Commentary Search

  • Personal energy, overproduction

    As I entered technical training in 2005, the first words I heard were, stay fit-to-fight. Listening to our instructor gather opinions and discussing how the physical fitness examination changed from what we experienced through our different commissioning source was definitely a conversation

  • What the heck is an AGOW?

    "What the heck is an AGOW?" I have heard that question more than once during my seven months as the commander. In fact, when I found out I was getting this assignment, I asked the same question.If you don't know what the AGOW is, don't feel bad. There are only two in the U.S. Air Force, and they

  • After the Battle: The return home

    Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a six-part series about medical response capabilities for deployed service members from start to finish and the various milestones for care and transportation of combat-wounded troops throughout Afghanistan.I have spent more than a year telling the story of our

  • Check it or wreck it

    No matter what the mission is, I conduct the same checklist the night prior ... Every single time. I clean my rifle and pistol and conduct my pre-combat checks, pre-combat inspections and function tests. I also look over my body armor and gear from head to toe and go through my checklist. The night

  • Personal energy, overproduction

    By , As I entered technical training in 2005 the first words I heard were, stay fit-to-fight. Listening to our instructor gather opinions and discussing how the physical fitness examination changed from what we experienced through our different commissioning source was definitely a conversation

  • Sick scores, not health

    When I was younger the thought of joining the military terrified me. When I was 16, my older brother joined the Air Force and I couldn't shake the fear I had of him being in a dangerous place. It wasn't until I turned 18 and all of my older brothers joined that I thought, "Maybe this is something I

  • What SAPR stand down day is all about

    Ever since I can remember, I enjoyed helping people. It was something that brought me great happiness. Helping support my friends, family and co-workers was always something that I felt was my mission to do. I felt a personal responsibility to serve others and to relieve the pain of those around me

  • It’s About the Fairness of the Process

    Occasionally, folks around the base will ask me after a court-martial, "What do you think about the result?" The question comes up more often when the accused member is acquitted or when the punishment appears to be somewhat lenient. This occasionally causes me to scratch my head a bit. The apparent

  • Pause for PAWS: Wounded warriors relieve stress with K9 compassion

    For anyone who knows me, it's no surprise I love animals. Specifically, I love dogs, and even more specifically, I love my dogs as though they are my children. I have no intention of ever having a human child, so my three- and four-legged children are my pride and joy.I also love giving back to our

  • USAFE/AFAFRICA re-opens after renovation

    In Early 2009, renovation began on the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Headquarters building at Ramstein Air Base, on what was the first phase of a two-phase construction project. The facility was originally constructed in 1953, a mere ten years after WWII, and had received no