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  • Balance is essential for resiliency of our Airmen

    In our nation's recent history, with an ever-changing environment, our stress levels have increased with events.Frequent deployments, budget constraints, furloughs, Reduction-In-Force actions and recession all contribute the strain.  It is difficult to focus on the balance of the four pillars:

  • Focus on what's important in order to lead

    The Air Force is a leadership organization. Everyone who serves will, at some point, need to step to the front and direct others, therefore, you need to know where you stand.Every one of us needs to know what is important in order to effectively lead. With that in mind, I present my top 10 list of

  • Farewell Golden Bears and stay strong

    I have a framework I like to use when facing challenges: In the beginning, start strong; in the middle, stay strong; and at the end, finish strong.While simple, it is not necessarily easy to execute.During the past 19 months, I shared that framework of "start strong, stay strong, and finish strong"

  • True professionals must value honesty, integrity

    Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines professionalism as "the skill, good judgment and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well."In today's Air Force, there is not necessarily a consensus when it comes to what a professional is. Most of the disciplinary and

  • Slicing off PIE in work place makes difference

    As we recently celebrated the life and extraordinary efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King and as we honor our great presidents on upcoming Presidents Day, have you ever wondered if you can make a difference or influences others? Have you done your part in your job performance or does your involvement

  • Adaptation a survival trait in modern days

    Sir Winston S. Churchill once said, "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."If this is, in fact, true, I humbly submit that the Air Force is striving for perfection. From the birth of our service in 1947, we've experienced phenomenal changes in our equipment, capabilities and

  • Technology shows greatest change across career

    Comprehensive. It's a common word in today's Air Force.In fact, it is now used in the title of Air Force Instruction 90-506 Comprehensive Airman Fitness. The AFI defines Comprehensive Airman's Fitness as a holistic approach to fitness that includes fitness in the mental, physical, social and

  • Good leaders face down incalcuable odds

    Although you've likely never heard of him, Willie Burton is a great leader.The young man's only notoriety outside of his hometown of Fairdale, Kentucky, was earning the regional most outstanding wrestler honors for high school wrestling.What makes Willie's story compelling is that he won the

  • Staff Sgt. 'Joe' sets precedent for Airman's career

    Remembering back, I entered the Air Force in August 1987. Raise your hand if you weren't born yet.Like everyone else, I spent my time in Basic Military Training followed by technical school prior to heading off to my first duty station. It was during my time at tech school that I received my first

  • Airmen serve as ambassadors always

    Congratulations. You are the 1 percent. You may not be a millionaire, in fact, if you chose this line of work it's highly unlikely, but better than that, you can proudly say you are one of the less than 1 percent of Americans currently serving in the military.You read that right, less than one