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Commentary Search

  • Lay a solid foundation

    “From the ground up” or “starting from scratch” are common phrases deployers hear frequently, and the concept seems simple. Yet, when applying that to an entire installation with limited resources, the task can seem overwhelming. It’s tough to prioritize what to complete first because everything is

  • LISTENING: The forgotten component to communication

    Effective communication is the key to a successful organization. We are taught throughout our military career about verbal and written communication. However, one of the most important components of communicating is listening, and we receive very little training on how to be effective listeners.

  • Adapt to your Environment

    Deployed operations are intense. Leaders at every level must adapt to mission demands quickly to produce consistent, effective, and sustainable combat and combat support capability despite the challenges of building a cohesive team from individuals who have never worked together, high turn-over and

  • This Deployment – Leadership, Integrity and Commitment

    We all joined the military at different ages, motivated by different circumstances. We follow in the footsteps of, and are entrusted with, the legacy of those who have gone before us. And, like many, we dreamt of the day that we become commanders. Along the way, we began to learn the meaning of

  • By truly listening, you say a lot to senior leaders

    All too often I look back on my career and think of all the lessons and advice I received but did not really listen to. More often than not, when I was having a conversation with a senior leader, I was more concerned with what to say rather than listening to the message. More and more I encounter

  • Mission: Possible

    At the risk of showing how truly long in the tooth I am, I can distinctly remember the classic American television series Mission: Impossible. The main character Dan Briggs, and later Jim Phelps, would usually receive their instructions via a pre-recorded tape message that would subsequently

  • A Successful Leader

    AsI considered topics for this article, I thought back on life lessons and what Iconsider to be a “successful leader”.  Yes,I’ve read books on leadership and management; however, I’ve come to realizethat most of what I’ve learned about leadership has come from observing, notreading.  I truly believe

  • Following through with feedback

    In the last year, we have seen the emergence of a new AirForce Feedback Form and release of the new Enlisted Performance Reports.  The Air Force developed both of these systemsto improve how we as leaders, provide feedback to our Airman.  While I completely agree with changes to both,I believe real

  • I don't want a "yes man"

    I’ll always remember the time a technicalsergeant on our team disagreed with me during a meeting by telling me I was “overthinkingthe issue and there’s a better solution.” I was a little taken aback.  No one on our team ever contradicted my ideas in public and I certainly never heardthat I

  • Avionics get it running

    On September 8, the 379th Expeditionary MaintenanceSquadron’s avionics flight went 100 percent green across the board on repaircapabilities for the first time since the facility was established in 2003.  The Avionics Flight houses the only avionics repairfacility throughout the U.S. Air Forces