HomeNewsCommentaries

Commentary Search

  • Readiness and training: Are you ready to answer the call?

    Readiness and training: two separate and distinct things that will forever be linked like "milk and cookies" or "peanut butter and jelly." I'd like to share the importance of these topics from the perspective of an airlift warrior who has seen 17 years of service starting with Operation Desert Storm through now Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring

  • The enlisted force structure: a word from Dyess’ CCC

    As part of our Airman culture, we are encouraged to read publications from the Air Force chief of staff's reading list. I have read most publications from this list; however, there is a publication not on the chief of staff's reading list that just does not get the due attention it deserves. Do you know where the basic foundation and

  • ‘There’s no draft’: what to say to disgruntled Airmen

    Walking around base, I've heard some complaints about the Air Force - the changes it's going through, and quality of life issues - from Airmen my age. The Air Force I joined is a different one from the one that existed when some of today's senior noncommissioned and field-grade officers and above joined. Those who have been in for 10 years or

  • Teamwork, flexibility, versatility: crucial

    Teamwork, flexibility and versatility will become more and more crucial as we lead the Air Force through another stage of change. I compare it to experiences and lessons learned from family owned businesses. I grew up around three of them; let me offer some simple examples of teamwork, flexibility and versatility from each of them. 1) We built and

  • Planning, organization key to success

    There is a saying that goes, "If you want something done right, and on time, give it to the busiest individual in the unit." For the most part, this is true. Not because he or she is the smartest or brightest, but because he is probably the most organized. Over my short eighteen years in the Air Force, I have learned and relearned that the best way

  • What? There are C-130s at Dyess?

    There I was, enjoying the delicacies of "Taco Tuesday" at Dyess' food court, when I inadvertently overheard a few new lieutenants shooting the breeze while consuming their own meals. The first said, "I noticed several C-130s parked on the ramp today. I didn't know the 7th Bomb Wing had Herks ... I thought we only flew B-1s here." The other replied,

  • Professionalism can’t be force shaped

    "If you can't get them to salute when they should salute and wear the clothes you tell them to wear, how are you going to get them to die for their country?" asked Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. Patton had a major dilemma facing him in the II Corps -- he had a ragtag, combat-weary team that had just been routed by the Germans in North Africa at the

  • Long term planning is key to success

    When I arrived to take command of 7th Aeromedical Operations Squadron a year ago, I was gratefully surprised to find a clean, well-designed facility with loads of up-to-date, state-of-the-art equipment and supplies. Many of the individuals responsible for the condition of our medical facility had long since moved or retired. It was their long-range

  • What’s your function? Get to know your role

    If you have ever paid much attention to competitive sports, you would realize that a team’s success is measured by championship wins, which normally means winning an overall series of games or events. You would also realize that in order for a sports team to achieve championship success, the team must function to its maximum potential for sustained

  • Dyess, Abilene strong community partners

    One of the most profound things I’ve learned since my arrival at Dyess two years ago is the strength of the relationship between Dyess and the local community. I distinctly remember this topic in several newcomer briefings and conversations, but I didn’t think too much about it at first, as this was my eighth move and I thought I had heard it all
RSS