Commentary Search

  • Commander praises Airmen for DUI reduction

    Since January 2004, Elmendorf has had 119 DUIs. That's a lot. But the good news is that nearly half were in 2004 - 56 - and less than a quarter of them - 24 - were in 2006. Ladies and gentlemen, the trend is steadily declining and we've cut our DUIs by more than half in under 2 years. That's very

  • Learn to appreciate what you have

    Is it just me, or does there appear to be an increased amount of complaining coming from the American populous? Like most Americans, I get my news from the TV, radio or print media, and lately all I get is a lot of negativity about how bad someone's life really is. I'll be the first to admit there

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 'A day on ... Not a day off'

    As we celebrate the world-changing movements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and countless other civil rights leaders, their actions resonate in the theme of January's Martin Luther King, Jr. luncheon: remember, act, celebrate, and it's a day on ... not a day off. Remember Remember past challenges,

  • New Year’s Resolution: pay yourself first

    Are you searching for a New Year's resolution? Many Americans make resolutions this time of year that focus on getting their finances in order so they can start investing for the future. Budgets are created with the goal of sticking to them no matter what and usually by February, people realize that

  • December 7, 1941: The Sleeping Giant Awakens

    On an early Sunday morning 65 years ago, America changed forever. Shortly before 0800 on December 7th, 1941, the skies over the Hawaiian island of Oahu were darkened by 353 aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy--their mission: to destroy America's military establishment in the Pacific ... and

  • Get in the Wheelbarrow

    After completing a highly dangerous tightrope walk over Niagara Falls in appalling wind and rain, 'The Great Zumbrati' was met by an enthusiastic supporter, who urged him to make a return trip, this time pushing a wheelbarrow, which the spectator had thoughtfully brought along. The Great Zumbrati

  • Management by the number

    Over the last 11 years I have come across many forms of leadership, some good and unfortunately some bad. However, one thing that remained the same is that you can always learn from either type. I have come up with five simple steps to follow that will always produce good followers and team-players:

  • Fighting through difficulties of war

    Tears rolled down my face. The casket was heavy and the slow walk up to the C-17's cargo ramp seemed much longer than it was. We all knew his name, but it didn't matter. He was an Airman. He was one of ours. To say I was honored to carry the flag-draped casket of Senior Airman Adam Servais would be

  • Attending ceremonies – part of military tradition

    A couple of months ago, I had the honor of being the presiding officer for a Chief Master Sergeant's retirement ceremony from my squadron. Prior to the ceremony, I met several times with the Chief, to talk about what kind of ceremony he wanted. Every time he would say "Ma'am, whatever you come up

  • Airmen these days

    It's always funny to me when people say, "Airmen these days! They just aren't like the Airmen were when I came in the military." This, of course, is always said with disdain. Ironically, when crusty old master sergeants say that, well, they're right. When I came in the Air Force in the mid-80s,