Commentaries

  • New guidance out regarding breastfeeding

    Private and government authorities have recognized the importance of breastfeeding during the first year of life, ensuring proper nutrition and health for infants. The Air Force Medical Service also recognizes its importance, which is why an interim policy was developed that addresses Air Force

  • Congress acts to protect military families from predatory lenders

    With the New Year here and Christmas bills starting to pile up, plenty of us are wondering how we will pay the credit card bills and cover the taxes due in April. For those of you thinking of taking out a payday loan to help with the credit card bills, think twice before entering the front doors of

  • AFSO21 - Getting Results at Sheppard

    I think that by now most of you are familiar with the Air Force's AFSO21 (Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century) program. If not, AFSO21 is simply a mindset dedicated to continuous improvement of key Air Force processes with the goal of reducing waste, inefficiencies, and

  • Child pornography - don't think you won't be caught

    It's no understatement to say that the Internet changed American life in the late 20th century. The World Wide Web changed work, entertainment, communication, education, etc., arguably all for the better. However, along with the good came the bad, and there is plenty of the bad in cyberspace.

  • Are you registered?

    Happy New Year! It's great to see that all of our Team Sheppard personnel made it back safely from the holidays. I hope you're all rested, energized and ready to tackle our mission once again in 2008. As we start this new year, there is one area I'd like you to add to your resolution

  • Waiting

    I didn't cry when my mother died. Not that I wasn't sad--I had just been expecting it for too long. Since I was five, in fact. It was near Christmas, and my older sister and I were standing outside the skating rink three hours after it closed, waiting for her to pick us up. A police officer finally

  • Visit was a victory for Team Sheppard

    Last Thursday and Friday, Col Dave Petersen, 80 FTW/CC, and I hosted a 2-day visit by our AETC Commander, Gen Looney, his Command Chief, CMSgt Luzader, and their spouses. The visit took an incredible amount of planning and preparation by both wings, covering every aspect of their itineraries to

  • A Hero's Anniversary

    Tuesday was a significant day on our base and in our Air Force. It was the one year anniversary of the day Maj Troy Gilbert, an F-16 pilot with the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing in Iraq, was killed in action while flying his F-16 in combat. On that day, I attended a touching "Service of Commemoration"

  • Thank you for staying safe on Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving is one of our simpler holidays. It's a time for gathering with friends and family, sharing a meal and company, and giving thanks for all the blessings we have received over the year. My wife Elizabeth and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your selfless

  • Keeping Us 'Technically the Best'

    Occasionally I overhear a comment or detect a sentiment here at Sheppard that goes something like this: "we're just a training base" or "we're not operational" or "we're not the tip of the spear" or "I can't wait to get back out into the field." Mind you, I don't hear this very often . . . just once