Commentaries

  • Codes of ethics define person, organization

    In the world news lately, one can hear and read allegations of unethical conduct by our fellow brothers and sisters in arms. It is a dark cloud that hangs over the great sacrifice and performance of the men and women in our country's armed services. It can be an unnecessary distraction in our

  • Battlefield reminder of soldiers' sacrifices

    I went to Maryland a couple weeks ago to attend a public affairs officer's course following a five-and-a-half month struggle through the online portion. My first Sunday there was to be uneventful other than visiting the local mall. I got in my car and headed out the gate - the one I thought was

  • From every mountanside, let freedom ring

    It is the Fourth of July, again! And I just did an unusual thing. I read our Declaration of Independence. This is not my normal Fourth of July activity. Most of my Fourth of Julys have been spent at family gatherings, outdoor activities, resting from a life far too hectic and, of course, watching

  • Attitude is everything

    I love the quote from the movie "Remember the Titans" where Julius tells Bertier, "attitude reflects leadership, Cap'n." That key turning point helped the Titan football team overcome individual differences and then pull together as one team to rise above significant challenges. They went on to

  • Back-to-back special duty assignments can hurt careers

    I arrived at Sheppard in June 2004, after spending 22 years in Air Mobility Command. I have been the 360th Training Squadron superintendent for two years now. Many individuals come to my office to ask for my recommendation to the commander for a follow-on special duty assignment. From my

  • FOLLOWERSHIP: rules one can lead by

    Many of us read books, take college classes, and attend professional military education courses in preparation to become leaders. In my pursuit to become a leader, I listened and learned with enthusiasm. However, there always seemed as if something was missing, and I believe that to be the training

  • Are you addicted to caffeine?

    Do most people know how much caffeine they are really taking in? Caffeine can be a good thing if it's taken into the body in small doses, but the majority of people might be taking in too much. It's a central nervous system stimulant, which means it makes you feel more awake and aware of your

  • What Airmen should know about future manpower cuts

    The Air Force has begun a massive effort to reduce the total number of manpower authorizations by more than 40,000 across the active, reserve and guard forces, of which 88 percent will come from the active duty ranks. Program Budget Decision 720, the "Air Force Transformation Flight Plan," outlines

  • Military nursing personnel: Serving their country, their profession

    National Nurses Week was officially designated in 1994 as May 6 through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightengale, the founder of modern nursing. The Air Force celebrates this special week by honoring all nursing personnel - registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and medical technicians,

  • Follow up: The key to effective leadership

    Gen. George Patton asserted, "Commanders must remember the issuance of an order, or the devising of a plan, is only about five percent of the responsibility of command. The other 95 is to insure the order is carried out." Although General Patton made this statement during World War II, it rings true