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  • There I was...: Of close calls and the value of training

    There I was on my first deployment as an aircraft commander. My goal was to keep my head down, fly a lot and do everything I could to not get noticed. I wanted to successfully fly the missions that were assigned to my crew and me, while not bringing attention to myself for being the new guy or the

  • Galvanize

    It's time for us to galvanize. These are the redundant words of my favorite running tune. The true definition of the word galvanize involves a chemical-electroplating of steel or iron with zinc to make it ultimately corrosion proof.My interpretation is simply to come together to become stronger. On

  • 'Innocent until proven . . .'

    Guilty?We've all seen the media lately - the news stories, the articles, the speeches and even a movie regarding sexual assault in the military. The recent awareness campaign has served to remind us all that sexual assault in the military should not be tolerated.Let me be clear up front, no one is

  • Leadership starts with why

    I recently had the unique privilege to spend time listening to and talking with Simon Sinek, author of the 2012 Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force's Reading List book, "Start with Why." If you have not heard him speak, read this book, or perhaps watched his technology, entertainment and design

  • Back to nutritional basics

    I was watching a commercial on TV the other day, advertising the virtues of one of those ubiquitous energy drinks. The gist of the commercial was, that the little bottle contained all the micronutrients (in the form of a couple vitamins) and caffeine one needed to fuel your body for several hours.

  • There I was...: Of angels and heroes who kept us safe

    There I was taking my first step off of a C-17, arriving in a foreign land. I felt from that point on that my life would never be the same.I saw, I heard, I ran to and hid what I had grown accustomed to during that temporary life. During most nights as I lay in my bed in my wooden room in Bagram,

  • Staying on point amidst challenges

    Some call it the "fog of war," but I like to call it daily chaff. You know, the distractions that can sometimes lead to increased tension and anxiety in the workplace or on the homefront. If you follow the headlines, you know the many effects of sequestration are definitely adding to the stress on

  • The Doolittle Raid remembered

    I'll admit it, I'm a history geek. I enjoy the black and white documentaries on the History Channel. Even as a young boy, I marveled at the accomplishments and bravery of the World War II generation.In 1972, while living in California, I attended an air show and watched a fly-by of a B-25. The

  • 'A house divided...'

    I am going to make this short and sweet. I have closely followed the issue of sexual assault in our Air Force and in our military overall: reading the reports on the numbers; reading talking points posted by our most senior civilian and military leaders; and attending commander's calls where the

  • 'Service'

    Service means what to you? Is it serving food at a barbecue? Or is it serving those in need at a homeless shelter? They are both service. How does it relate to the uniform you wear every single day? The uniform is a symbol of your service and you are the instrument who carries it out. Service has