Commentaries

Our story is generational
November 20, 2012 — The crisscross pattern of olive green fabric felt rough against my fingers as I held my father's old U.S. Air Force uniform. It was a different time in September 1973 when Airman 1st Class Tom Denton arrived at Langley Air Force Base, Va. to start his career as a weapons control systems technician on the F-106 Delta Dart. Now, nearly 40 years... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton wears the uniform of his father, former Staff Sgt. Tom Denton, at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Nov. 20, 2012. Tom and his wife, former Buck Sgt. Paula Denton, were stationed at Langley during the 1970s. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Katie G. Ward/Released)

Thankfulness and an oak tree
November 13, 2012 — What are you thankful for? The question followed me the entire, extended weekend, as I struggled to write this article. It followed me as I made my way through the historic sites of Virginia. The air was unseasonably warm for November, as I walked through the remnants of Jamestown, Va. - America's first permanent English colony. The ground crunched... MORE

Howard Chandler Christy’s painting of the signing of the United States Constitution was commissioned in 1939 as part of the congressional observance of the Constitution’s sesquicentennial. Completed in 1940, the 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene is among the best known images in the United States Capitol. It is on display in the east grand stairway of the House wing. (Photo courtesy of Architect of the Capitol/Released)

Strong leadership today may save lives tomorrow
November 9, 2012 — Leadership and the military are inseparable.I've often heard a peacetime military can be sustained by strong managers, but great leaders are needed on the fields, skies and seas of war. Some volatile situations have taught me that, in fact, leadership and discipline are just as important in peace and training, as they are in war. With research, I'm... MORE

BADGHIS, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Sgt. Timothy Cooper and other Soldiers from White Platoon, Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, take cover as they receive accurate small-arms fire on a riverbed near Combat Outpost Delorean, Bala Murghab, Badghis Province, Afghanistan Jan. 9, 2011. The patrol consisted of Soldiers deployed from 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colo., Afghan National Army soldiers from Bala Murghab, two Tactical Air Control Party Airmen from Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Bragg, N.C., a Navy Reserve videographer, and an Air Force photojournalist from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace/RELEASED)

Learning to cope when suicide hits at home
November 2, 2012 — The last day of school of my freshman year in high school, I woke up to the phone ringing. It was very early and I heard my mom's voice talking to the person on the other end."No, he's not here. He should be there already. I'll go check the roads and see if his car broke down and get back with you. Thank you," she said.She then came back to my room... MORE

Maj. Kelli Hooke, 409th Contracting Support Brigade, Kaiserslautern, Germany. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)

Customs and courtesies still apply in electronic communication
October 25, 2012 — Modern communication is quick and convenient, and has dramatically altered the way the Air Force fights. Air Force information systems provide each Airman with direct and immediate access to the world. While information systems such as email, web pages, electronic transfer points and data links vitally enhance productivity by providing massive... MORE

Staff Sgt. Nicole Younger 633rd Air Base Wing Judge Advocate
“I include the privacy act statement when needed.”

Every Airman has the potential to be an innovator
October 18, 2012 — I was one of the lucky few who attended the Air Force Association's 2012 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, DC last recently. Something that U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said during his speech resonated with me. "Innovation is what we're all about," he said. "We always have been." I agree with this... MORE

I give to the CFC because my brother deserves it
October 9, 2012 — The annual Combined Federal Campaign is the largest workplace charity campaign in the United States, and raises millions of dollars each year to support charities worldwide. With the CFC donation season in full swing, I can't help but remember why I give. As a child, I lost my younger brother, Matthew, to a battle against childhood leukemia. The... MORE

See the graphic above for the comprehensive list of the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign representatives for the 633rd Air Base Wing. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman 1st Class R. Alex Durbin/Released)

Transitioning to the civilian workforce is a full-time job
October 1, 2012 — Wow! I can't believe it. Retirement is here. We all know this day will come. Kenny Chesney says in his song "Don't Blink," "100 years goes faster than you think."For active-duty military, 20 years goes faster than you think.The question then becomes, "how prepared are you to transition from military life and head into the civilian workforce?" The... MORE

My biggest mistake as an Airman - a new car
September 27, 2012 — During the last two weeks, I have heard two separate stories about Airmen purchasing overpriced cars, with loans at ridiculously high interest rates. When I hear these stories I can't help but think about the first major mistake I made as a brand new Airman - a mistake that cost me almost $100,000 15 years later.As a newly minted Airman 1st Class,... MORE

U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton/Released

Information assurance = mission assurance
September 24, 2012 — What is information assurance? Many of us look at information assurance as a buzzword the Air Force likes to throw around that has something to do with computers and the internet. To many it is just an annoying training which has to be completed every year. However, the truth is information assurance is one of the single-greatest means of... MORE

Information Assurance, Defenders of the Domain

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