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  • There is no substitute for hard work

    One of the questions I am often asked is, "How did you get promoted to chief master sergeant so quickly, with less than 20 years of service?"  Although there is no easy answer or one specific event that has led me to being in this humbling position, I normally answer by attributing making the rank

  • Resolutions you can definitely keep

    As 2014 comes to a close, thoughts of personal change and new beginnings develop. Hopeful attitudes and renewed determinations quickly dominate Facebook statuses and Twitter updates as people devote themselves to a new lifestyle.However, more often than not, the motivation from so many broad, vague

  • RUfit? Thriving outside the biodome

    Staying fit, sharpening our knowledge about suicide and building resiliency are all hot topics in today's Air Force. As all of these elements are crucial, resiliency encompasses almost everything that weighs heavy in our day-to-day missions.Military families know how difficult times can be when

  • A second Renaissance

    I used to smile more. During those carefree days of my youth when my friends and I would run like lost boys through the woods - building tree forts and "playing Army." The world was simpler then, or maybe I was just that naïve. But one thing is true, the older I get the more the world seems to

  • Strength in Diversity: It's all black and white, isn't it?

    Diversity is a celebration of the differences we have from each other. Air Force policies provide for equal opportunity and treatment for all members irrespective of their race, color, religion, national origin or sex.It has not always been this way. In fact, when our Air Force story began, we

  • An Airman reflects on 67 years

    Today, Sept. 18, marks the 67th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force’s conception. In 1947, the Air Force evolved as its own branch of service from the U.S. Army Air Forces. This momentous occasion in history is a well-known fact, something with which all Airmen should be familiar. But what does the

  • From one Airman to another: Thank you

    Editor's Note: Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden served as a co-emcee for the 67th Anniversary Air Force Ball at Club Eifel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Sept. 13, 2014. The following letter was read during the Ball. It is based on McFadden's day of reporting on two World War II-era Airmen's visit to

  • Strength in diversity: Col. Dunn's perspective

    "None of us is as smart as all of us." Ken BlanchardSo, what's next in terms of diversity?"I think that's the million-dollar question," Jessica L. Wright, the acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness recently said, "We've made significant progress [with diversity], but our work

  • How I learned to stop worrying and love the beat

    Europe has been known to suffer horribly depressing winters and it comes to no surprise that many inhabitants look forward to the glorious relief of summer. Why is summer so fantastic in Europe? What makes it so magical? After nearly completing my tour here I believe I have found the answer: summer

  • Diversity, performance and mission success: A commander's perspective

    How does a front-line Air Force fighter squadron, tasked to deliver combat air power at a moment's notice, incorporate and encourage the broad principles of diversity into its effort?  Quite simply, we cannot accept anything less than a diverse team to achieve mission success.  For a combat fighter