Commentary Search

  • New stripes mean new responsibilities for Airmen

    Promotions to technical sergeant and master sergeant were released this week and many of our Airmen received good news. Although it's always exciting to be considered for that next stripe, it's important to remember that promotions represent something more than just a raise. The promotion to E-6

  • Cherish time together this Father’s Day

    Once each year we set aside a day to specifically thank the fathers and father figures who have so profoundly touched our lives. It's no secret that fathers play a huge role in shaping the character of their children. What is less visible is how they, along with mothers, help ensure the strength of

  • Mentorship of Airmen: Always a supervisor's responsibility

    The professional and personal aspects of mentorship are perhaps the most critical duties of Air Force supervisors in these days of conflict. We cannot afford for the constant mobilization requisite to fight and win the Global War on Terror to drive us to neglect the necessities of our number one

  • Going back to basics: Today’s trainees tomorrow’s Airmen

    I just returned from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where all the command chief master sergeants from Air Mobility Command gathered for our semi-annual conference. While there, we were able to visit with the newest Airmen at basic military training. It's always good to go back to your roots. Seeing

  • The uniform makes the role model

    This week, in addition to hosting our Rodeo in-progress review committee, McChord also opened its gates to 29 cadets from the Air Force Academy as part of Operation Air Force. For those of you unfamiliar with the program, Operation Air Force allows cadets from the Academy and various ROTC programs

  • ‘Why do <i> they </i> get it?’ Voice your concerns, get involved

    Recently, we had a Free Movie Night and R&B/Rap/Hip-Hop Night for our Airmen -- two separate events put together by professional organizations on base. On Thursday, the 62nd Airlift Wing will also offer free bowling for Airmen after the wing spring sports day. Great ideas don't just magically

  • Keep fitness a top priority, life depends on it

    There's a lot of talk within the Air Force these days about reinvigorating a warrior ethos among Airmen. Simply put, our senior leaders need us to remain vigilant, agile and combat-ready. With the pace and length of deployments continuing to rise, a big part of remaining war-ready is keeping

  • Be prepared for end-of-year fiscal closeout

    Attention all Airmen, noncommissioned officers, junior officers and civilian members: Now is the time to identify any unfunded mission requirements to your supervisors and commanders. As we move closer to the final quarter of the fiscal year, senior level decisions are now being made regarding which

  • Everyone responsible for combating deployment stress

    With deployment cycles constantly revolving, more -- if not all -- Airmen are experiencing what it means to be expeditionary. Some have spent more time being deployed or on a temporary deployment than they have at their home station. While many of us have plenty of fervor about combat missions,