Commentary Search

  • When to say “Uncle”

    Recently the Air Force reduced the number of its active-duty personnel in order to meet the congressionally mandated end strength of 359,700. The cuts will continue, as the Air Force intends to separate an additional 40,000 personnel. In the course of the cuts, a popular mantra was "do more with

  • Preparedness: The critical key to success

    Funny if you think about it; how many times you use the word "prepare." You can prepare food, prepare for a test, prepare for an argument, prepare for combat, etc. It seems like it is such a widely used, common word, and yet, so few people actually PREPARE when they should. Living here in Alaska,

  • 'The times, they are a changin'

    When I made my decision to join the Air Force in the late 1970s, we had just finished the Vietnam war, Jimmy Carter was president and (similar to the aftermath of every big war), huge cuts had been made to the military. One of my favorite folk singers of the day was Bob Dylan. He had no singing

  • Military's Pacific presence -- but why?

    I struggled to find a theme for this article. As I woke up on the morning of July 5 after a night of great fireworks, the topic fell right in my lap. I learned that North Korea had test fired multiple missiles into the Sea of Japan. I had followed the launch speculation for weeks, but after a while,

  • Core Values --- Making the Right Choices

    In today's Air Force we are doing more with less - the pressure is relentless and the cost is high; how do we professionally and personally maintain our integrity, service and excellence? Surveying an array of Airmen the responses varied but the common theme revolved around "the right thing to do."

  • Solutions to problems must pass three tests

    I am a former squadron officer school instructor. The primary motto of that school is ‘cogito ergo sum’ which translates to “I think, therefore I am.” Put another way, my existence and survival comes from the fact that I use my mind to understand my environment and how I fit into it. Some say the

  • July 4th: More than a Holiday…A Celebration of Freedom

    This Fourth of July marks the 230th anniversary of the day 56 brave patriots signed the Declaration of Independence – the document that marked the birth of our Nation. Those early Americans knew that this declaration was only the beginning of a long struggle for freedom and independence. Since that

  • Son remembers his father’s, family’s journey

    We all carry the baggage and lessons of our ancestors. They shape and mold who we are. I thought it would be fitting on Father’s Day to share my immigrant father’s story with you. His journey inspired my Air Force service, and I hope it will make you proud to be an American, grateful for your

  • Professionalism main lesson at NCOA

    “The times, they are a changin’.” I’m sure most folks who have been in the Air Force for a couple of years have heard the term “re-blued”. It is a term people use when someone goes through some type of experience which makes them feel more patriotic and pro-Air Force – kind of like the feeling a

  • Leadership: learned behavior that some never master

    They stand on the parade field. Soldiers, most of them proud to be part of something great, bigger than themselves. Chin in, chest out and shoulders back. A change of command, one leader goes and another one comes; the never ending cycle of military unit leadership. The Soldiers wonder about the new