Commentaries

Scandal has lessons for Airmen
November 22, 2013 — Last week, Jonathan Martin, an offensive lineman on the Miami Dolphins football team, walked out and quit the team due to a perceived hostile work environment which was allegedly characterized by demeaning and racially-biased communications and financial extortion by at least one team captain, and other senior members of the team. Though a lot of... MORE

Quality of rituals determines quality of life
November 22, 2013 — I've been on a quest the past year to identify and highlight simple success strategies that, if followed, will increase career success.Where does one start on the path to becoming successful?Some would say, "habits," but it goes farther than that. Habits are repeatable actions that we don't think about. Rituals are actions embedded with meaning... MORE

Standards don't change off duty
November 14, 2013 — Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do are core values that Air Force Airmen live by. Although these are important values for the Air Force, every base has their own principles that are essential to accomplishing the mission.Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck, 7th Bomb Wing commander, has many priorities for Team Dyess, but pride,... MORE

Civilian vs. military justice system: how they compare
November 14, 2013 — When I was in high school, before I learned that the military even had lawyers, I believed commanders imposed punishment on the spot without so much as attempting to get the other side of the story. I blame television! I now know that was totally wrong. But, in my own defense, I let myself be misled by Hollywood's portrayal of the military justice... MORE

Excuses don't burn calories
November 8, 2013 — I never thought working out could change someone's life, but it has changed mine. My entire life I'd always been thin, I'd never had to diet or exercise and I could eat whatever I wanted; that is, until I had a baby. I did almost everything by the book. I cut out junk food, ate my fruits and vegetables and exercised throughout my pregnancy, but I... MORE

Dignity, respect is two-way street
November 8, 2013 — When I was a young Airman, during the heat of an intense intramural flag football game, a fellow Airman, who was frustrated that he could not stop me from advancing the ball, yelled the "N" word out loud. I was shocked and confused. Having been raised in Southeast Washington, D.C., I was certainly no stranger to harsh language or "trash talk."... MORE

Take a stand: End domestic violence
October 31, 2013 — There was a trail of thrown objects throughout the home, to include children's toys and broken glass everywhere. The house was nicely decorated with family photos covering walls and wedding ceremony mementos on shelves and tables. I didn't expect that.Domestic Violence - it's a serious, yet uncomfortable topic people don't like to speak about;... MORE

Sexual assault: the human cost
October 31, 2013 — The Air Force Academy is committed to preventing, deterring and prosecuting sexual assault in its ranks.Sexual assault is a crime and is unacceptable. It is incompatible with our core values, it is harmful to our people and it makes us less effective in the Air Force's mission. We cannot succeed in developing leaders of character if the scourge of... MORE

Saving energy: it all adds up
October 17, 2013 — As we face budget uncertainty and rising energy costs, we need your help, our Mobility Airmen, to find innovative ways to reduce energy costs on the ground and in the air.Across the Air Force Airmen are continually thinking about ways to reduce energy use and to bring down costs. Although October is Energy Action Month, in Air Mobility Command,... MORE

Why you don't want to 'ride lightning'
October 17, 2013 — "Taser! Taser! Taser!" said the officer, right before every muscle in my body contracted and I experienced the worst physical pain imaginable.I would do anything humanly possible to avoid ever feeling the stun gun's voltage coursing through my body again.Every 87th Security Forces Squadron member must complete a stun gun training course annually to... MORE

Airman 1st Class Sean M. Crowe, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs photojournalist, receives a voluntary exposure to a stun gun Oct. 8, 2013, in the Timmermann Center at JB MDL, N.J. Crowe volunteered to receive an exposure while learning about 87th Security Forces Squadron training for an article. (U.S. Air Force photo by Angel Lopez/Released)