April 27, 2011 We're Always Deployed - So Why OREs? One of the most frequent questions I hear regarding the upcoming operational readiness exercise is: "Since we're deployed so often, why do we need OREs?" The standard we have set in the 55th Wing in executing deployed air power is phenomenal! It is true that we are accustomed to being a wing with
March 24, 2011 Saving…Just Do It! The financial crisis of the past few years continues as recent events at home and abroad have stymied the modest economic improvements the country had enjoyed. As a result, many Americans employed in the private sector have lost their jobs or have seen drastic reductions in their income. The impact
March 15, 2011 Stress: Friend or Foe? High operations tempo is the normal state of affairs in today's Air Force. Certainly, very few people at Offutt would disagree with this. Add to this the normal schedule of inspections, ceremonies and the almost daily changes in the way we do our business, and most of us feel stress. Stress is
March 7, 2011 Has technology replaced respect in our workplace? My adult children are into the latest and greatest advancements in technology: Blackberries, iPads and Droids. These devices are made to elevate us from the burden of time-consuming actions such as hearing someone's voice or laughter or even a sigh of sadness. We can use Twitter, texting, online
Feb. 14, 2011 Making good choices I am an Air Force officer of 18 years and a father of five boys, but I don't claim to be a smart man. My wife, on the other hand, is brilliant!While I've been off having fun being an Airman, learning to fly and trying to be a good leader, she has been at home raising our five boys into quality young
Feb. 14, 2011 The three A's of a successful Airman There are three A's that I see as defining the success an individual can achieve in the United States Air Force.The first A represents the attitude of our Airmen that perform the day-to-day mission. The attitude an Airman carries provides the foundation for the belief that anything is possible in
Feb. 7, 2011 The Rules: A Simple Guide to Get “Back to the Basics” Ever since my arrival at Offutt last summer, there has been an emphasis on compliance and going "back to the basics." We have had two major inspections from Air Combat Command and a Nuclear Staff Assistance visit. This comes on the heels of the 2009 message from the chief of staff of the Air Force
Feb. 7, 2011 What have you done for your duty section lately? Having come up through both the enlisted and officer ranks, I found there is a period of time in the junior grades where the biggest struggle is to prove yourself. As one of many new Airmen or lieutenants, you feel the need to constantly volunteer, work the big projects, attempt to rise up above the
Jan. 12, 2011 Servicemembers' sacrifice fuels the Pacific theater George Washington, in his Presidential State of the Union address of December of 1793, said, "If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it. If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for
Dec. 17, 2010 Invest Your Time When another year closes out, many people take time to reflect upon the previous year, assess areas where improvements can be made, make goals, and quickly get back to the daily grind of this activity we call work.As we make goals and determine those areas to focus on in the upcoming year, I urge