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  • Be Prepared!

    As I think back to my days in the Boy Scouts, I remember the familiar motto "Be Prepared!" I learned a lot of life lessons in the Boy Scouts, and this motto is definitely one of the most memorable. The charge to Be Prepared can serve us all well. During my last Commander's Call in September, we

  • Are you and your family resilient?

    The United States Air Force accomplishes amazing things every day and it is our great warriors who make it happen. No other nation's air force can compare with what we do in 24 hours. Our airpower profession demands 100 percent of our energy, concentration and will to ensure the mission gets done on

  • What will your legacy be? Make the present count

    Since I supervised my first Airman nearly 21 years ago, it has amazed me how many in the enlisted corps don't want that next stripe. I've heard all kinds of reasons like "I love the job I'm doing now," "I'll get orders if I get promoted," "I won't be eligible for an assignment to (name the place) if

  • The Power of Partnership

    Have you ever noticed that little line painted on the street right outside of the main gate? On one side it says "base," and on the other, "city." Around our work places, housing, and flight line is a fence marking the perimeter of Travis Air Force Base. There are obvious physical attributes that

  • Fiscal year's end has its intricacies

    The mission of the 60th Contracting Squadron is to acquire the goods and services necessary for the operations and maintenance of Travis Air Force Base. Between half and three-fourths of the annual funding for these goods and services is received during the last quarter of the fiscal year, July

  • Scholarship money can help with education

    I know, you have heard it a thousand times "get your degree," or "advance your degree." There is no doubt that you will earn more money in your lifetime with a degree, period. That's not what I want to talk to you about.I am going to try to make your education journey a little easier by showing you

  • 'Why?' a question of generation

    Gen X, Gen Y, the Me generation, the Millenials, the "Lost" generation; the list goes on and on. There are a lot of biased stereotypes out there, but two persist: that of the rigid oldster who is obsolete and can't adapt, and that of the texting youngster who won't pay attention or take anything on

  • Leaders can make a lasting impression

    As I see it, mentoring is one of the most invaluable actions we undertake as Airmen and should be applied in every aspect of our daily lives. Sure, our primary, day-to-day Air Force mission "to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace" has not changed, but I believe we also have another

  • Members exceed standards

    It usually happens when we're faced with a task for which we're completely unprepared. We knew it was coming for a while, but because it's something we either know little about or simply procrastinated over, we wound up asking ourselves, "What's the minimum I need to do to complete this task?"

  • It's necessary to prepare for challenges ahead

    "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."--John F. KennedyOur chief of staff of the Air Force, Gen. Norton Schwartz, has said, "In our professional development, we must remain mindful of the lessons of the past while we continue to prevail everywhere our enemies choose to engage"