Features

Joint base basics
March 30, 2009 — Recently, the Warrior Spirit staff sat down with Col. Mike Polhemus, 87th Air Base Wing director of staff and joint basing office director, to discuss the basics of joint basing at McGuire, Fort Dix and Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station. We hope the following interview answers some of the questions you may have: WS - Why create a joint base... MORE

Brothers in basketball: Sons of Expeditionary Center senior NCO help McGuire team to state championship
March 24, 2009 — For Master Sgt. Marcus G. Hughes III, the thrill of victory is certainly better than the agony of "not enough playing time." The father of two starting players, Marcell and Marcus E. Hughes, said he watched in jubilation as his sons played basketball on March 7 at St. Leo the Great High School in Lincroft, N.J. He watched as they helped lead the... MORE

Marcell and Marcus E. Hughes, sons of Master Sgt. Marcus G. Hughes III, stand with the 2009 New Jersey Catholic Youth Organization State High School Basketball Championship trophy on March 7, 2009, at St. Leo the Great High School in Lincroft, N.J. Both Marcell and Marcus were starters for the McGuire Air Force Base (N.J.) Falcons as they beat St. Mary's of the Lakes of Medford, N.J., 54-52 for the championship. In the game, Marcell had 10 assists, two points, and two steals. Marcus added 15 rebounds, five points and two steals. Neither earned most valuable player -- that honor went to senior guard Donnie Redding who scored 24 points. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Marcus G. Hughes III)

Improve your credit report, score
March 17, 2009 — The best way to improve your credit score is to avoid doing things that lower it. Every time you apply for credit, make a payment, or miss a payment, you add information to your credit report that affects your credit score. One of the best ways to improve your credit score is to improve your record of paying on time. Check your bills to see when... MORE

Canine handlers build confidence in Phoenix Warrior course
March 5, 2009 — Having confidence in their abilities is a key ingredient for the success of any military working dog team, especially on deployments. In the Air Force Phoenix Warrior Training Course at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center on Fort Dix, N.J., two new military working dog, or MWD, handlers are "building a stronger sense of confidence" during their... MORE

Military working dog Eddy and his handler, Senior Airman Eric Vega, both from Air Force Base, Wash., reacts to a scenario for training in military operations in urban terrain for the Air Force Phoenix Warrior Training Course on Feb. 28, 2009, at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, N.J. Phoenix Warrior is taught by the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's 421st Combat Training Squadron at Fort Dix, N.J., and prepares security forces Airmen for upcoming deployments. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Paul R. Evans)

Raven training combatives: 'It's chess, not checkers'
March 2, 2009 — "Space is opportunity. It's chess, not checkers," said Tech. Sgt. Rudolph Stuart while instructing students in ground-fighting skills, or combatives, on Feb. 16. Sergeant Stuart, combatives instructor with the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's 421st Combat Training Squadron here, uses those words to tell his students in the Air Force Phoenix... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Rudolph Stuart, instructor in the Air Force Phoenix Raven Training Course, talks to students on Feb. 19 during a training session in the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center on Fort Dix, N.J. The Raven course, taught by the USAF EC's 421st Combat Training Squadron, teaches security forces Airmen specialized training in aircraft security, combatives and verbal judo to name a few. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Keep your home: Avoid foreclosure with early planning
February 25, 2009 — It happens to the best of us - it starts with spending a little too much, then bills start to pile up, payments start to add up and even the minimum payments can be difficult to make. As a homeowner, this situation becomes even more serious since missing your mortgage payment can mean losing your home. One million families will face losing their... MORE

Mind over matter: Ravens reflect on mental challenges of training
February 25, 2009 — Many of the 35 students attending the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Phoenix Raven Training Course said they expected a "tough, physical experience" while training. By the end of the course on Feb. 20, many found the mental challenges of Raven training outweighed the physical side. Phoenix Raven is an intensive 18-day, 12-hour-a-day course... MORE

This sign hangs in the Raven training room in the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center on Fort Dix, N.J. According to instructors in the Phoenix Raven Training Course, the sign is there to help motivate Raven students to work together and "set the standard." Phoenix Raven is taught by the USAF EC's 421st Combat Training Squadron, also at Fort Dix. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Investing 101: Know your goals, options
February 19, 2009 — Everyone knows saving money is a good thing, especially in an uncertain economy. But how can you put your money to better use? According to Suzanne Curren, a certified credit union financial counselor with Andrews Federal Credit Union, even though saving is always smart (and safe), the interest earned on savings account balances doesn't keep up... MORE

Prepare for your future with the Airman and Family Readiness Center
February 17, 2009 — "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." -President John F. Kennedy "I separate next week, and I need to go to this week's Transition Assistance Program class." "I've just received the results of my medical board and need to complete the pre-separation checklist immediately!" "No... MORE

Experts say debt management crucial to financial success
February 12, 2009 — If you've ever Googled "debt management" you'll know that there are a lot of resources out there for someone in dire financial straits - 28.9 million to be exact. But in this day and age of identity theft and Internet fraud, how do you know who to trust? Whether you're just starting out, in over your head already or just changing directions, you... MORE