Commentary Search

  • Training for Integrity

    March 16, 1968, Warrant Officer 1st Class Hugh Thompson Jr., a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, was flying reconnaissance for a counter-insurgency operation at a Vietnamese village named My Lai. As the operation progressed, Warrant Officer Thompson and his crew began noticing groups of dead and injured

  • No time like the present

    "I'll do it tomorrow ..." "I'll get to it later ..." "Just one more minute ..." "The inspection is not coming up for months..." We've all said these things at one time or another. However, when it comes right down to it, how well do we accomplish that "thing" later? And do we always do what we say

  • Small Gestures ... Big Dividends

    Promotions, retirements, rendering a salute, giving a firm handshake; how about saying "hello" as you pass people in your work environment or when you are out in the community? Even a smile or nod of acknowledgement would be a great start. What about supporting squadron and base intramural teams,

  • Get out, get fit this month

    Everybody should know how important it is that our Airmen are fit to fight. Fitness directly translates into readiness and combat capability and that's what we're all about. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. This is the perfect opportunity for everyone to renew their commitment to

  • Unwavering professionalism combats terrorism

    Recently, the New York Times published an article about Misawa Air Base. Unfortunately, it was not a flattering story about the great deeds the men and women of this base perform every day and the daily sacrifices they make in service to our great nation. Rather, it was about the poor choices one

  • Dealing with the near rocks, far rocks

    "Let's deal with the near rocks" is something we frequently hear these days at planning meetings, scheduling discussions, etc. So, I asked someone in my office what they thought the term near rocks referred to. They replied that it was in reference to the fact that road crews or prison chain-gangs

  • Opportunity knocks

    According to the 1988 Webster's New World dictionary sitting in my office, opportunity is a combination of circumstances favorable to advance one's self. The beauty of the Air Force is the number of opportunities it affords you. In my nineteen years in the Air Force, these opportunities were

  • Every day is a parade

    When I was going through Officer Training School, my flight commander told us that every day was a parade. People were watching us, they were judging us, they were expecting us to always be sharp and focused. Any breach of protocol or breakdown in discipline would be noticed, and from which

  • Keep traffic safety in mind as spring approaches

    As spring arrives it is important that we focus on safety. Spring brings warmer temperatures, wet roads, high winds, blowing dirt and many opportunities for accidents on the road. Now is a good time to check your car's tires, brakes, wiper blades, and windshield washer fluid -- all those things we

  • Together we can prevent sexual assault

    April has been designated as sexual assault awareness month. This month we commit to raising awareness and promoting the prevention of sexual violence through the use of special events and public education. The Department of Defense's theme for this month is "Prevent Sexual Assault: Ask! Act!