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  • Maintaining balance

    The Air Force core values: Integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do. Many articles have been written about these and rightly so. They are critical to the success of the Air Force and our great country. I would like to talk about them as they relate to the concept of

  • Feeback best fuel to help Airmen

    Catch phrases, mottoes, and vision statements give us a peek into the values of an individual or organization. They also are great ways to start a conversation. Every time I permanently change station, one of the first catch phrases written on my white board when I setup my workspace is "Feedbacks

  • Are you proficient or merely qualified at your work?

    I love the Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. You "fire expert" once and are recognized for shooting prowess for the rest of your life, albeit while standing still and firing at a stationary target.Are you proficient with the M9 pistol or M4/M16 rifles? Can you successfully engage a

  • Hope, signs of it, abound all around us

    Rummaging through a pile of unread books in my office one day, years ago, I came across a little volume by the author Michael Downey titled, "Hope Begins Where Hope Begins." Intrigued by the title, I found myself drawn in a personal reflection of which I have had countless times over the years,

  • Dedication to others helps us shine as individuals

    I have been an avid reader of leadership and motivation authors for many years and themes spliced together from two of my favorite authors have become integral to my approach to leadership success in the Air Force as well as life. As described in "Habit Two" in Stephen R. Covey's top-selling book,

  • Practice proper etiquette at gym

    Fitness and exercise are integral parts of personal and mission readiness. Most people, whether they are service members or not, utilize the fitness center or off base gyms for reasons such as maintaining fitness standards, performance or health and wellness. The gym is a place to train, relieve

  • What is your nametag's reputation?

    I have learned "growing up" as an Airman that I have a responsibility to protect the reputation of the nametag I wear next to my heart each and every day--the United States Air Force. It means that we are part of the greatest military ever known and we have a duty to uphold the high standards and

  • What does not guilty mean for victims?

    As a victim advocate with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, I have been educated in sexual assault statistics, victim support and the complicated landscape that is sexual assault. Much of the dialogue of sexual assault focuses on victims and their rights, healing and support, with

  • Ten traps to avoid to hold on to your best people

    A few nights ago, I was catching up with an old friend through the miracle of Facebook and read a link shared by a former colleague titled, "Top 10 Ways to Ensure Your Best People Will Quit" by Mel Kleiman. What really caught my attention was his additional sarcastic comment, "Nice job, Air Force!"

  • Intentional or not, people have an effect

    When life gets busy, it becomes easy to view the world in a way that only considers how events impact us personally, as individuals. When this happens, we begin to lose sight of the ways we affect the world and that lost awareness can be costly. That point of view can be terribly inefficient. It can