Oct. 9, 2012

I give to the CFC because my brother deserves it

Langley Air Force Base, Va. — 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

Oct. 1, 2012

Transitioning to the civilian workforce is a full-time job

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — 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

Sept. 27, 2012

My biggest mistake as an Airman - a new car

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — 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,

Sept. 24, 2012

Information assurance = mission assurance

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — 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

Sept. 19, 2012

Toeing the line on standards

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — For the past four years of my career, as a first sergeant, I have heard the words, "but Shirt - he's a good guy" far too many times. Whether it was for a failed physical training test or substandard performance of non commissioned officer responsibilities, the same statement would pop up time and again. One would think these words would have been

Sept. 6, 2012

The Oath of Enlistment, what does it mean?

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — The other day I was reviewing Air Force Instruction 1-1, Air Force Standards, when I came across the Oath of Enlistment. Immediately I thought to myself, the oath is a major part of who we are in the military. It forms the bedrock of what we stand for and are willing to fight for. But I wonder if some of us who say those words that form the oath

Sept. 6, 2012

Eliminating our biases... embracing our diversity

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — Several weeks ago, a colleague of mine told me about leading a program at the local community center. Prior to the program's start, she went to the lobby to wait for a pizza delivery. For roughly 15 minutes, she was looking for a short male of Hispanic descent, wearing loose jeans. Finally, a tall, fair-skinned gentleman waiting next to her spoke

Aug. 22, 2012

Fight the flu by prepping for flu season

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — With flu season rapidly approaching, the time to start preparing is now. The 633rd Medical Group has prepared some helpful information to help protect people from catching the flu.The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and in some cases

Aug. 17, 2012

My job is prosecuting sexual assault

WASHINGTON D.C. — Here's a simple truth...sexual offenders reject our core values of integrity, service and excellence, in favor of following their own base, undisciplined, criminal desires. Most sexual assaults committed by Airmen are "blue on blue," or Airmen victimizing other Airmen. So in addition to rejecting our core values, these undisciplined Airmen reject

Aug. 13, 2012

Sic transit gloria mundi

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — All the senior airmen in my office nervously huddled around a single computer as we nervously awaited the staff sergeant promotion results to be released. No one moved - no one even breathed. We were all transfixed as the audible mouse click echoed throughout the room, signifying each time the website was refreshed.Of course the internet broke as