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Commentary Search

  • Moving forward by going back to basics

    I welcome technology. Spending my disposable income on something that helps me communicate, study and play in faster, smarter and cheaper ways seems like a pretty logical choice. I don't like to throw my money away though, so I try to take care of my stuff. I keep it clean, up-to-date and I try to

  • AF family celebrates holidays at KAF

    After celebrating a recent birthday with a fellow first sergeant, I received an email letting me know he appreciated spending his special day with his Air Force family. With the holidays right around the corner, it gave me cause to reflect on what spending the holidays with our Air Force family

  • Standards Bearer

    Standards are important. They are vital. Most of you know how to define a standard. Standards are those established principles, rules, habits that are used as a basis for judgment. There is another definition of the word standard. Dictionary.com defines a standard as a flag, emblematic figure, or

  • A day with Afghan women

    I had the unique experience on December 17, 2009 of traveling by Army convoy to Forward Operating Base Lion located in the Panjshir valley to go with female servicemembers as they met with local Afghan women. Troops at FOB Lion instruct the women on different agricultural projects that can provide

  • Thank You Airmen

    Editor's note: The following is a commentary from a U.S. Army Fires Support Officer who was stationed at Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan, roughly 10 miles from the Pakistan border. The morning of Oct. 3, 2009 erupted in gunfire for this lieutenant and his outpost. These are his thanks to the

  • Understanding the role of Air Force first sergeants

    Oh no! Here comes the First Sergeant; this can't be good. Who's in trouble this time, First Sergeant? I can't tell you how many times I have heard these comments. I have often asked myself and other First Sergeants, "Why do we get these types of comments?" Well, I believe the answer is because many

  • There’s always tomorrow

    Have you ever found yourself looking forward to a time when things will calm down in your life? There are so many things that consume our time and energy. Maybe it's the next big inspection, or an impending deployment or an upcoming PCS. I bet you can't wait for all of that to be behind you. Maybe

  • Deployments change people

    Imagine if you had never left home -- settled into a local job and never left your hometown except to go to Vegas or Disneyland once a year. The gypsy military lifestyle broadens the horizon - everyone knows this. Most of the force is deploying constantly, performing hard, heroic, and sometimes,

  • Leadership lessons linger

    It doesn't take much to find leadership in a deployed setting, whether on the battlefield, in a maintenance back shop, or among the seasoned SNCO's and officers of our Wing. I stumbled upon a meeting of the minds however, true leaders studying to become better. Better officers, better Airmen - all

  • Staying fit to fight during Holiday Season

    The holidays are time to celebrate the season, relax and spend time with family and friends. And boy, do we make the most of it. During the holidays, whether deployed or at home, there is food, snacks, candy and other treats readily available. So how do we remain fit to fight during the holidays?