Commentaries

  • Spring cleaning, household chemicals

    This is the time of year when people engage in spring cleanup chores. Often materials that have sat in garages and basements for extended periods of time are now rediscovered. While most items pose no risk, it's common for people to find items they can't identify or are in damaged containers. Many

  • Professional reading benefits all Airmen

    As military professionals we have numerous personal and professional responsibilities, a concept unlikely to surprise anyone reading this. Many of these responsibilities, like physical fitness, customs and courtesies, correct wear of the uniform, promotion testing preparation and successfully

  • What you need to know about rabies

    Now that spring is here outdoor activities will likely increase, along with the possibility of contact with wildlife, which in turn increases the chances of contracting rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted from infected animals to people and

  • Develop yourself for the future

    The recent 55th Wing Commander's Conference, offered commander's insight into the direction of our great Air Force. One of the many topics discussed by wing leadership during the conference was the force-shaping initiative announced by the Air Force Personnel Center. We discussed its impact and

  • What is records management and why should I care?

    What is records management? Information is at the center of everything an organization does including strategy management, research and development and compliance. How an organization manages that information and its records can directly affect its ability to comply with instructions and guidance,

  • Safety springs forward

    It has been one long and frigid winter, but spring has finally arrived. Many of us were hibernating in our homes all winter and are eager to get out and enjoy the warm weather. Many will be excited to take part in activities the cold kept them from enjoying such as mountain biking, hiking, boating

  • Alcohol Awareness Month - Understanding alcohol's impact

    Since 1987, April has been designated Alcohol Awareness Month in the United States. The purpose of this designation is to raise awareness of how we use alcohol and its effects. Though the observance has obviously been around for 23 years, I sometimes wonder if we as Airmen fully understand the

  • The plague of modern man, stress

    Stress can be an everyday option and most of us choose it, or at least choose to do nothing about it because it appears difficult to avoid. According to Dr. Margaret Davis, stress can be defined as "any change you must adapt to," ranging from actual threat of danger to the excitement of falling in

  • A sense of history

    In 1994 I was deployed to southern France supporting Operation Deny Flight. During the 50th anniversary of the D-day invasion of Normandy, which began the liberation of France and the defeat of Nazi Germany. This was the only time I've ever sent back for my service dress uniform during a deployment.

  • What service before self really means

    Recent events have given me the opprtunity to reflect on Air Force core values -- integrity, service before self and excellence in all we do. The one I hold above all others is service before self. This simple little three word phrase, in my opinion, is the bedrock of our nation's armed forces and