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  • Medics of the North prepare for the Joint Commission Survey

    Although many people do not know, most public and private hospitals in the U.S., including the 319th Medical Group at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, receive an external validation by the Joint Commission. This August the 319 MDG will undergo its JC accreditation, validating that its

  • Actions speak louder than words

    Last week I attended the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence training here. The training lasted five hours and focused on the topic of professionalism and changing the Air Force culture through leadership. The briefer spoke about leadership and lightheartedly suggested an idea that we should

  • Don’t reach for the Round-Up

    Recently I attended a training seminar put on by the Air Force Profession of Arms Center of Excellence (PACE). During the seminar the presenter made an analogy comparing performance-impacting "issues" to weeds. When comments from the audience were invited, I suggested a slightly different

  • Empowerment: More than just a word

     I am a first-term Airman at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. I am approaching one year time on station and getting close to achieving the next skill level in my job. At this stage in my career, my number one focus is on training and mastering my job. All Airmen are expected to "check the

  • Air force Reserve offers security in an evolving economy

    Every year approximately 100 Airmen separate from Grand Forks AFB in search of something better. The perception is that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. This was the thought when I got out via Palace Front in 1995 due to a reduction in force. At that time I was a staff sergeant

  • Be an Airman first!

    Only 1 percent of our great nation raises their hand to recite the oath of enlistment. No matter what the reason was for joining the military. They have all recited the following: I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all

  • It’s time to choose our next boss!

    I am 27 years old and have been a member of the United States Air Force for 17 months. I have been old enough to vote for two presidential elections, with the upcoming 2016 Presidential Election being my third. However, I have never voted.Unfortunately, far too many people my age and older have

  • Do your job…well

    I hate Bill Belichick. For those of you who aren't football fans, Bill Belichick is the coach of the National Football League's New England Patriots. As a lifelong Indianapolis Colts fan, I've seen the New England Patriots put an end to my team's Super Bowl aspirations year after year. Admittedly,

  • Leadership Lessons: Five Points

    Several weeks ago I was asked about my leadership beliefs and philosophy. At the time I didn't have a good response mostly because I never really thought about it. After several weeks of thought I came up the following five points on leadership. I picked them up over the last 16.5 years of being an