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Commentary Search

  • How to fulfill an additional duty you may not know you have

    When I first deployed to this undisclosed location in Southwest Asia for a 179-day temporary duty in late 2007, I was told that my official duty title would be director of operations for the 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron. However, upon arrival, I soon learned that I would have

  • Stepping up from the bottom of the totem pole

    Following an intense week of being out of my comfort zone and experiencing a day in the life of my leadership, I really got to see just how much every job means to the Air Force. In doing my day-to-day deployed job, you could say I'm on the low end of the totem pole, but experience has now showed me

  • Former Marine finds pride in Air Force blues

    For eight years I served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps. Honor, Courage and Commitment were my core values. I had answered my nations call and was leading in a fashion I could have never imagined.I switched over to the Air Force in search of a different challenge and more educational options.I

  • Hard work - can others see it on you?

    To borrow an often quoted preamble, "So there I was..." I found myself on stage at a practice for the promotion and recognition ceremony at our deployed base. One of the promotees, a young airman first class, wore an oil (or some other lubricant) stained uniform and boots. I studied this young man

  • A deployed Air Force birthday

    On Feb. 18, 1992, I stepped on a plane in Milwaukee, Wisc., and flew to San Antonio, Texas, with thoughts running through my mind telling me, "What did you just get yourself into?" I'm sure every other new Airman headed there has the same thoughts. It's especially confirmed when you get to the

  • Be your 'physical best'

    In early 2008, I was aboard a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter descending into Camp Ramadi, Iraq. As I exited the aircraft, there was a distant explosion from a mortar attack. I was thinking, "What did I get myself into?" I had joined the infantry at the young age of 40. As I carried my rucksack,

  • A call for mentors

    Let's face it. Most of us wouldn't be in the position that we currently are if it weren't for someone encouraging, setting an example, and taking us under their wing. At some point in our careers, a sergeant, Airman, officer or civilian was that vital links that made the wheel turn. That vital link

  • Passing on what I’ve learned

    As I approach the end of my final deployment, and the culmination of 30 years of active duty service in the greatest Air Force that has ever existed, I find myself simultaneously saddened and excited. I am saddened that I will not be coming back out to be a part of the ongoing history that you all

  • At the end of a race pick up the pace and sprint

    "Run like hell and get the agony over with." -- Clarence DeMar (seven-time winner of the Boston Marathon)Every deployed Airman can look at their time in the deployed area of responsibility as a race. Deployment lengths can vary from person to person -- some run short distances while others run