22 Apr 2011

Relationships Matter

Each of us must interact with other people, and how we respond to these interactions define how we and others view our relationships and our world.What are relationships? The World English Dictionary definition is "the state of being connected or related." Relationships can run the gamut from short term acquaintances lasting only a few moments to

21 Apr 2011

Earth Day 2011: Everyday decisions impact planet

I love the feeling of the cool breeze brushing against my face as I drive to work with the windows rolled down on a nice crisp summer morning. At the pool or beach, the warm sunlight reflects nicely on the blue water and makes me feel good to be alive. I guess I've just always enjoyed being able to enjoy nature! Here in the desert, when the winds

10 Apr 2011

The Historian's Role: Documenting the Fight

The legacy of preserving the history of American military air power dates to World War I. On May 9, 1918, Brig. Gen. Benjamin Foulois, Chief of the Air Service, ordered the appointment of historians to submit monthly reports. The job initially fell to Capt. Ernest Jones, who struggled to collect the necessary data. "The squadrons have but one

2 Apr 2011

Duty and the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Back home, I am a Permanent Professor of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the Air Force Academy. I am spending a year on a "deployment sabbatical" so I can better prepare cadets to be the next generation of Air Force leaders. While preparing to deploy, I reflected on what I wanted to accomplish in the six months I would be gone. I had not been

22 Mar 2011

Making the Days Count

Many of us have heard the old saying on deployments "Don't count the days, make the days count." So what does this really mean? In September of last year the Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Norton Schwartz, signed a policy letter changing the AEF baseline for the active duty component from 120 days to 179 days. For the vast majority of the Air Force

8 Dec 2010

3-43 ADA shines at Airfest 2010

The sun was shining as always in Southwest Asia as the 3rd Battalion; 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment partnered with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing for the second time this year to participate in Airfest 2010. This one day event spotlights each of the airbase's tenant unit's most fascinating pieces of equipment. With live musical

7 Dec 2010

Taking Care of Business and Each Other this Holiday Season

As the weather back home gets colder and holiday decorations announce the arrival of the traditional holiday season, it's important to pause and reflect, to take stock of who we are and what we do as Airmen. Service before self, one of our most important Air Force core values, is an attribute we live day-in and day-out, especially while forward

15 Nov 2010

The story behind the Poppies

The Poppy was adopted as a symbol of remembrance in 1918 as a result of the inspirational poem on Flanders field written in 1915, anonymously but since credited to John McCrae. Of interest it was while in New York that the person accredited with the adoption of the Poppy as a national Symbol, Moina Michael, heard the poem which was very popular in

9 Oct 2010

Hispanic or Latino: What’s in a name?”

From Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, the United States will once again celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. In 1968, Hispanic Heritage Week originated as a result of public law to promote educational awareness. From that humble beginning, the celebration blossomed into month-long ceremonies and activities that recognize the accomplishments of Hispanics and

28 Sep 2010

What I've learned

In the words of one of the four expeditionary group commanders at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the commanders were "issued friends" when they got here. That's why, for the four of them and, really, for the rest of the base, it's great they like each other. Though their jobs and personalities are distinctly different, Colonels John Kubinec