Commentary Search

Commentaries

  • Invest time to help Airmen

    Think back to when you joined the Air Force.  Did you know everything about your AFSC, how the promotion system works, assignments, performance evaluations, deployments and the list goes on? I would have to say no, however, I would bet that at multiple points and times throughout your service

  • 'It is what it is' - but is that the way it has to be?

    I catch myself saying it all too often.  "It is what it is." You probably hear it said a lot.  You might even say it yourself on occasion."The training was terrible, but it is what it is."  "The commander's policy is a complete waste of time, but it is what it is."  "Our squadron's process is broken

  • Keys to success: Social and emotional intelligence

    Air Force members work seamlessly together with a common mission in mind, but sometimes it's easier said than done.We come from all parts of the world and we communicate and perceive each other in different ways. Your ability to lead or follow directly impacts the mission and your career

  • Career broadening strengthens Airmen

    Growing up in my neighborhood meant playing soccer. We played together as a team with the same tough coach for 12 years and always made it to the State Finals.  Our coach made us train year round and required us to join the swim team, run track, and take salsa dance lessons. We did not initially

  • As numbers shrink, AF can do more with better

    I am happy to say that over the past eight years I have served in the world's greatest Air Force. I attribute that accolade without hesitation as I think about why it is true.New recruits go to basic military training shedding a lot of whom they are to become disciplined Airmen.  Next, most spend

  • Focused leadership essential to misssion

    How many people have heard the phrase "stay focused?"The ability to stay focused is an art, a skill that is learned over time and essential in order to be an effective leader and critical to the success of our Air Force mission. Staying focused is more important today than ever before because of our

  • Officer hopes no one sees same doctors

    I'm sure everyone has his or her favorite horror story that is shared in groups when complaining about Air Force medicine.I know that complaining about Air Force organizations, whether it be maintenance, mission support, medical or operations, can be a go-to pastime around the base. Well, I'd like

  • Leadership is foundation of all we do

    A lot of words have been written on what leadership is, how to achieve it and how to apply it. I will add my few simple words to the discussion and say leadership is the foundation of everything we do. It is not simply telling people what to or imposing your will on others.Leadership is the basis,

  • What's so wrong with "bleeding blue?"

    As the Airman Leadership School commandant, I have the opportunity to mentor and learn from our next generation's leaders. While at ALS, the students encounter 4.5 weeks of rigorous leadership training. In fact, the course's rigor is by design and evaluated by the Community College of the Air Force

  • Lessons learned in the Air Force

    This is my first command.  I spent my first eight-and-a-half years as a medical laboratory technician and couldn't imagine a better job in or out of the Air Force.After my first deployment, I had the opportunity to apply for a commission and I assumed once I graduated I would become a medical