Commentaries

  • Challenges: Just deal with them or overcome them

    We in the Air Force are fast approaching very challenging times as both individuals and organizations. There has been much written and spoken recently about the upcoming force shaping efforts to trim nearly 25,000 Airmen from our ranks.Not to diminish the situation facing individuals in the least, I

  • Thoughts on nation building

    I've often joked that I went to Iraq to fly something more modern than a 50 year old airplane; that aircraft being the mighty combat Cessna used for Iraqi pilot training. The reality, however, was that I was blessed to partner with a nation for a year to help re-ignite their smoldering Air Force

  • Changing Language Changes Thinking

    Recently I learned that there are people who want to do away with the word "History". Since the word has "His" in it, the word is considered to be sexist by these folks. I am not sure what they want to change it to, maybe "Ourstory" or "Oldpeoplestory," but the idea is change the language; change

  • Self-Discipline

    A wing commander I served with a few years ago asked his squadron commanders an interesting question. "If you could wish for one trait that would help you succeed in life, what would it be?" His answer was surprising to many of us, but it was also quite profound.The answer he gave was

  • Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukah! Happy Holidays!

    In our increasingly secular world, there is a growing misunderstanding that it is safer to say "Happy Holidays" during the Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza season, than to name the specific holiday which you or most other people celebrate. I am always drawn to explore these interesting dilemmas. I once

  • High-Value Airmen

    "Greater love has no man, then that he lay down his life for another." That is a quote from the Bible. It is a statement of sacrifice, of giving of oneself for others. We admire this when we see it. The police, firefighters and other first responders who responded at the Twin Towers on 9/11 are an

  • Strategic Networking

    I've always considered myself a personable, outgoing person, and I've routinely preferred face-to-face interaction instead of e-mails and phone calls when feasible. It's no secret that while a global entity, the Air Force really is a small community and we consistently cross paths with our

  • Personal Creed

    The James Farley Post Office in New York City has an inscription that reads, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Most people assume this is the U.S. Postal Creed, but the Post Office has no official creed.

  • Attitude

    Some time ago I read an article that rated attitude as the number one trait for success among leaders. I've observed that the vast majority of leaders and mentors I've known throughout my life, those who have helped mold and shape me into the person I am today, radiated a positive attitude. Each of