Commentary Search

  • Who told you 'You can't vote?'

    Voting - it is a vital right we in the Armed Forces defend every day. By exercising your right to vote, you are letting your voice be known and telling your civic leaders that you care what decisions are being made. As Andrew Lack, CEO of the Bloomberg Media Group, said, "Bad officials are elected

  • A unique NATO partnership

    If you were to research the Netherlands, you may find information on Amsterdam, wooden shoes or the numerous canals that flow through this small country located in northern Europe. Not many people know we have a small team performing a unique NATO mission in the town of Volkel.At Volkel, you will

  • Bystander intervention matters

    Bystander intervention or stepping in during a potentially dangerous situation can make a huge difference in the lives of those involved. Below is the story of a Spangdahlem Airman who stepped in to stop a potential sexual assault. A few weeks ago, I was out with a group of my friends at a local

  • Reflections on hell

    Morris Stein, grandfather of Tech. Sgt. Erica Stein, 606th Air Control Squadron, native of Pittsburgh, Pa., is a survivor of the Holocaust. In honor of this Holocaust Remembrance Day, Stein has shared her family's story. Any views or opinions presented in this commentary are solely those of the

  • Step up to address toxic leadership

    Whether we like to admit it or not, toxic leaders exist in our Air Force, from front line supervisors to commanding officers.Every Airman must recognize and confront toxic leadership, because it undermines good order and discipline, corrupts the force from the inside out and is counter to a healthy

  • Combat readiness training prepares Airmen

    EDITOR'S NOTE: Airman Nuckolls participated in the 606th Air Control Squadron's combat readiness training exercise here April 13-18. The weeklong exercise simulated a deployment with both instructors judging their every move and volunteers serving as opposition forces to test their effectiveness. 

  • It's all about perspective

    In January 2009, my life abruptly arrived at a fork in the road. While my squadron was making final preparations for our six-month deployment, my wife was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. We were living near Misawa Air Base, Japan at the time, and being a remote base, we were

  • Force management: What’s your label?

    It's not every day you find out your career might be over in the next several months. It doesn't matter your rank, age or occupation, getting this information can make you feel betrayed, angry, scared, worried, or maybe even hopeful and excited. So, for those of you on the chopping block, what's

  • Never saw this coming: Lessons learned in trying times

    Editor's note: After 32 years of service to the Air Force, Maj. Gen. A.J. Stewart passed away March 9th of this year.I had the world by the tail: U. S. Air Force Academy graduate, Air Force pilot, six-time commander, 30-year Air Force career, and two stars; fit, healthy and strong. But subtle

  • Senior leaders challenge Airmen to reaffirm commitment to core values

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody issued the following message to the Airmen of the United States Air Force:Being an Airman is more than a job. When we voluntarily raised our right hands