gifts and artifacts of the outgoing administration in accordance with the Presidential Records Act. It was a tremendous opportunity