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  • The Unfortunate Fortune Teller

    Shortly after I pinned on chief master sergeant, I received numerous guest speaking invites. It wasn't because I was good at public speaking, it was because I was a chief and people expected that I would be well-versed in delivering leadership messages. In reality, I was very ill prepared. My first

  • Being an Exceptional Wingman

    A recent author in this column urged us to "exit our comfort zones." This week, I am inviting all of us to do just that and to become what I call an "Exceptional Wingman." For context, I invite you to imagine trying to do the simple tasks of life -- like getting out of bed, getting dressed, making

  • Perseverance in the face of adversity its own reward

    Some of the most rewarding experiences in life often demand a great amount of determination. When we choose to pursue a lofty dream or goal, a varying degree of struggle will inevitably ensue. In that moment of struggle, we must make a tough decision: Give up because it's too hard, or press on. If

  • Teamwork-- unexpected results from amazing people

    As I sat down to write this article, I really struggled on what to write about and what was important to me. As a public affairs officer, you would think writing a commentary would just come easy and would not take any time to finish. For me, I looked long and hard at the computer screen, yet

  • Some discomfort can lead to victory in the 'learning zone'

    History is full of stories about people who have risen to great heights and accomplished great feats. Mother Theresa impacted the lives of the less fortunate people in the world; Thomas Edison invented hundreds of items; Martin Luther King Jr. rallied thousands of people to peacefully protest and

  • Supervisors: Know your Airmen!

    One of the most important things a supervisor can do is getting to know your airmen. Not only on a professional level to know what training your airmen need and what tasks they are able to perform, but also on a personal level. It's important to know if your airmen have a spouse and children. You

  • Change and adversity can travel hand in hand

    It seems in today's world change and adversity seem to go hand in hand. Change is such a part of my job that it keeps me challenged. Recently, I have had to handle lots of adversity with deaths, work and family. What keeps me sane at the end of the day is my faith. Handling stress is not easy but

  • Triumphing over adversity not about labels

    I've spent quite some time with the 898th Munitions Squadron in the aftermath of its inspection results and subsequent decertification. What follows is my way to think about readiness and to put these events in perspective. They apply to any mission area.For most of you this is new ground -- the

  • If you ask me why I serve I'll answer you, 'Haiti'

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- I'm often asked why I choose to be in the Air Force.Some people ask to start up a conversation, others to be polite, and some genuinely wonder what compels Airmen to swear to support and defend the Constitution, put themselves in harm's way and deploy far from home.Most

  • An Airman's act of courage to remember

    On Feb. 24, 1969, an eight man crew lifted off in AC-47 "Puff the Magic Dragon," call sign "Spooky 71," at Bien Hoa Air Base on a routine combat night patrol mission over the Saigon region. Little did this crew know that a lowly Airman loadmaster on board would save their lives and become a