Feb. 11, 2014 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
Dec. 24, 2013 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
Dec. 12, 2013 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
Dec. 11, 2013 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
Nov. 26, 2013 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
Nov. 21, 2013 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.
Nov. 20, 2013 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
Nov. 14, 2013 Attention Airmen: Air Force holds sexual assault offenders accountable, convictions now online Our military justice system plays an indispensable part in ensuring good order and discipline among our Airmen and maintaining Operational and Personal Readiness in our Wing. However, for the system to be most effective, all military members and civilians must have trust in the process. In an effort
Oct. 22, 2013 55th Wing in the Fight Nuclear weapons changed not only the course of war on the battlefield, but the very nature of strategic conflict. The U.S. and Soviet Union rolled straight from World War II into the Cold War and "Nuclear Deterrence" became the new buzzword for national security. Originally flying fighters during
Oct. 3, 2013 October is Cyber Security Awareness Month As I sat down to write this, I wanted to start with a statement about how technology has found its way into every part of our daily lives, but every way I found to state that simple fact was followed by the voice in my head going, 'no kidding.' Putting on paper what is firmly in the category of