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  • Providing shade

    In 2012, I had a long talk with my father about my future in the Air Force and of my challenges with stepping into the world of being a first sergeant.At the end of our conversation, he signed off with a Greek proverb, "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will

  • Leadership Fundamentals

    As we reflect on last previous year and our continuously transforming Air Force, it is imperative that we remember a basic fundamental premise; leadership is about people and forging professional relationships.It is growing more and more important to connect and relate to our Airmen with open and

  • A call to serve – mission verses job

    When I joined the Air Force as an airman basic in May of 1982, it never occurred to me that I would still be serving on active duty nearly 33 years later!  I separated from the Air Force at the end of my four year enlistment in May of 1986 and by December of that year my income had nearly tripled

  • Equipping our Airmen

    When I entered the Air Force 16 years ago, my father-in-law, who is retired Army, shared a bit of service rivalry with me. He said that it's well known the Air Force "mans equipment" while the Army "equips men."For those of us in blue, it's an insulting idea. When I look in the mirror though, I have

  • Suicide prevention: The Wingman

    Editors note: this is the first article in a series of stories focusing on suicide prevention.Suicide prevention is a high priority in the Department of Defense, focusing on the numerous resources available to those with suicidal thoughts. What we sometimes fail to discuss is how we can be there for

  • The “short version” on leadership

    It would take a lifetime to read all the books there are on leadership. After 26 years of military service and multiple levels of professional military education, I've acquired a large stack of books on the subject. Many of these books hold valuable information that has been useful over the years.

  • Being good stewards in an age of consumption and waste

    Stewardship isn't a popular subject these days. Through popular media, television, Internet and the like, most of us are bombarded with daily messages to get as much as we can and spend, spend, spend on bigger houses, bigger cars, and more with no regard for how all these items gets cared for or

  • Finding balance in the northern tier

    I'm extremely blessed and fortunate to have been given the opportunity to lead the best team this side of anywhere - the Red Dawgs of the 12th Missile Squadron. I may be a bit biased, but I truly believe it. The 12th MS is just one of the many squadrons that make up our proud missile wing. Our

  • We can’t all be Washingtons

    Growing up, I never considered myself a patriot. Patriots were people who I placed on a pedestal so high I would never reach them. When I thought of patriots, the images that came to mind are probably a lot of the same ones you have: our founding fathers, the men and women who fought on the front

  • Drive out fear: Of failure, of embarrassment, of not knowing what to do

    We've all felt that sinking, gut-wrenching sensation telling us, "You don't have what it takes," or in the worst case, "I'd be better off somewhere else." Fear is a natural reaction to uncertainty, danger, and unexpected change. Fear in the duty section can shut us down, even today. I recall a day,