Commentary Search

  • Leadership Lessons: What really counts?

    In the Air Force, we love numbers. Numbers permeate our existence. We can hardly have a conversation without referencing at least one number. We are number crazy! Don't believe me? We denote our rank with numbers (E-5, O-3). We have instruction numbers, task numbers, building numbers, gate numbers,

  • Scars of DUI: Red

    (EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article features graphic descriptions.)I remember the plush, green grass on my bare feet as I ran to the family station wagon for a trip to the local ice cream shop. My new outfit felt scratchy on my sunburned skin. It had been an exciting birthday party. The sun was

  • Leadership Lessons: Embrace the here and now

    To this point in my Air Force career, I have been stationed at eight bases. To be honest, sometimes I felt like as though the Air Force made a mistake sending me to some of those bases! But I always put "service before self" and made them into fun, interesting assignments. In the end, I left each

  • ‘Scars of DUI’: An almost impossible funeral

    Hi there, I'm a spouse here at Grand Forks AFB. My husband and I have been here roughly a year.About a month ago my husband, who is in the Communications Squadron, received a text message the evening prior to his day off. He was instructed to come in the following morning in full service blues

  • Leadership Lessons: Who would you follow?

    Over the last year I have enjoyed reading articles from our Wing leadership on their perspectives and experiences which have made them better leaders. I have great admiration for their words of wisdom and have benefited from their shared experiences.When I was asked to write a leadership piece I had

  • My First Scar

    One day I was in a meeting with some fellow Airmen."I'm sure you already heard about it, but the base had another Airman get arrested for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence," our superintendent said. "So what can we do as a public affairs unit to help be part of the solution

  • Leadership Lessons: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

    "Lean on the top three", "don't be that cocky new LT", "trust your subordinates", "learn from your senior enlisted", and "take care of your people". These are the words I've heard consistently throughout the past five years.Being a new lieutenant, I don't have powerful words of wisdom to share. With

  • Leadership Lessons: The value of training

    When we think about all the training we have to do, we get frustrated and sometimes don't always understand the purpose. Instead of being frustrated by the training, have you ever stopped to think how the training you have received has helped you and/or made you better? Training comes in so many

  • Leadership Lessons: Are you committed?

    Commitment. It's a pretty powerful word we should not take lightly. Commitment is a promise to do, a promise to be loyal to something or someone. Most importantly, commitment is an attitude. Think about it. The committed are the go-to guys who do not fail. The ones you want by your side when things

  • Leadership Lessons: Compliance - the life you save could be your own

    In August 2000, the Air Force lost an F-16 when it crashed in a field near the town of Tulia, Texas. The Air Force convened an accident investigation board to look into the reason for the crash. It was determined that crash occurred because the pilot violated flight directives by performing