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Commentary Search

  • The glass is half FULL

    Dealing with constantly increasing stress in today's Air Force is a daily process. We have all either been, currently are or will be deployed to a forward operating base away from our families. Additional duties, training requirements and manpower taskings have not decreased with the decrease in

  • Remember Service Before Self through the holidays

    As we approach the upcoming holiday season, we typically hear about and are presented with several opportunities to support various charities or causes. Thanksgiving reminds us of all the good things we have, whether they be good health, family, freedom or financial security. At the same time, it

  • Do not go above and beyond

    Are you ready for the Unit Compliance Inspection to be over? The best way to get through this or any inspection is to not go above and beyond but to stick to the minimum required. That's right, do the minimum required. I contend we all can go above and beyond the call of duty by meeting the minimum

  • Financial responsibility: Do you know how your troops are doing?

     A section chief recently told me a story regarding one of her troops. She had noticed a decline in their overall appearance, i.e. cleanliness and grooming habits. When she questioned the troop, she learned that he had over-extended himself with several purchases that left him virtually penniless.

  • Gratitude for sacrifice

    Being deployed is difficult for any military member. It's even tougher when it's your first time. Every once in awhile, however, we get to participate in something which turns out to be a bit more special than the typical missions we fly. This happened to my crew just last week ... We launched on

  • Team McGuire Airman turned local hero

    Staff Sgt. Matthew Koppenhaver is an excellent KC-10 electro-environmental instructor assigned to the 305th Maintenance Operations Squadron. I have always applauded him for his professionalism and technical expertise. It was not until recently I understood the potential heroism he carried with

  • Reaping the seeds sewn through training

    There's nothing more satisfying than seeing the fruits of your labor, and that is exactly what Tech. Sgt. Antonio Strong and I have been able to do and see since deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Currently assigned to the 728th AMS' Air Terminal Operations Center, or ATOC, we work hand-in-hand

  • Where does time go?

     I was just reading an article about the Air Force celebrating its 60th anniversary. Then it hit me: I've now been serving 32 years, and what a career it has been! The two biggest highlights for me have been people and change. As I get older, the more I realize what the Air Force has done for me.

  • Hometown patriotism and Patriot Day

    The rain clouds and the darkness were slowly closing in on the color guard as they were leading the July 4th parade in Bessemer, Mich. From where I stood with my two daughters, you could see people standing up and taking off hats as the color guard approached. It took a bit longer before the color

  • Readiness important for school success

    The term "readiness" is a key word in our Air Force vocabulary. To most, the term denotes a state of preparedness, with the ability to carry out whatever mission we're tasked with effectively and successfully. The same can be said of students as they approach a new school year. As a veteran teacher,